Matrimony

Matrimony

“So they are no longer two but one. What therefore God has joined together, let not man put asunder.” (Matthew 19:6)

About the Sacrament of Matrimony

The Sacrament of Matrimony is the lifelong covenant by which a man and a woman establish a partnership of the whole of life. Christ raised marriage between baptized persons to the dignity of a sacrament, making it a visible sign of His love for the Church.

Through this sacrament, husband and wife receive grace to love one another faithfully, to support each other through every circumstance of life, and to build a family rooted in faith.

A valid marriage is a lifelong covenant between one man and one woman. When both spouses are baptized, their marriage becomes a sacrament — a visible sign of Christ’s union with His Church.

The Church teaches that marriage is ordered toward the good of the spouses and the procreation and education of children. Within this covenant, husband and wife are called to faithful unity, mutual self-giving, and openness to the gift of new life.

Who Can Marry in the Catholic Church?

The Church teaches that the parties to a marriage covenant are “a baptized man and woman, free to contract marriage, who freely express their consent.”

A Baptized Man and Woman
Christian sacramental marriage is between one baptized man and one baptized woman.
Free to Contract Marriage
To be free means not being under constraint and not being impeded by natural or ecclesiastical law.
Free Consent
The man and the woman must freely express their consent, since the exchange of consent is the indispensable element that makes the marriage.

Preparing for Marriage at St. Patrick

Couples who wish to be married at St. Patrick Parish should contact the parish as early as possible so that preparation can begin.

Marriage preparation is intended not only to help plan a wedding day, but to prepare a man and a woman for a lifelong sacramental vocation rooted in Christ and His Church.

Preparation may include meetings with the priest, sacramental documentation, marriage preparation classes, and guidance for planning the wedding liturgy.

Spanish Preparation
Spanish-language marriage preparation classes are coordinated by Octavio & Monica Tellez.
English Preparation
For English-language marriage preparation, please contact the parish office or speak with the parish priest for current options and scheduling.

Why Catholics Marry in the Church

Catholics are ordinarily bound to celebrate marriage according to the form of the Church. This means that Catholics normally marry in the Catholic Church, before a priest or deacon, and in the presence of witnesses, unless a dispensation has been granted.

This is not simply a rule about ceremony or location. It reflects the truth that Christian marriage is a sacred vocation lived within the life of the Church.

Previous Marriages and Annulments

Jesus taught that marriage is a lifelong covenant: “So they are no longer two but one. What therefore God has joined together, let not man put asunder.” (Matthew 19:6)

When questioned about divorce, Christ explained: “For your hardness of heart Moses allowed you to divorce your wives, but from the beginning it was not so.” (Matthew 19:8)

St. Paul likewise teaches that marriage is a sacred sign of Christ’s love for His Church: “This mystery is a profound one, and I am saying that it refers to Christ and the Church.” (Ephesians 5:32)

Because marriage is sacred and permanent, the Church carefully examines whether the essential elements of a valid marriage were present from the beginning when questions arise about a previous union.

This process is called a Declaration of Nullity, often referred to as an annulment.

An annulment is not a “Catholic divorce.” Rather, it is a declaration by the Church that a valid sacramental marriage was not present from the beginning due to the absence of some essential element required for marriage. If you have questions about a previous marriage, please contact the parish priest. The parish can help guide you through this process with pastoral care.

Common Questions About Marriage

Do both people have to be Catholic?
No. A Catholic may marry another baptized Christian, and in some cases may also marry a non-baptized person with the required permission from the Church.
Do Catholics have to be married in the Church?
Ordinarily, yes. Catholics are normally bound to marry according to the form of the Church unless a dispensation has been granted.
What if one or both of us have been married before?
Please speak with the parish priest as early as possible. A prior marriage may need to be reviewed before a new marriage can take place in the Church.
What is an annulment?
An annulment, or Declaration of Nullity, is a process by which the Church examines whether a previous marriage was valid from the beginning. It is not the same thing as divorce.
Do I need Confirmation before getting married?
Catholics are ordinarily expected to have received Baptism, First Holy Communion, and Confirmation before marriage. If one of these sacraments is missing, the parish can help you determine the next steps.
Are marriage preparation classes required?
Yes. Marriage preparation is a normal part of preparing for the sacrament and helps couples enter marriage with seriousness, understanding, and faith.
How do we begin?
The first step is to contact the parish office and speak with the priest. The parish will help guide you through each part of the preparation process.