Marriage

The Sacrament of Matrimony signifies the union of Christ and the Church. It gives spouses the grace to love each other with the love with which Christ has love His Church. The grace of the Sacrament perfects the human love of the spouses, strengthens their indissoluble unity and sanctifies them on the way to eternal life.

To celebrate the Sacrament of Matrimony, couples need to meet with a priest or deacon one year before the date to begin marriage preparation. Preparations will include participation in a diocesan sponsored Pre-Cana or Engaged Encounter Program and meetings with the priest or deacon.

Other preparatory programs, such as those suited for individuals entering a second marriage, are also available from the Archdiocese. The priest or deacon will discuss these programs with engaged couples to help them make any necessary arrangements.

The Pre-Cana program at St. Mary's offers marriage preparation to engaged couples. They seek to teach communication skills and to educate couples on the teaching of the Church on the Sacrament of Marriage. This program consists of 1 weekend where several couples come together to pray and listen and dialogue. Several married couples will lead the engaged couples through the preparation activities.

Congratulations on your decision to commit yourselves to one another in the Sacrament of Matrimony! May the Lord bless and sustain your love for one another as you share that love with your family and friends and the whole Church.