“God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. And God blessed them and said to them: ‘Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth, and have dominion over it.’” (Genesis 1,27-28)
God established marriage in the earthly paradise itself, when he said: “It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper like himself”, and then to Adam and Eve: “Be fruitful and multiply, fill the earth and subdue it.” Marriage between the baptised Jesus raised to the dignity of a sacrament, saying: “What God has joined together, let no one put asunder.”
Through the sacrament of Matrimony the spouses are given parental authority and the grace to bring up their children in God’s name. The sacramental bond of marriage lasts until the death of the husband or of the wife. The sacrament of Matrimony is indissoluble; it can be declared null only by the authority of the Church.
Marriage is a covenant between two people of different sex, ordered to a shared life, to bodily union and to the raising of children. The Catholic Church therefore holds that marriage was established by God in the very creation of man, as an important institution within his plan. Marriage should accordingly be one (between one husband and one wife) and should not be dissolved in any case whatsoever. Unity and indissolubility are the essential properties of marriage.
DO YOU WISH TO BE MARRIED IN CHURCH?
• the bride and the groom must decide on the marriage themselves and freely;
• the parish priest must be informed at least 6 months before the wedding;
• bring a birth certificate no more than 6 months old;
• Bring a baptismal certificate no more than 6 months old. For an Orthodox party, one of the parents must here sign a declaration of free status, that is, proof that you have not so far entered into a church marriage.
• you must attend a marriage preparation course and bring the certificate;
• a certificate of civil marriage must be obtained from the registrar:
• all other information to do with the wedding (decorating the church, music, singing and the rest) can be had at the parish office.
If you decide to be married in our parish, get in touch with us once you have gathered all the necessary documents, so that we can meet and begin the marriage procedure.