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The Sacrament of Marriage
- Holy Matrimony is the sacrament by which a baptized man and woman
bind themselves to live together as husband and wife for their whole
life, for the propagation of the human race, and for mutual loving
support.
- We believe that God himself instituted marriage when God made Adam
and Eve. Jesus raised marriage to the dignity of a Holy Sacrament.
- The sacrament of marriage gives grace to the couple so they can
live together, support each other and raise children. Jesus Christ
becomes a part of this new union between man and women and fortifies
their efforts to walk through life together, growing in mutual
understanding, love, and faith.
- Man and woman administer the sacrament to each other by giving
their consent. They make vows to each other that they will live
together helping each other in good times and bad times, in health
and sickness till the end of their lives. Then, the Church through
her minister, a priest or deacon, blesses the union.
- Ordinarily, the sacrament of marriage takes place between two
Catholics. Nevertheless a Catholic party can validly marry a
Christian non-Catholic or a non-baptized person. In these cases,
however, a Catholic party has to obtain a special permission from
the Church authority called dispensation.
- In our Church there is no divorce. With the respect to the Church,
a marriage validly contracted and consummated is dissolved only
through the death of one of the partners. Divorce before the civil
authority does not dissolve a marriage. However, the catholic
marriage, for particular reasons, can be declared as non-existing
form the beginning. This is called annulment. Once annulment is
pronounced by the authority of the church, the involved parties are
free to marry again in the Church.
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These guidelines are meant to be of help to those preparing for the Sacrament
of Marriage. We hope they will answer most of your questions. It is our hope
that your wedding day will be beautiful and meaningful and that these guidelines
will help you to achieve that.
--- PLEASE DO NOT SET ANY DATE FOR THE WEDDING NOR FOR THE RECEPTION WITHOUT
CHECKING WITH THE PRIEST PREPARING YOUR MARRIAGE. --- This must be done four to
six months prior to any perspective date, giving you sufficient time to meet all
the Church requirements in good time.
REQUIREMENTS
- Catholics must present a new Baptismal certificate dated within six months
prior of the wedding arrangements - together with a copy of your
Confirmation and First Holy Communion certificates.
- Both bride and groom must make an appointment with any Priest to prepare
their marriage dossier, which includes to fill out, individually, under
oath, and in the presence of the priest, a pre-nuptial questionnaire. During
this time the Priest may also check into your preparedness for the Sacrament
of Marriage, checking for basic understanding in the Catechism of the
Catholic Church, Faith, Morals and marriage responsibilities.
- All couples will answer a questionnaire as a means of helping the priest
preparing your marriage as well as the couple to determine strengths and
weaknesses regarding the Sacrament of Matrimony for which the couples are
preparing.
- Two relatives (preferably parents) or Catholic friends of each party must
sign individually, under oath, in the presence of a priest the form to
declare the freedom of each party to marry. This should be done one month
prior to your marriage.
- An engagement encounter retreat is mandatory for ALL COUPLES to attend.
Times and dates will be given at the first meeting with the priest.
- If there has been a former marriage, both the Marriage Certificate and the
Death Certificate or Declaration of Nullity must be produced.
- In a marriage of mixed faith, the Catholic party alone is to make a
written promise to attend to the Catholic upbringing of all children born of
the marriage. The non-Catholic is made aware of the Catholic's
responsibility in this matter.
- The couple is required to furnish a marriage license before the wedding
date.
- The Catholic party should attend the Sacrament of Reconciliation
(Confession) before marriage.
PLANNING THE LITURGICAL CEREMONY
The couple, with the priest, will plan the prayers, readings, and wedding
format prior to the ceremony. Liturgical and sacramental preparation should take
precedence over all the other social preparations for marriage.
No wedding will be scheduled during Lent.
MUSIC
It is the responsibility of the couple to arrange for the music for the
wedding mass. A list of musicians is available upon request.
Music is an important part of any wedding and great care should be given to
the selection of appropriate music for your wedding celebration. Music chosen
for your celebration should be liturgical in nature and should lead the
congregation to pray and fully participate in the joyful celebration.
FLOWERS
Floral displays for the altar will be accepted. Any other church decorations
for the pews etc. will be allowed provided that they are not taped or stapled
into the pews and that they are removed after the ceremony.
PHOTOGRAPHS
Most professional photographers are aware of the requirements concerning
photographs during the ceremony; however, the bride and groom are responsible
for communicating proper decorum to their photographer. At no time may taking of
pictures interfere with the ceremony. If you have any questions, contact the
priest who is preparing your wedding.
MISCELLANEOUS
No rice, confetti, bird seed, flower petals etc. is allowed is to be thrown
in the Church or on the grounds. Food and drink are not permitted in the Church.
The wedding group is expected to leave the Church and its grounds as clean as
they found them.
Punctuality for the ceremony is very important, so as not to disrupt the
liturgical services that may follow your wedding mass.
Costs
The donation for the wedding mass may be arranged with the priest.
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