1. TALK # 8
CHRISTIAN MARRIAGE

2. 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.

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

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

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

9. 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