THE SACRAMENT OF

MATRIMONY
The Institution of Matrimony

By , divine institution, Christian Matrimony is, “

The permanent covenant of love, between
a qualified man and woman, intended for
their common good, and for the
procreation and education of Children.” Let
us analyze the five parts of the definition.
1. PERMANENT: Holy Matrimony is an eternal conjugal covenant before God,
and not a temporary arrangement between two lovers; as Jesus declared:
“What God has joined together, no human being must separate” (Mark
10:9). Since a valid Christian Marriage is terminated only by death, it is a
mortal sin to separate from the lawful spouse and to live More Uxorio (as
husband and wife) with any other person; as Jesus said: “Whoever divorces
his wife and marries another commit adultery against her” (Mark 10:11).
Separation is allowed only for very serious reasons, such as violence or
infidelity, provided the offended party remains single and reunites with the
other as soon as reasonably possible.

2. COVENANT OF LOVE: a true Marriage is established out Love, which is the

virtue of giving oneself to the other, as Jesus declared: “No one has greater
love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends (John 15:13). Christian
Love is called Agape, or the selfless commitment of promoting the spouse’s
good, and not Eros, or the selfish attitude of exploiting the other for one’s
interest.

3. BETWEEN A QUALIFIED MAN AND WOMAN: a Christian in Matrimony is

monogamous, as opposite to polygamous; “From the beginning the Creator made
them male and female and said, ‘For this reason a man shall leave his father and
mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh” (Matthew
19:4-5). The perverted relationship with a person of the same gender is against
4. INTENDED FOR THEIR COMMON GOOD: the primary purpose of
Matrimony is the reciprocal wellbeing of the spouses; as God said: “It is not
good for the man to be alone, I will make a helper suited to him” (Genesis
2:18). Husband and wife complement each other at the physical and
spiritual level, since their bodies were created paired to provide intimacy
and procreation; and their intellectual faculties, to be harmoniously
interactive. St. Paul said: “Be subordinate to one another out of reverence
for Christ……As the church is subordinate to Christ, so wives should be
subordinate to their husbands in everything. Husbands, love your wives,
even as Christ loved the Church and handed himself over for her” (cf.
Ephesians 5:21-25).

5. FOR THE PRECREATION AND EDUCATIONOF CHILDREN: the

secondary purpose of Matrimony is giving life to children, as by God’s
command, “Be fertile and multiply, fill the earth” (Genesis 1”28); as well
as educating them to be holy Christians and honest citizens. A numerous
and well- educated progeny gives joy and meaning to the Family, expands
the Church, and prospers the State. The population decline and looming
extinction of several first-word countries are precisely due to the selfish
refusal of accepting God’s gift of life. Certainly, those spouses who cannot
have children for natural cause can nevertheless engage in spiritual
When Did Jesus Institute the Sacrament of Matrimony?

Jesus instituted the Holy Matrimony when he said: “For this reason a man will
leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one
flesh; so they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore when God has joined
together, no human being separate” (Matthew 19:5-6).
Our Lord sanctified the dignity of Matrimony by being born within the Holy Family
of Mary and Joseph, who were wedded according to God’s laws (cf. Luke 1:27); and
by attending the Wedding Feast of Cana, where he miraculously changed water into
wine (cf. John 2:1-12)

Why Is Matrimony a Sacrament?

Holy Matrimony is a sacrament because the permanent, exclusive, and fruitful

covenant of love between Christian spouses, which was established from the
beginning of Creation and consecrated by Jesus, signifies the union of Christ and the
Church. As St. Paul said: “Husbands, love your wives, as Christ and loved the
Church…..This is a great mystery, and I mean in reference to Christ and the Church”
(Ephesians 5:25, 32).
Marriage is such sublime a Sacrament that symbolizes the eternal life in Paradise;
as it was prophesied by Isaiah, “As a young man marries a virgin, your Creator shall
marry you; and as a bridegroom rejoices in his bride so shall your God rejoice in you”
(Isaiah 62-5); and revealed by St. John: I saw the new Jerusalem [the church]
What Are the Three Essential Properties of Matrimony?

God established Holy Matrimony with Three Essential Properties:

1. UNITY: it means that Christian Marriage is exclusive and monogamous, as opposite

to inclusive and polygamous, to prevent jealousy and discrimination among several
spouses; as Jesus declared: “A man shall leave his father and mother and be joined
to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh” (Matthew 19:5). A polygamous
person desiring to become a Christian, before receiving the Sacrament of Baptism,
must retain his first wife and dismiss all others, providing with charity and equity for
them.

2. INDISSOLUBILITY: it signifies that a valid Matrimony is permanent, as opposite to

temporary, for the well-being of the spouses and their children; as Jesus said: “What
God has joined together, no human being must separate” (Matthew 19:6). Since a
Marriage is dissolved only by death, divorce (its legal dissolution) is never
permitted; while separation (the temporary living-apart) is allowed for serious
reasons, provided the spouses remain single and strive to reconcile as soon as
reasonably possible.

3. OPENNES TO LIFE: it indicates that Christian spouses should procreate and

educate children in accordance with God’s call: “Be fertile and multiply; fill the earth
and subdue it” (Genesis 1:28). Children are the supreme gift of Matrimony, since
What Are the Two Essential Purposes of Holy Matrimony?

Marriage was divinely instituted for Two Essential Purposes:

1. THE GOOD OF THE SPOUSES: the primary end of Matrimony is the physical
and spiritual wellbeing of the spouses, as it is written: “It is not good for the man
to be alone. I will make a suitable partner for him” (Genesis 2:18). The term
Marriage derives from the Latin word Maritare, meaning, “To get a husband”,
underlining that the primary purpose of matrimony is to get an exclusive spouse
for life.

2. THE PROCREATION AND EDUCATION OF CHILDREN: the secondary end of

Matrimony is giving life to new human beings, who will enrich the family, the
Church and the world; as God commanded: “Be fertile and multiply; fill the earth
and subdue it” (Genesis 1:28). Etymologically, the term Matrimony derives from
Latin words Mater and Monus, which means “The responsibility of becoming
mother” emphasizing procreation as an essential purpose of Marriage.
What Is the Difference Between Divorce, Separation, and Annulment?

There is a great difference between the three situations, with their corresponding
moral and civil consequences:

1. DIVORCE: it is the legal dissolution of a valid Civil Marriage, which allows the
spouses to remarry civilly with another person. This act is absolutely prohibited by
Jesus, who said: “What God has joined together, no human being must separate”
(Mark 10:9).

2. SEPARATION: it is the temporary living-apart of the spouses due to a serious

cause, such as infidelity or unbearable violence. It is allowed by the church,
provided the spouses remain single, and strive to reconcile as soon as the cause
for separation is dissolved.

3. ANNULMENT: it is the declaration that a certain Marriage was null and void from
the beginning – it never existed, because of an impediment. Since Marriage enjoys
the favor of law, its validity must be upheld until the contrary is proven.
What Are the Marriage Impediments?

The Impediments are obstacles that render a Matrimony invalid; the Church can
dispense fro Impediments of Ecclesiastical Law, but not of Divine Law – those
declared directly by God.

1. AGE: a man cannot validly enter Matrimony before completing 16 years of age,
or a woman 14. Out of reverence for the State, the Local Catholic Conference od
Bishops may increase the age to match that of the Civil Law. In the Philippines,
for instance, the lawful celebration of Marriage requires both parties to be 18
years old, and to obtain the consent of their parents or guardians until the age of
21. This impediment aims to prevent child marriages, which cause early
pregnancy, child abuse, interruption of schooling and psychological issues.

2. IMPOTENCE: Antecedent and Perpetual Impotence. Which is the incapacity of

having sexual intercourse, wether on the part of the man or the woman, nullifies
Marriage; while Sterility, or the incapacity of having children, neither forbids nor
invalidates a Marriage. This impediment is based on the so- called Marital Debt,
which is the right of spouses to have conjugal intercourse on a regular basis. For
instance, in the Middle Ages, a knight willing to join a Crusade needed his wife’s
consent, since he would deprive her for years of the due sexual intimacy.

3. PREVIOUS SACRAMENTAL MARRIAGE: a Catholic bound by a prior

Sacramental Marriage invalidly attempts a second one, unless the spouse is
needs the dispensation from the Local Ordinary to Marry in the Church: this will be
granted only if the legal and moral obligations arising from the previous union are
satisfied.

4. MIXED MARRIAGE AND DISPARITY OF CULT: the Marriage between a Catholic

and non-Christian (Mixed), or a non-Catholic Christian (Disparity of Cult), is invalid,
unless the Local Ordinary has granted dispensation. This requires three conditions:
a.) that the Catholic party declares his intension not to defect from the faith, and
promises to baptize and bring up the children in the Catholic Church; b.) that the
non-Catholic spouse is aware of the promise and obligation of the Catholic party; c.)
that both parties accept the purposes and essential properties of Christian
Matrimony.

5. SACRED ORDERS AND PERPETUAL VOW OF CHASTITY: those in Sacred Orders,

such as Deacons, Priests and Bishops, as well as Consecrated Persons bound by a
Public Perpetual Vow of Chastity in a Religious Institute, invalidly attempt Marriage;
unless the Pope has granted a Dispensation. It is understood that the Dispensation
removes the Clergy from the Clerical State, and the Religious from their
Congregation. This impediment intends preserve the sacrality of Ordination and of
Religious Profession, which are essential for the Church’s holiness and apostolate.

6. ABDUCTION, FORCE OR GRAVE FEAR: no Matrimony can exist when a party was
kidnapped in view of contracting marriage, or married by reason of force or of grave
fear, unless the victim chooses marriage of her own accord after being separated
from the captor and established in a safe and free place. This impediment defends
7. CRIME: anyone who in view of entering Marriage with a certain person has
brought about the death of that person’s spouse, or of his own, invalidly attempts
Marriage. This impediment upholds the Sacrality of Life, which cannot be
sacrificed to satisfy unbridled lust and selfish interests. Such was King David, who
killed Uriah, his loyal officer, in order to marry his wife Bathsheba (ef. 2 Samuel
11:26-27), and was thereafter punished by God, as by Nathan’s word’s: “The
sword shall never depart from your house….. Evil will rise against you from your
own household” (2 Samuel 12:10-11).

8. CONSANGUINITY: Marriage is invalid between those related by Consanguinity,

both legitimate and natural, or by Legal Adoptation, in all degrees of the direct
line (parents and children; grandparents and grandchildren), or in the second
degree of the collateral line (brother and sisters). The impediment of
Consanguinity in the third and fourth degree and collateral line (first cousins;
nephew and uncles) can be dispensed. This impediment prevents Incest, which
causes genetic defects and family disorders. For instance, the Hapsburg
Dynasty ended with Charles II of Spain (1661 – 1700), who was born mentally
and physically impaired due to centuries of inbreeding.

9. AFFINITY: the legal relationship existing between a spouse and the blood –
relatives of the other spouse, known as Affinity, invalidates a Matrimony in any
degree of the direct line (step – father with step – daughter, father – in – law with
daughter – in – law). This impediment defends the Virtue of Chastity among
10.PUBLIC PROPRIETY OR QUAST- AFFINITY: a partner of a public concubinage,
or of an invalid marriage, cannot validly marry those related by consanguinity in
the first degree of the direct line to other party; for instance, a live – in partner
cannot marry the natural daughter, nor the mother, of his companion; and vice –
versa. This impediment aims to prevent the Public Scandal arising from a Marriage
between those related by quasi – affinity; it can be dispensed by the Local
Ordinary for a very serious reason, and provided it does not cause public scandal.

11.LACKING SUFFICIENT USE OF REASON: those who do not have sufficient use
od reason, or the psychological capacity, to understand and assume the three
essential properties (Unity, Indissolubility, Openness to life), cannot contract a
valid Matrimony. Since the knowledge of these essential properties is imparted on
the spouse during the pre – cana seminar, the canonical interview, and the rite
itself, to claim that most Christian Marriages are invalid because the parties were
unaware of them, is offensive for the dignity of the Parish Priests and the
intelligence of the spouses.

12.ERROR: the Matrimony is invalid when one party has married a different person
from the one he intended; or when the party was mistaken about an important
quality of the other party which was directly and principally intended for the
Marriage. Well – known is the case of the Patriarch Jacob, who fell in love and
worked hard for seven years to marry the beautiful Rachel; but instead, because of
the tricky of his father – in – law Laban, and the complicity of darkness and of a
veil covering the face, was given his older sister Leah (cf. Genesis 29:23-25).
13.DECEIT: the Marriage is invalid when one of the parties was deceived concerning
some quality od the other party, which of its very nature can seriously disrupt the
partnership of conjugal life. For instance, if a man concealed his deeply – rooted
homosexuality, and got married with the purpose of having a social cover – up for
his unnatural behavior; or if a woman hid her huge financial debt caused by her
gambling addiction, and tied the knot only to be financially stable: the deceived
spouse can apply to the Ecclesiastic Tribunal for the Marriage Annulment.

Why Is the Family Called the Domestic Church?

The Christian Family is called the Domestic Church because it is the basic
community of faith and love, essential for the growth of the Church as well as the
wellbeing of society; moreover it is the seedbed of religious and priestly vocations. For
these reasons, ecclesiastical and civil authorities must promote the establishment and
prosperity of families, and defend them from any kind of dangers, such as divorce and
abortion.
The three basic virtues of a Christ Family are Humility, or the spirit of service
for one another; Simplicity, which is the frugality in the purchase and fruiting of
material things; and Joy, or the serene disposition to share in mutual love the happy
and sad moments of life. The model of the Domestic Church is the Holy Family of
Nazareth, where Jesus, Mary and Joseph lived in perfect harmony among themselves,
with God and with their neighbors.
 THE MINISTERS OF MATRIMONY

Who are the Minister of

Matrimony?
The Minister of Marriage are the Spouses, who mutually confer upon each other the
Sacrament of Matrimony by expressing their consent before the Church. This was
explained by Jesus, when he said: “A man shall leave his father and mother and joined
to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh” (Matthew 19:5).
The Priests who assists at the Rite of Marriage is not the minister; rather, he is
appointed to receive the consent of the spouses and to give the blessing in the name
of the Church. However, he is the Minister of the Holy Mass during which the
Sacrament of Marriage takes place.

Are Confirmation and Confession Prerequisites for Marriage?

The spouses who have not have yet received the Sacrament of Confirmation are to
receive it before being admitted to Holy Matrimony, if this can be done without grave
inconvenience. They need to complete the Christian initiation and receive the fullness
of the Holy Spirit to prosper in their married life and to give good example to their
future children.
Similarly, the spouses must have a good Confession soon before their Marriage, in
order to be well disposed for the celebration and to be worthy of receiving Christ’s
Body and Blood during the Wedding Mass. To celebrate the Holy Sacrament of
 THE FORM OF MATRIMONY

What Is the Form of Matrimony?

The Form of the Sacrament of Matrimony are the words of the Consent; “I take you
to be my wife” – “I take you to be my husband.” This can be rephrased in question and
answer format, where the Priest asks to both spouses: “N.. do you take N. here
present, for your lawful husband/wife, individually reply: “ Yes, I do.”

What Are the Requirements of a Valid Form of Matrimony?

A valid Form of Matrimony must have these essential requirements:

1. MUTUAL: it is essential for the validity of Marriage that both parties utter the Form,
and not only one side; because Matrimony is not a mere donation of oneself to
another, but a mutual agreement.

2. EXTERNAL: the Form must be declared in audible words, or in writing for the
hearing impaired, lest the Marriage is invalid. The internal consent alone is
insufficient, since Matrimony has ecclesiastical and civil relevance.

3. PRESENT: the Form must be expressed in words which have reference to present
time; since Matrimony is not a promise of a future commitment, but the actual
union of the spouses for life.
 PREPARATIONS FOR MARRIAGE

What Is
Engagement?
Engagement is the formal period of preparation for Matrimony, which usually starts
with the giving of the engagement rings and the official proposal. The two fiancée,
together with their families, prepare for the worthy celebration of the Sacrament of
Marriage and for their future life together. Engagement should not last more than one
year to avoid the risk of losing mutual affection, no less than sixth months, to allow
for a proper preparation.

In Which Church Should a Marriage Be Celebrated?

The Sacrament of Matrimony should be celebrated in the Parish Church in which

either of the contracting parties has resided for at least one month; however, they
can choose any other Parish for various reasons, such as their particular devotion or
the proximity to the reception. Reservations should be made at least two months in
advance, to allow enough time for preparing the documents, posting for three weeks
the Marriage Banns, undergoing the Canonical Interview and the Pre – cana Seminar.
The so-called Garden Marriage, as well as Marriage outside the Parish Church, are
not allowed, unless with the permit of the local Parish Church, where all
documentation and requirements are prepared. For instance, the Marriages celebrated
in the Chapel of Caleruega in Batulao, are arranged on the St. Francis Xavier Parish
The Priest assisting the marriage can either be the Parish Priest or a Priest delegated by
him, especially if requested by the spouses themselves. The couple’s criteria for
proposing a guest priest should not just be the physical look. In the Philippines, since
Religious Matrimony is recognized also as a Civil Marriage; no Catholic Priest can
solemnize a wedding without the Authorization to Officiate Marriage, which is
issued by the National Statistics Office, and has validity for three years.

What Are the Church’s Requirements for Marriage?

The Parish Office will require the following documents:

1. MARRIAGE LICENSE: to be requested from the municipal office where the parties
reside; if the couple is already civilly married, they must provide a notarized copy of
their Marriage Contract.

2. BAPTISMAL CERTIFICATE: to be requested from the parishes where the two parties
baptized; it last only for six months and must have the annotation: “For Marriage
Purposes”.

3. CONFIRMATIONCERTIFICATE: to be requested from the Church where the two parties

confirmed; if they were not yet confirmed, they may do so in any Catholic Church of
their choice.

4. CANONICAL INTERVIEW: it is the official examination made by the Parish Priest, or

by a Priest delegated by him, to each fiancée, individually, to ascertain wether the
5. MAARRIAGE BANNS: these are public announcements of the incoming Marriage to
be posted for three consecutive weeks at the Church where the Rite will take place,
and at the Parishes where the fiancée were baptized.

6. PRE-CANA SEMINAR: The couple shall attend a seminar in preparation for Marriage,
either in the Church where the Marriage will take place or elsewhere, where they
must obtain a Pre-cana Certificate.

7. CONFESSION: in order to celebrate the Sacramental of Matrimony in the state of

grace, and to properly receive Holy Communion, the couple ought to make a good
Confession before the Wedding Ceremony.
SPECIAL THANK YOU FOR
BEYONCE!!