The Sacrament of Matrimony Chapter Four The Sacrament of Matrimony

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

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

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

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

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

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

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?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Vocabulary Fiancée Impediments Natural Family Planning Marriage Banns Covenant Domestic Church