Sacrament of Marriage

What is the Sacrament of Marriage? 

Sacred Scripture begins with the creation and union of man and woman and ends with "the wedding feast of the Lamb" (Rev 19:7, 9). Scripture often refers to marriage, its origin and purpose, the meaning God gave to it, and its renewal in the covenant made by Jesus with his Church.

God created man and woman out of love and commanded them to imitate his love in their relations with each other. Man and woman were created for each other. "It is not good that the man should be alone. I will make a suitable partner for him. . . . The two of them become one body" (Gn 2:18; 24). Woman and man are equal in human dignity, and in marriage both are united in an unbreakable bond.

Jesus brought to full awareness the divine plan for marriage. In John’s Gospel, Christ’s first miracle occurs at the wedding in Cana. “The Church attaches great importance to Jesus’ presence at the wedding in Cana. She sees in it the confirmation of the goodness of marriage and the proclamation that thenceforth marriage will be an efficacious sign of Christ’s presence” (CCC, no. 1613).

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 symbolizes the marriage of Christ and his Church." 

The Sacrament of Marriage is a covenant, which is more than a contract. Covenant always expresses a relationship between persons. The marriage covenant refers to the relationship between the husband and wife, a permanent union of persons capable of knowing and loving each other and God. The celebration of marriage is also a liturgical act, appropriately held in a public liturgy at church. Catholics are urged to celebrate their marriage within the Eucharistic Liturgy.

©2016 United States Conference of Catholic Bishops

Preparing for the Sacrament of Marriage

The decision to marry is both profound and joyous. Couples desiring to celebrate the Sacrament of Marriage must be registered in a parish. Parishioners are to contact the pastor to begin the process by completing a comprehensive Pre-Marriage Inventory or questionnaire, followed by an interview with the pastor. This takes place before the wedding date and church is reserved. When the wedding date is finalized the couple schedules a date to begin their marriage formation program. Non-parishioners must contact the pastor to set a wedding date and reserve the church, participate and complete their registered parish's marriage formation program, and secure a priest or deacon to be present for the rehearsal and preside at the celebration. 

The Sacrament of Marriage is part of a wider parish experience of prayer. The Sacrament of Marriage is an act of worship and, although it has its own special quality, should have those elements common and central to all acts of worship. Therefore, the parish’s normal celebration of Sunday (Mass) worship should be the example in preparing the liturgy in which the Sacrament of Marriage will be celebrated within.

The celebration of the Sacrament of Marriage belongs to the whole church. You, the bride and groom, are the principal ministers of the sacrament: you marry each other. You promise each other lasting love and fidelity. You do this before the minister of the Church and the assembly gathered, a gathering of family, friends, and neighbors — the People of God — the Church itself!

Welcome! We congratulate you on the occasion of your engagement and upcoming marriage. If you are considering the Historic St. Boniface Catholic Church or St. Meinrad Catholic Church as the place for you to celebrate the Sacrament of Marriage, we want to support and assist you in the best way possible as you embark on this very important and joy-filled commitment in your lives.