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What is Marriage?
“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 Christ the Lord to the dignity of a sacrament” (Catechism of the Catholic Church N. 1601)
Requirements for Marriage at St. Helen’s Parish
To be married at St. Helen’s one should be attending Sunday Mass at St. Helen’s Parish. The first step of preparation for marriage here is regular Sunday Mass attendance for a minimum of three months.
In the Roman Catholic rite of matrimony the couple is asked «Are you prepared to accept children lovingly from God and to bring them up according to the law of Christ and his Church?». The third commandment calls us to keep holy the Lord’s Day by participating in the celebration of the Holy Mass and this command is foundational to the law of Christ and his Church. To be a practicing Catholic means to regularly attend Sunday Mass. This first step then is an important spiritual preparation for the celebration of the sacrament of matrimony.
Once this step has been taken a couple can then proceed to book their wedding date.
The couple will then be guided to complete the second step of their preparation – the Archdiocesan marriage preparation course and the marriage interviews and paperwork.
Common Questions - Marriage
A sacred union celebrating the covenant between a man and woman as husband and wife. For more information on marriage in the Catholic Church, please visit: https://rcav.org/marriage-prep
