1. Sacraments of Service
Matrimony

2. A Lifelong Covenant God’s plan for Marriage
Importance of God’s covenant
Planned by God at the beginning so that man and woman would be pledged to each other, and to the procreation and education of children
Man leaves his mother and father and clings to his wife, and the two shall be one
Marriage is a sign and symbol of God’s covenant with his people
Marriage and the Old Covenant
Developed slowly
Hosea
Depicts the unconditional love of God for the Israelites
Song of Songs
Love between a man and woman, God and Israel, Jesus and the Church
The Wedding at Cana
Jesus’ presence as a blessing
Sermon on the mount
Exhortation on divorce

3. Witnesses to Love Modeled on Christ’s love for the Church
“24But as the Church is subject to Christ, so also the wives ought to be to their husbands in everything. Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her,…”
Equal partners
Talk things over and make mutual decisions as adults
Indissoluble
As the Church and Christ can not be separated so it is with the marriage covenant

4. The Rite of Marriage Always public and always in Church
God’s love will be shared by the married couple and also the community
In the presence of a priest or deacon, two other witnesses and the community
Hears consent
Gives blessing
The matrimonial covenant becomes a
Religious action
An act of worship
Ministers of the Sacrament
The couple marry each other
Essential element of the rite
Exchange of marriage vows
Words
action

5. Requirements of Marriage
Unity
Marriage unites the husband and wife in an unbreakable and exclusive union. Adultery and polygamy are sins against unity of marriage
Indissolubility
The marriage bond cannot be dissolved. Spouses make a commitment to lifelong fidelity. Divorce and marrying another is a sin against the permanence of Marriage
Openness to children
The couple must be open to children and accept them as gifts from God. Therefore, artificial contraception is a sin against this openness.
Natural Family Planning (NFP) is accepted by the Church as a way to limit the size of your family. This method charts a woman’s fertile time and can be used to prevent a pregnancy.
Artificial contraception includes: birth control pills, “morning after” pills, condoms, diaphragms and other barriers

6. Lifelong Journey The Grace of Matrimony Domestic Church
Prepares the newly married for a lifelong journey
Helps unconditional love
Strengthened for fidelity to each other
Domestic Church
Foundation for the Catholic family
First teachers
Extended family helps
The Gift of Children
A gift not an entitlement
Education
Care
Love

7. Preparing for a Catholic Marriage
Meet with your parish priest as soon as you are engaged.
Set aside at least six months for preparation of the event and to reflect on your relationship and your plans for the future. Set aside time for prayer and discernment.
Attend an approved marriage preparation program.
Pre-Cana conferences
Meet with a married couple
Converse with other engaged couples
Priest or deacon

8. Are you ready? Evaluate your friendships: How well do I listen?
Do I always argue small points?
Do I allow others to have a choice in a friendship?
Do I dominate relationships?
How do I handle conflict?
Impulsively?
How do I feel when my plans are upset for some reason?
Am I angry, resentful, or flexible?
Do I look for ways to include others’ needs in “Plan B?”
Do I admit it when I’m wrong and do I offer an apology?
If I’m right, do I seek to reconcile the misunderstanding?
Do I bring up past mistakes?
Do I understand the “Art of Arguing”?

9. FOCCUS Questions General Questions Agree Disagree Uncertain
We are in agreement about the husband and wife roles each of us expects of the other in our marriage relationship.
There are qualities about my future spouse that I do not respect.
We have discussed the ways our families solved problems and how this may affect our problem solving.
We disagree with each other over some teachings of the church.
I am concerned that in-laws may interfere in our marriage relationship.
My future spouse and I have agreed we will not have children.
My future spouse and I can talk about our sexual fears, hopes and preferences.
We are in agreement about how we will make financial decisions between us.
I sometimes feel that this may not be the right person for me to marry.
My future spouse and I agree that our marriage commitment means we intend to pledge love under all circumstances.

10. UnMarry? Divorce Annulment Attempts to dissolve what is indissoluble
Not accepted by the Church
Is only valid by the state
The marriage never took place. Its validity is in question.
Annulments are granted by the Church after a thorough investigation.
Since a valid marriage did not exist the persons are free to marry in the Church