TALK # 8 CHRISTIAN MARRIAGE

CHRISTIAN MARRIAGE Objectives To present to the participants, the Catholic understanding and perspective of the Marital Union To present clearly the symbols used in every Catholic wedding and their significance and meaning To clearly present the marks of the Sacramental Union To inculcate in the minds of the couples that there are required documents to be submitted and provisions of the Family Code the need to be complied with before a Catholic wedding can be solemnized.

Catholic Marriage It is a Contract It is a legal, binding Contract Uses standard legal forms Stipulates agreement between the contracting parties : man and woman

Catholic Marriage It is a SOLEMN VOW, a COVENANT It is a SACRAMENT In GOD’s presence It is a SACRAMENT Marks of a sacrament Heavenly graces and blessings Ministers Thru symbols It is a VOCATION It is the Couples’ response to God’s Call to Life

SYMBOLS AND THEIR SIGNIFICANCE TO THE COUPLE Those popularly acknowledged Candles - symbolizes the love of Christ; like the candle, Christ’s love and that of the couple is unselfish in that in giving love, the giver consumes itself Rings – are constant reminders of the Holy Spirit, as the binding love between the Father and the Son, and His presence in every marriage, as the binding love between human persons. (“endless love”) Arrhae – symbol of sufficiency and material possessions which the husband offers to his wife, not to be attached to but to be used as a means to attain salvation

SYMBOLS AND THEIR SIGNIFICANCE TO THE COUPLE Veil – covering the head of the bride and the shoulders of the groom to show that as Christ is the head of the Church, so is the husband the head of the wife; also it could symbolize the Church spreading its mantle of protection over the husband and the wife Cord or Yugal – symbolizes strength, unity of both husband and wife in pulling together at the same pace that they carry their burdens

SYMBOLS AND THEIR SIGNIFICANCE TO THE COUPLE Less popularly known Procession White gown and suit Nuptial Blessings Joining of Hands

MARKS OF SACRAMENTAL UNION INDISSOLUBILITY (Di mabubuwag ninoman) TILL DEATH (Hanggang Kamatayan) FIDELITY (Laging tapat at walang pagtataksil) FECUND (Mabunga)

Documents Needed and Other Requirements Baptismal Certificate marked “for Marriage Purposes” Certificate of Confirmation Marriage License / Civil Marriage Contract Pre Cana Seminar Interview Banns for three consecutive weeks Parents permission to marry when either bride or groom or both are of minor age Other pertinent parts of Philippine Family Code