Matrimony or Marriage

At the very beginning of Sacred Scripture, we find God creating.  The pinnacle of creation is the creation of man and woman on His own image and likeness, giving them dominion over creation, and charging them to "be fruitful and multiply". (Gn 1:28)  Jesus reinforced the view of marriage as the indissoluble union of one man and one woman by reciting fro Genesis 2:24 "That is why a man leaves his father and mother and clings to his wife, and the two of them become one body."  When question specifically about being able to divorce, Jesus refers to the creation story saying, "Because of the hardness of your hearts Moses allowed you to divorce your wives, but from the beginning it was not so."

The Sacrament of Matrimony. or Marriage,  is important to the Church for two big reasons.  First, Marriage as a Sacrament models Jesus' love for His Church, and the love of the Church for Jesus.  It is to imitate the total self-giving that Jesus showed us on the cross.  Second, through the nuptial union, a married couple participated in the Genesis story of creation by becoming co-creators with God to conceive and raise children.

The Church teaches that marriage must have a four-fold character; Free, Total, Faithful, and Fruitful.

Free: Each person enters the relationship by choice, with not coercion, no deception, and no restriction.

Total: Through their vows, the each person gives herself or himself totally to the other person.  Not 50:50, but 100:100.

Faithful: The couple vows to lifelong marital fidelity.

Fruitful: A couple also vows to be open to life in their marital relations.  Trusting in God's providence is vital.

Important Information if You are Considering Marriage

 Anyone contemplating marriage must contact the parish office at least 6 months before setting a date, reserving a hall, or any other modern aspects of getting marriage.  Only after consultation with the pastor or his delegate can the other things begin.