Marriage

The Church wants your wedding to be perfect for both of you and so will encourage you to concentrate on what it takes to make it a successful and happy union. True love for one another is built upon the love of God.

By their marriage, the couple witnesses Christ’s spousal love for the Church. One of the Nuptial Blessings in the liturgical celebration of marriage refers to this in saying, ‘Father, you have made the union of man and wife so holy a mystery that it symbolises the marriage of Christ and his Church.’

Husband and wife are called to mirror Christ in Holy Matrimony. They are called to give of themselves in a manner that is free, total, faithful, and fruitful. According to the Lord’s own teaching, the matrimonial union is indissoluble (see Matthew 19:4-6, Mark 10:7-9), just as Christ never withdraws his love from us in spite of our failings.

Marriage is the call to be open to life, to receive it as a gift, and to bring it into the world. God has intended the act of marital love as the means of expressing our desire for intimacy, one in which we, as responsible parents, are open to the gift of life. Marriage is fashioned by God as the institution by which children are welcomed into the world, loved, and come to know their heavenly Father. Through marriage preparation, the Church hopes all couples will be able to discern how this beautiful vocation is about growing in uniting love and cooperating with God in creating His children.

In this Parish, those seeking to be joined in Holy Matrimony are requested to give at least six months’ notice to the Parish Priest. Please do not arrange your reception until the Parish Priest has confirmed that the date is available.