HOLY MATRIMONY
"From the beginning of creation, 'God made them male and female. For this reason, a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.’ So they are no longer two but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, no human being must separate.” (Mark 10:6-9)
You have fallen in love, and now you're engaged. Congratulations! The Church rejoices with you as you contemplate the rest of your lives together. THe Sacrament of Matrimony is God's gift to His people wherein husband and wife share a communion of life that reflects the very love of God. This love binds the couple together and is so powerful that, with God's help, it even leads to the creation of life itself. What a blessing to share this holy time!
If you wish to celebrate the Sacrament of Matrimony and be married here at our Parishes, there are a few simple steps to follow to make the arrangements: (For more details about the process, click on the "Details..." button below.)
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1. Contact a priest or deacon six months prior to your anticipated wedding day. Once you've met with a clergy member, we can set a date for the Big Day. If you have been married before, it is helpful if you begin preparations a year before, since it may be necessary to assist you with the annulment process.
2. Sign up for a Marriage Preparation class or retreat. The Church wants your Marriage to be successful, and so we offer preparation courses to assist couples to navigate the blessings and challenges that married life offers. The priest or deacon can assist you in identifying the course that is best for you. Also, you can visit our diocesan website, Marriage, For Love and Life, for more information.
3. Follow up a few times with your priest or deacon. We are happy to walk with you both through the road to the Big Day. In these simple meetings, we can discuss arrangements for the celebration - everything from the prayers and readings, to music, to flower girls and ring bearers.
4. Rehearse! Usually, the evening before the wedding day, we gather with bride and groom, their families, the wedding party, and anyone else playing a part in the celebration to rehearse and answer last-minute questions. Rehearsals are typically one hour.
5. Above all: PRAY! This is a holy time of preparation for a grace-filled life of Holy Matrimony. Everything we do should begin, proceed, and end with prayer. As a couple, get used to sharing time of prayer with one another. God wants to be a part of your Marriage as well!