This presentation will introduce the concepts and sacrament of matrimony as defined by the Vatican, the United States Catholic Conference of Bishops, Canon Law and Scripture in regards to the importance and dignity of the sacrament of marriage, the preparation for marriage, and the celebration of matrimony.

1. The Sacrament
of Marriage
Anastasia Jakubow
November, 2018

2. The Sacrament of Matrimony
This presentation will introduce the concepts and sacrament of matrimony as
defined by the Vatican, the United States Catholic Conference of Bishops, Canon
Law and Scripture in regards to the importance and dignity of the sacrament of
marriage, the preparation for marriage, and the celebration of matrimony.

3. Pope Francis' Advice About
Weddings
"Make [your wedding] a real celebration – because marriage is a celebration – a
Christian celebration, not a worldly feast! … What happened in Cana 2,000 years ago,
happens today at every wedding celebration: that which makes your wedding full and
profoundly true will be the presence of the Lord who reveals himself and gives his
grace. It is his presence that offers the 'good wine', he is the secret to full joy, that
which truly warms the heart.
It is good that your wedding be simple and make what is truly important stand out.
Some are more concerned with the exterior details, with the banquet, the
photographs, the clothes, the flowers…These are important for a celebration, but only
if they point to the real reason for your joy: the Lord's blessing on your love." –(Pope
Francis, 2014)

4. Importance
and Dignity of
The Sacrament
of Marriage

5. Sacred and Important
The Sacrament of Marriage is a very sacred and important sacrament.
It is the only sacrament that involves more than one person.
It involves two persons because it is the unity of these two persons that confirm
our Creator - the Author of Marriage and Creation.

6. The Matrimonial New Covenant
1. The matrimonial covenant, by which a man and a woman establish a lifelong
partnership between themselves, derives its force and strength from creation, but for
the Christian faithful it is also raised up to a higher dignity, since it is numbered
among the Sacraments of the new covenant. (1 Cor 7:39; cf. Eph 5:31-32).
A new covenant “between baptized persons has been raised by Christ the Lord to the
dignity of a sacrament.“ (CIC, can. 1055 § 1; cf. GS 48 § 1.)
Furthermore, as stated by Martos (2014), “…the greatest theological consequence of
seeing the act of consent as the sacramentum in marriage was that it made it
possible to regard the marriage contract or bond as the sacramentum et res. “

7. The Matrimonial New Covenant
It is a required that the bride or groom be baptized, have their first communion
and are confirmed* in order to be married in a Catholic Church. This is what
allows for elevation to be a Sacrament in its own right.
7. Through Baptism, which is the Sacrament of faith, a man and a woman are once
and for all incorporated into the covenant of Christ with the Church in such a way
that their conjugal community is assumed into Christ’s charity and is enriched by
the power of his Sacrifice. (Pope John Paul II, 1982) From this new condition it
follows that a valid Marriage between the baptized is always a Sacrament. (C.I.C.,
can. 1055, §2.)(USCCB, 2018)
*Some exceptions can be made but not recommended

8. Careful Choice
Great care must be taken by the couples when choosing and committing to their
future spouse for this time honored and very special sacrament.
As stated by McKenna, “Marriage allows one to draw near as to absorb, without
losing personal integrity, the other person’s presence. This is the ritual and reality of
Marriage” (McKenna, 1997)

9. The Conjugal Covenant
This freedom in choice emulates the free will to choose God. Choosing God and
our spouse allow us to confirm and glorify our Creator.
The sacrament of marriage is a conjugal covenant. As stated in the Order of
Celebrating Matrimony, “A marriage is established by the conjugal covenant, that
is, the irrevocable consent of both spouses, by which they freely give themselves to
each other and accept each other.” (Pope John Paul VI, 1965)(USCCB, 2016).

10. Complete Fidelity
Another important requirement is complete fidelity between the spouses.
“Moreover, this singular union of a man and a woman requires, and the good
of the children demands, the complete fidelity of the spouses and the
indissoluble unity of the bond.” (Pope John Paul VI, 1965)(USCCB, 2016).

11. The Institution of Marriage
It is with clear understanding that procreation capability and willingness is required
due to the ultimate act of Creation to allow for the complete illustration of unity
with God our Creator.
3. Furthermore, the institution of Marriage itself and conjugal love are, by their
very nature, ordered to the procreation and formation of children and find in them,
as it were, their ultimate crown. Children are thus truly the supreme gift of
Marriage and contribute greatly to the good of the parents themselves. (Pope John
Paul VI, 1965) (USSCB, 2018)

12. Responsibilities
It is required that the parents educate their children and help each other to be holy
and People of God
8. By the Sacrament of Matrimony Christian spouses signify and participate in the
mystery of unity and fruitful love between Christ and the Church; (Ephesians 5:25)
therefore, both in embracing conjugal life and in accepting and educating their
children, they help one another to become holy and have their own place and
particular gift among the People of God. (1 Corinthians 7:7) (Pope John Paul VI,
1965)(USSCB, 2018)

13. Love Honor and Respect
It is important that spouses treat each pother with respect, love, and honor. They
must persevere in good and bad times.
9. Through this Sacrament the Holy Spirit brings it about that, just as Christ loved
the Church and gave himself up for her, (Ephesians 5:25) Christian spouses also
strive to nurture and foster their union in equal dignity, mutual giving, and the
undivided love that flows from the divine font of charity. In this way, uniting divine
and human realities, they persevere in good times and in bad, faithful in body and
mind, (Pope John Paul VI, 1965) remaining complete strangers to any adultery and
divorce. (USCCB, 2018)

14. The
Preparation for
Marriage

15. Requirements
– Pastor Approval
– Successful Interview
– Marriage Preparation Program (Pre Cana)
– Forms and Paperwork
– Wedding Plan

16. Pastor Approval
– Pastor must know and agree to the process to begin.
– Pastor will agree to a wedding date.
– Pastor will set up the schedule for marriage preparation

17. Successful Interview
– A meeting with the pastor or deacon to make sure the couple understands the
sacrament and that they are no obstacles or issues to prevent the marriage.
– For a marriage to be valid, persons must be capable of marriage, meaning they
must not have any impediments (cc. 1083-10) to marriage and they must be
capable of consent.

18. Marriage Preparation Program
and PreCana
– An engaged couple should take at least six months to intensively prepare for their
marriage. This goes beyond choosing a date and church, reserving a place for the
reception, and picking out dresses. It means using this time to delve more deeply
into their relationship and approach this momentous day with prayer and reflection.
– An engaged couple marrying in the Catholic Church are required to attend a
PreCana marriage preparation course through an archdiocesan-approved program.
– PreCana, in conjunction with meetings with the priest/celebrant, provides engaged
couples with a comprehensive process for preparing for and living a marriage for a
lifetime.

19. Pre Cana Topics
– Ceremony Planning.
– Spirituality of Marriage
– Family of Origin.
– Communication.
– Conflict Management and Forgiveness
– Marriage as a Sacrament.
– Healthy Sexuality and Intimacy
– Theology of the Body.
– Finances
– Couple Prayer.

20. Forms and Paperwork
– All required sacramental records (Baptism, First Communion and Confirmation)
must be received by the parish
– Completion of pre cana and marriage preparation program must be on file
– Decree of Nullity for the annulment of any previous marriage

21. Ecumenical and Interfaith
Marriages
– A marriage can be regarded at two levels – whether it is valid in the eyes of the Church and
whether it is a sacrament. Both depend in part on whether the non-Catholic spouse is a
baptized Christian or a non-baptized person, such as a Jew, Muslim or atheist.
– If the non-Catholic is a baptized Christian (not necessarily Catholic), the marriage is valid as
long as the Catholic party obtains official permission from the diocese to enter into the
marriage and follows all the stipulations for a Catholic wedding.
– A marriage between a Catholic and another Christian is also considered a sacrament. In fact,
the church regards all marriages between baptized Christians as sacramental, as long as there
are no impediments.
– In cases where a Catholic is marrying someone who is not a baptized Christian – known as a
marriage with disparity of cult. The union between a Catholic and a non-baptized spouse is
not considered sacramental

22. Canonical Form
Required when at least one party is Catholic
– Presence of an official of the Church who assists, i.e., asks for and receives consent in
the name of the Church
– Two witnesses
– According to the requirements of canon law
– Place of Marriage – parish church of either contractant (can be dispensed, c. 1118)
– Liturgical Form observed
– Marriage records – parish of marriage and baptismal parish (Russell, 2018)

23. The
Celebration of
Matrimony

24. The Order of Celebrating
Matrimony
– The Statement of Intentions
– Declaration of Consent (Exchange of Marriage Vows)
– Blessing and Exchange of Rings
– Nuptial Blessing

25. The Entrance Rite
– The Gathering
– The Entrance Procession
– The Greeting
– The Opening Prayer

26. The Liturgy of the Word
– First Reading
– Responsorial Psalm
– Second Reading
– Gospel Reading
– Homily
– Prayer of the Faithful and Creed

27. Couple Selections
– Catholic Wedding Readings
– Catholic Wedding Prayers
– Catholic Wedding Music
“The engaged couple may find it helpful to reflect prayerfully on each reading,
prayers of the faithful and music to choose those that speak to their hopes and
dreams for their Christian marriage.” (USCCB, 2018)

28. The Liturgy of the Eucharist
– Preparation of the Altar and the Prayer Over the Gifts
– Catholic Mass Preface
– Eucharistic Prayer for a Wedding
– Wedding Prayer After Communion

29. The Concluding Rite
– Final Blessing for a Catholic Wedding
– Catholic Wedding Recessional

30. Catholic Wedding Traditions
– Lighting the Unity Candle
– Hispanic Wedding Traditions:
– Pedir la Mano
– Wedding Coins (Arras)
– Asian Wedding Traditions
– Celtic Catholic Wedding Tradition
– Filipino Catholic Wedding Traditions

31. In Conclusion
“A Marriage that is desired, prepared for, celebrated, and lived daily in the light of
faith is that which is “joined by the Church, strengthened by a sacrificial offering,
sealed by a blessing, announced by Angels, “and ratified by the Father. “ (USCCB,
2016).

32. Catholic Wedding Checklist

33. References
1 Corithinans 7:7, 7:39;.
Acta Apostolicae Sedis (A.A.S.) 74, 95;
Champlin, J. Msgr, (2016) Together for Life: Revised with the Order of Matrimony. Ave Maria Press. Notre Dame, IN.
Codex Iuris Canonici (C.I.C.)., can. 1055, §2.
Ephesians 5:25; 5:31-32
Martos, J. (2014). Doors to the Sacred. Ligouri Publications, Ligouri, MO.
McKenna, M. (1997). Rites of Justice. Orbis. Maryknoll, NY.
Pope Francis. (2014). Address of Pope Francis to Engaged Couples Preparing for Marriage. Retrieved from
http://w2.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/speeches/2014/february/documents/papa-francesco_20140214_incontro-
fidanzati.html
Pope John Paul II.(1982). Apostolic Exhortation, Familiaris consortio, no. 13:
Pope John Paul VI. (1965) Gaudium et spes, no. 48., 49, 50.
Pope John Paul VI. (1964). Lumen gentium, no. 11.
Russell, H. (2018). Marriage. Retrieved from
https://sakai.luc.edu/access/lessonbuilder/item/26273994/group/IPS_541_002_3751_1186/Lecture%20Material/Marriage.ppt
USSCB. (2016). The Order Of Celebrating Matrimony. Retrieved from https://litpress.org/Products/GetSample/4641/9780814646410
USCCB. (2018),. Wedding Ceremony. Retrievewd from http://www.usccb.org/issues-and-action/marriage-and-
family/marriage/wedding-ceremony/index.cfm
Vatican. (2018). Article 7 The Sacrament Of Matrimony. Retrieved from
http://www.vatican.va/archive/ccc_css/archive/catechism/p2s2c3a7.htm