SACRAMENT   OF  MARRIAGE

Marriage is a lifelong commitment of love. There are many preparations to be made for this wonderful event and so we request a minimum notice of six months to book a date. Only the prospective bride or groom must arrange this date. Call the parish for an appointment with the pastor.

At that time, certain matters will be discussed. It is necessary to determine the freedom of the couple to marry. Remember, a civil divorce does not automatically free anyone to marry in the Church. If a prior marriage has existed and a civil divorce obtained, it must be examined very closely to see if an annulment was granted, or if the first marriage was valid. Remember, we acknowledge the validity of non-Catholic persons being married in non-Catholic churches. A civil divorce does not automatically free that person to now marry in the Catholic Church.

Catholics wishing to marry in the Church, must be practicing their Faith. The Church is a community; not a gas station where you pull in, fill-up, and pull out again.

Since those wishing to be married are not experts on the subject, they will need all the help they can get. Part of that is the Parish Marriage Preparation Course which is offered on a February weekend. The parish will provide you with a registration form. There are several other meetings, covering areas such as legal and financial issues in marriage as well as the Facilitating Open Couple Communication, Understanding and Study (FOCCUS) inventory.

Annulment of Marriage

Couples entering the holy union of marriage believe that it is forever. It is always unfortunate when marriage breaks down. It is disruptive to many people, especially when children are involved. Sometimes, however, there is no choice and separation is the only alternative. For legal reasons a civil divorce is sometimes the next step. A civil divorce does not affect the status of a Catholic in the practice of his or her Faith. The individual is still free to receive the sacraments and carry on as before. However, this civil divorce does not enable a Catholic to remarry in the Church. If they proceed with a second marriage, it cannot be in the Church. Someone living in this form of union is not free to receive the sacraments e.g.. reconciliation (confession) and holy communion.

For a second marriage to take place, while the spouse is still living, an annulment in the church must be sought. Not all are granted just because they are requested. An annulment determines that an element necessary to the integrity of the marriage was missing at the time of the vows. An annulment procedure can take one to two years, and no wedding date may be set until its outcome is determined. This process is begun with your parish priest.

Convalidation

Every Catholic is required to be married in the presence of a Catholic priest an according to the rite of the Church. For special reasons, a dispensation from the Bishop may be granted to allow otherwise. This dispensation is sought and obtained through your parish priest.

When this dispensation is not obtained, and a Catholic marries outside the jurisdiction of the Church, that is, without a Catholic priest as official witness, it is licit but it is deemed not a valid Catholic one. The Catholic then is not eligible to receive the sacraments e.g. Reconciliation and Eucharist.

Convalidation means that this civil union is now made valid through the exchange of vows in the Church in the presence of a Catholic priest and according to the rite of the Church. Generally, this is a very low-key, and even private event, with two witnesses and immediate family present.

For some, a convalidation is not available. If there has bee a previous marriage for either and no annulment granted, a convalidation is not possible. The parties are not free to marry in the church since their marriage to others is deemed to be licit even though a civil divorce has been obtained.

For others it way be possible. If there had not been a prior marriage, but due to circumstances the couple attempted marriage outside the Church, it may now be made valid.

How do we arrange our marriage?

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