Marriage
The Sacrament of Marriage is a beautiful covenant and mystery, strengthened by God’s love. God intended the relationship between a man and woman in marriage to mirror the love between Christ and His Church. Because of the sacredness of this union between husband and wife, Christ provided the Church with many graces that flow from the Sacrament of Holy Matrimony, as a means of assisting husbands and wives to love each other with a deep and holy love.
Take time to learn more about the Church’s teachings on marriage and explore the resources we have provided to help you better understand and live out this beautiful sacrament, so you can experience the happiness and peace that flow from a marriage blessed by God.
“Therefore a man leaves his father and his mother and cleaves to his wife,?and they become one flesh.” (Gen. 2:4)
“So they are no longer two but one flesh.?What therefore God has joined together, let not man put asunder.” (Matt. 19:6)
Checklist Key to a Successful Catholic Marriage
Twelve months prior to the wedding
• Call the Parish and setup a meeting with Father Pierz, our pastor.
• Meet with the priest or deacon of your choosing to select a wedding date and time, and discuss the diocesan requirements for a wedding celebration. You'll setup additional two or three meetings for the future as well.
• Choose one of three Rites of Marriage to celebrate: Wedding celebration within a Mass for two Catholics; celebration without Mass, structured around the Liturgy of the Word when a Catholic marries a baptized Christian; and celebration without Mass when a Catholic marries a non-Christian.
Nine months prior to the wedding
• Select readings (traditionally, one from the Old Testament, one from the New Testament and one from the Gospels) and Prayers of the Faithful from the approved texts.
• Select family members or friends who will be lectors, extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion, and those who will carry the offertory gifts if Mass will be celebrated.
• Meet with either Kathy Galluzzo at Holy Trinity or Steve Glover at Blessed Sacrament to select sacred music that will be used before and during the ceremony.
• Discuss dates to attend premarital classes or a Pre-Cana program required by the Diocese of Springfield.