As a Contract As a Covenant As a Sacrament As a Celebration and a Vocation

 To explain marriage as contract and covenant  To identify the ends and properties of marriage  To help the students to understand fidelity in marriage  To thank God for the gift of love through the sacrament of marriage

Family Code of the Philippines: “ A special contract of permanent union between man and woman entered into in accordance with law for the establishment of conjugal and family life. It is the foundation of the family and an inviolable social institution whose nature, consequences and incidents are governed by law and not subject to stipulations”

Author: Naturally, marriage must always be seen in reference to God as its author Requirement: As contract, marriage requires the “will” Through the free, mutual act of consent given, man and woman enter into the conjugal union

 Contract: involves pledge, rules and penalties: focus is on the matter agreed on by the parties making the contract  Covenant: it centers on the persons; its motivation is love

Thus it is a love-covenant, which immediately brings into highlight the biblical dimension of marriage Biblically: Covenant is the relationship between God and man (Gen. 17:1) characterized by love, sacrifice forgiveness and faithfulness

ENDS OF MARRIAGE: 1. The good of the spouses- fidelity and openness to the fertility 2. Good of the children

1. Unity or exclusiveness: enriched by the spouses faithfulness 2. Indissolubility or permanence: enriched by the spouses’ struggles for lastingness 3. Openness to fertility: enriched by fruitfulness in the married life

Christ raised marriage to a sacrament to make it essentially different from marriage as a natural institution Biblical Foundation 1.Jn. 2: Mt. 19:3 3.1 Cor. 7:9 4.Eph. 5:32

Sacrament is a sensible sign instituted by Christ to give grace It is an efficacious sign of invisible grace Basic Elements: 1.The sign or its symbolic element (sacrament) 2.The saving grace it provides (effect) 3.The saving presence of Christ

Marriage as symbol  It speaks of the basic aspects of human existence: life and love  Christians have always accepted the symbolic element of marriage (marriage is natural institution and a sacrament)

 Sign- element of the sacrament of matrimony: mutual gift and acceptance of each other  Pius XI: the valid matrimonial consent between man and woman as willed by Christ is a sign of grace (CC 1930)

Marriage as a Sign of the Saving Presence of Christ  The husband and wife become a reminder of the presence of Christ  Why? Because marriage would not be possible except through, with and in Christ (CFC1990)

Marriage as Saving Grace  Effects of marriage: (1) indissolubility and (2) the grace of the sacrament proper to marriage  By the grace of the sacrament: marriage bond is further strengthened and the indissolubility of marriage receives new meaning  The couples were also strengthened and consecrated for duties and dignities

Validity of Marriage  Valid marriage between baptized man and woman is by that fact is a sacrament  It must be held in the Church  No valid marriage except the sacrament of matrimony  Through the sacrament of matrimony, the couple receives grace for it is a channel of grace

 Wedding ceremony- momentous event for the couple Why? - fulfillment of their dreams - final answer for their longing to be one - a moment of triumph - a moment of gratitude - a moment filled with emotions (joy and excitement)

Ceremony - the Church requires the submit themselves to the standard rite (liturgical form) Why marry in the Church? - it is a requirement - a public declaration of their love- commitment before Christ and his Church

Ministers: couple Role of Church’s minister: - Expression that marriage is ecclesial reality - Witness Celebrated within the mass- connection of matrimony in the paschal mystery of Christ

Vocation- “calling” Marriage is a call by God to come to a closer union with him and with His Church - call to holiness - way to holiness

Vocation: a gift and a mission Gift: a source of joy, a source of blessings a source of gratitude a source of grace for husband and wife

Mission: a source of challenges 1.A call to parenthood: quality of children 2.A call to holiness 3.A call to carry the cross