1. The Sacrament of Matrimony
Chapter Four
The Sacrament of Matrimony

2. Development of the Sacrament
Early Church:
Celebrated in the same way that local cultures had for centuries
Father of the bride handed over his daughter to the groom
Bride wore a ceremonial gown and veil
The couple joined their right hands
Exchange of rings

3. Development of the Sacrament
Seventeenth Century
Church became more involved in wedding ceremony
Bishop or priest gives nuptial blessing
Intended for the bride and the marriage covenant; takes place after the couple gives their consent to be married
Eventually the wedding ceremony developed into a liturgical rite performed at church rather than in the home

4. Development of the Sacrament
Middle Ages
Ceremony became very formal
Helped counteract the abuses of secret marriages
Twelfth Century
Church made it explicit that marriage is one of the Seven Sacraments
Taught that marriage was to be a sacrament lasting until the death of a spouse and prohibited divorce and remarriage

5. Preparing for Marriage
Preparation for marriage begins during infancy and extends through childhood and adolescence
Arranged marriages
One family makes an agreement to promise their daughter to the son of another family
Love was understood to follow and grow out of marriage
The more common method begins with a feeling of infatuation followed by a possible friendship allowing the two people to get to know each other on a deeper basis

6. Preparing for Marriage
First two predictors of a successful marriage:
Family life
That the spouses came from similar family backgrounds
That the spouses had parents with long and successful marriages

7. Preparing for Marriage
Benefits of Dating
A man and woman get to know each other by sharing many varying activities and experiences together
Gives two people a chance to see if they are compatible
A man and woman stand a better chance of having a good relationship if they have:
Come from same social group
Same or similar values
Practice same religion
Similar interests

8. Preparing for Marriage
A person who is getting serious about a dating partner should ask questions such as:
How does my partner treat me?
How does my partner treat others?
Is this person someone I will be proud to marry in front of my family and friends?
Is this a person with whom I want to have and raise children?

9. Requirements for a Catholic Wedding
Marriage is permitted in the parish where one of the persons lives or has established at least a month long residence
Civil laws determine legality of marriage
Example: age requirements vary state to state
Church laws set requirements for the sacrament
Couple must be of mature age, unmarried, willing to have children, and must be freely giving consent to marriage

10. Requirements for a Catholic Wedding
Matrimonial consent is the most important since it determines the validity of marriage
During the preparations a priest interviews the couple separately to find out if impediments exist
impediments: external circumstances or facts that prevent a sacramental or religious marriage from taking place

11. Requirements for a Catholic Wedding
A man under age 16 and a woman under 14 cannot validly enter marriage
A priest may not be validly married
If either the man or woman is physically incapable of sexual intercourse, the marriage is not valid
A person may not marry descendents in a direct line whether or not the relationship is by blood or marriage

12. Requirements for a Catholic Wedding
If one of the partners is not Catholic
Permission for the marriage must come from the local bishop
The Catholic partner must promise that he or she will do all in his or her power to have the children baptized and raised in the Catholic church
The non-Catholic partner is informed of the promises made by the Catholic partner
Both partners are instructed in the requirements of the Sacrament of Matrimony and family life

13. Parish Preparations Pre-marriage inventory Engaged Encounter/ Pre-Cana
Helps a couple gauge the effectiveness of their communication with one another
FOCCUS (Facilitating Open Couple Communication Understanding and Study)
One of the most widely used inventories
Engaged Encounter/ Pre-Cana
A weekend retreat, series of classes, or parish based program
A time to listen to presentations and reflect before meeting one- on-one with the future spouse

14. Celebration of Marriage
Marriage is a sacred covenant
An agreement between the couple and God
Modeled on the faithfulness Yahweh exhibited in his covenant with the Israelites in the Old Testament
Reflects the New Covenant established by Christ at the Last Supper and with his Death on the cross
Marriage is usually celebrated during mass because it is in the Eucharist that the New Covenant is realized

15. Celebration of Marriage
Elements of Mass
Liturgy of the Word which shows the importance of Christian marriage in the history of salvation
Nuptial blessing
Consent of the spouses to marry
Reception of Holy Communion by the bride and groom and all present

16. Vocabulary Fiancée Impediments Natural Family Planning Marriage Banns
Covenant
Domestic Church