MARRIAGE

For Catholics, the Sacrament of Marriage, or Holy Matrimony, is a public sign that one gives oneself totally to the other person. It is also a public statement about God: the loving union of husband and wife speaks of family values and also God’s values. In other words, Matrimony is a sacrament and as such, it is a sign to the world of the invisible God living in our midst – the living God who bears fruit in the lives of two people. They are a continual sign of His Power in the world. There are special grace and power within every couple God has joined together. 

Through this holy sacrament, the man and woman become one, for as the Lord Jesus said, “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 then, they are no longer two but one flesh.  Therefore, what God has joined together, let not man separate” (Matthew 19:5,6). St. Paul expressed the sanctity of the Sacrament of Christian Matrimony, saying, “This is a great mystery” (Ephesians 5:32), and, “Marriage is honourable among all and the bed undefiled” (Hebrews 13:4).

“The matrimonial covenant, by which a man and a woman establish between themselves a partnership of the whole of life, is by its nature ordered toward the good of the spouses and the procreation and education of offspring; this covenant between baptized persons has been raised by Christ the Lord to the dignity of a sacrament” (Catechism of the Catholic Church N. 1601)

Couples should speak to the pastor at least twelve months in advance before their wedding date to make necessary arrangements also contact Cathedral office for further information. It is a requirement to complete an approved marriage preparation program.