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Holy Matrimony
What is Matrimony?
Matrimony is the sacrament through which a baptized man and woman freely enter a lifelong covenant of love, committing to mutual fidelity, support, and openness to children. It is instituted by God in creation (Genesis 2:18–24) and elevated to a sacrament by Jesus, who blessed marriage at Cana (John 2:1–11) and taught its indissolubility (Matthew 19:4–6). The sacrament reflects the unbreakable union between Christ (the Bridegroom) and the Church (His Bride), as described in Ephesians 5:25–32. In the Catholic Church, Matrimony is a sacred bond that sanctifies the couple and strengthens them to live out their vows.
Theological Significance
Matrimony holds profound spiritual meaning in Catholicism:
- Sacred Covenant: Marriage is not merely a contract but a covenant, a sacred commitment sealed by God’s grace, binding the couple in love and fidelity.
- Reflection of Christ’s Love: The love between spouses mirrors the sacrificial, faithful love of Christ for the Church, fostering holiness through mutual self-giving.
- Grace of the Sacrament: Matrimony imparts sanctifying grace to help spouses live out their vows, overcome challenges, and grow in holiness together.
- Purpose of Marriage: The sacrament has two primary ends:
- Mutual Love and Support: Spouses help each other grow in love and faith.
- Procreation and Education of Children: Couples are called to be open to life and to raise children in the Catholic faith.
- Indissolubility: Catholic marriage is permanent, as Jesus taught, “What God has joined together, let no one separate” (Matthew 19:6). Divorce is not recognized, though annulments (declarations of nullity) may be granted if the marriage was invalid.
- Communal Dimension: Matrimony serves the Church by building Christian families, the “domestic church,” which strengthen the broader community.
Who Can Receive Matrimony?
- Baptized Catholics: Typically, at least one spouse must be Catholic, though dispensations allow for mixed marriages (Catholic with a baptized non-Catholic) or disparity of cult (Catholic with a non-baptized person) under certain conditions.
- Prerequisites:
- Freedom to Marry: Both parties must be free of prior valid marriages or impediments (e.g., close kinship, coercion).
- Consent: The couple must freely and knowingly consent to a lifelong, exclusive, and fruitful union.
- Preparation: Couples undergo marriage preparation, including catechesis on the sacrament, family life, and Church teachings.
- State of Grace: Couples are encouraged to receive Reconciliation before the wedding to approach the sacrament in grace.
- Ministers: In the Latin Rite, the couple themselves are the ministers of the sacrament, exchanging vows before a priest or deacon (who witnesses on behalf of the Church) and at least two witnesses. The priest or deacon blesses the union.
