Matrimony

What is it?

The matrimonial covenant, by which a man and a woman establish between themselves a partnership of the whole of life, is by its nature ordered toward the good of the spouses and the procreation and education of offspring; this covenant between baptized persons has been raised by Chrsit the Lord to the dignity of a sacrament.    1601 CCC

St. Paul said: "Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the Church. . . . This is a great mystery, and I mean in reference to Christ and the Church" (Eph 5:25, 32).    1659 CCC

The marriage covenant, by which a man and a woman form with each other an intimate communion of life and love, has been founded and endowed with its own special laws by the Creator. By its very nature it is ordered to the good of the couple, as well as to the generation and education of children. Christ the Lord raised marriage between the baptized to the dignity of a sacrament: cf. CIC, can. 1055 § 1; cf. GS 48 § 1.  1660 CCC

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 loved his Church; the grace of the sacrament thus perfects the human love of the spouses, strengthens their indissoluble unity, and sanctifies them on the way to eternal life (cf. Council of Trent: DS 1799).    1661 CCC

Marriage is based on the consent of the contracting parties, that is, on their will to give themselves, each to the other, mutually and definitively, in order to live a covenant of faithful and fruitful love.    1662 CCC

Since marriage establishes the couple in a public state of life in the Church, it is fitting that its celebration be public, in the framework of a liturgical celebration, before the priest (or a witness authorized by the Church), the witnesses, and the assembly of the faithful.    1663 CCC

Unity, indissolubility, and openness to fertility are essential to marriage. Polygamy is incompatible with the unity of marriage; divorce separates what God has joined together; the refusal of fertility turns married life away from its "supreme gift," the child (GS 50 § 1).         1664 CCC

The remarriage of persons divorced from a living, lawful spouse contravenes the plan and law of God as taught by Christ. They are not separated from the Church, but they cannot receive Eucharistic communion. They will lead Christian lives especially by educating their children in the faith.    1665 CCC

The Christian home is the place where children receive the first proclamation of the faith. For this reason the family home is rightly called "the domestic church," a community of grace and prayer, a school of human virtues and of Christian charity.   1666 CCC

What do I do to receive this Sacrament?

The Office of Marriage and Family Life is committed to educating, encouraging, and engaging the faithful in the vocation of marriage and family life and the Domestic Church. Our office works to create a culture of encounter founded in prayer and relationship with Christ; formation that encourages healthy marriages and families; accompaniment that responds to the realities of married couples, families, and those discerning marriage; and advancement of the truths of the human person, marriage, and family in the public square.   

God’s plan for marriage and family life corresponds to the deepest desires of men and women for lasting happiness and true joy. As sons and daughters of God, we are made for love, for God is love. The family, whose mission is “to guard, reveal and communicate love,” is the common place where God’s love is first experienced, and the joy of love is made present.

https://www.diocs.org/Offices/The-Office-of-Marriage-and-Family-Life

Marriage Checklist

  • If you are considering the Sacrament of Holy Matrimony and are a registered parishioner of St. Dominic Catholic Church, we are honored to accompany you on this important journey of faith.
  • Marriage preparation is essential to building a strong, Christ-centered marriage. St. Dominic Catholic Church takes seriously the responsibility of preparing couples for the lifelong covenant of marriage.
  • The marriage preparation process typically takes approximately 12 months and includes meetings, assessments, formation, and diocesan requirements.

Please contact one of our clergy at least twelve (12) months before your desired wedding date to begin the preparation process:

English

Deacon Bob Elliott
Phone: 719-392-7653
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Spanish

Deacon Erasmo Hernandez
Phone: 719-392-7653, Ext. 1003
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

We encourage couples to begin the process as early as possible to allow sufficient time for prayerful preparation and scheduling.

"Therefore what God has joined together, no human being must separate." — Mark 10:9

Complete the Marriage Intake Form

The links below are provided to help you in your marriage preparation