THE SACRAMENT OF HOLY MATRIMONY
The Catholic Church believes and teaches that Christian marriage is the union of a baptized man and woman who freely enter a covenant of love with each other in Christ for the purpose of giving and receiving love and for the procreation and education of children. Married couples live their sacrament by the way they care for and COMMIT to one another, love one another, and are enthusiastic for one another as husband and wife. As they work their way through marital and family crises and struggles, they are witness to the power of the Holy Spirit at work in all our lives. To live out this ideal Christian marriage, couples must have the ability to give and receive love and to sustain an intimate relationship. They must also have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and His Body, the Church.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church #1601 sums this up thus: “The matrimonial covenant, by which a man and a woman establish between themselves a partnership of the whole of life, is by its nature ordered toward the good of the spouses and the procreation and education of offspring; this covenant between baptized persons has been raised by Christ the Lord to the dignity of a sacrament.”
THE REQUIREMENTS FOR GETTING MARRIED IN THE CATHOLIC CHURCH
1. Neither partner must have been married in the past (either religiously or civilly).
2. If a Catholic, then it is expected that you are not only Baptised (with proof: e.g: Baptism Certificate) but also Confirmed. If you are not Confirmed we highly recommend that you join 'RCIA' Group, so that you can be Confirmed at Easter. You can speak to the priest or deacon about this.
3. Couples are requested to give a minimum of 12 months’ notice and to meet with one of the clergy.
4. They are required to take part in a Marriage Preparation Programme. This applies to all proposed marriages regardless of where the wedding will take place. Preparation is also offered to couples due to marry outside the parish.
5. If the Marriage takes place in the UK you will need to register your desire to marry with the Registry Office (this will be explained by the priest)
6. All the necessary paperwork and Canonical permissions will be explained by the clergy.