We recently submitted our annual Pastoral Report to the Archdiocese. All good news! The report lists the frequency of Sacramental celebrations. The report offers the number who have been baptized, confirmed, and received First Eucharist. Additionally, questions are asked about the other Sacraments, such as the number of men who are studying for the priesthood or diaconate, those who have been anointed, and the number of marriages.
There were seven Marriages celebrated last year at Our Lady of Peace Parish, an increase of one from the previous year. Congratulations to everyone! The Sacrament of Marriage may be received during the celebration of Mass or at a Liturgy of the Word ceremony without Eucharist. Marriages may be celebrated at either Our Lady of Peace Church or at Notre Dame de Lourdes. Marriages traditionally are celebrated either on Saturday afternoon, or Friday evening. There was a Wednesday afternoon Marriage last year on the day before Thanksgiving. Champagne and Cranberries!
There was one Convalidation of a Marriage last year. Convalidations are often called a “blessing” of a civil Marriage. A convalidation is a full Sacramental Marriage for couples who are already married but who wish to be married “in the eyes of the Church.” Convalidations may occur during a celebration of Mass or during a Liturgy of the Word ceremony.
Marriage preparation begins no later than six months before the proposed wedding date. Marriage preparation includes Pre-Cana classes, liturgical preparation, conversations regarding the purpose of marriage, the intent of marriage, and the consent. Required documentation for marriage includes a fresh baptismal certificate for each person, a county issued marriage license, forms that indicate there is no existing bond for either person – sacramental or civil. If there was a prior bond, a divorce degree would be required (for civil marriage), and an annulment degree (for a sacramental marriage).
Marriages between a Catholic and a non-Catholic person may be celebrated in a Catholic Church. Since only one of the spouses will be receiving Eucharist, and since many of the guests attending may not be of the Catholic faith, these marriages usually occur as part of a Liturgy of the Word ceremony without the reception of Holy Eucharist.
We also had two celebrations last year where couples renewed their vows in recognition of their golden anniversaries! “Word of God, enthroned, dwell in us forever more. Love has come to show the way. Peace be with us; love has come to show the way.” (“Love Has Come”, Matt Maher – Breaking Bread #428)
Quick Glance Catechism – Matrimony
- Marriage: Marriage is a vocation and a sacrament of service which celebrates the covenant of love between a man and woman.
- Purpose of Marriage: to provide for the spiritual and physical well-being of both spouses, the procreation and education of children, and for service to the Church.
- Intent of Marriage: Unity, indissolubility and openness to fertility.
- Marital Consent: The Church holds the exchange of consent between the spouses to be the indispensable element that ‘makes the marriage.’ If consent is lacking, there is no marriage. It is an act of free will. If this freedom is lacking the marriage is invalid.
- Marriage Bond: a valid marriage is a bond (covenant) between the spouses which by its very nature is perpetual and exclusive.
- Fidelity: it is faithfulness and loyalty to something or someone (in marriage, to the spouses).
- Domestic Church: the Christian family is called the domestic church because it is the first place that children learn about God, prayer, and virtues.
- Annulment: those who have been divorced and who wish to be married must first obtain a decree of nullity (annulment), stating that their previous relationship was not a valid marriage. Based on the documentation submitted to the local Diocesan Tribunal, the Church determines the validity of the marriage in question.
- Tribunal: an ecclesiastical (Church) court made up of one or more competent judges who consider all testimony, applying canon law, and rendering a declaration of verdict.
- Who can bless and witness the marriage in the Church? Either Priests or Deacons.