Marriage is a sacrament of the union of Christ and the Church.
Men are called to love their wives as Christ loved the Church, giving himself up for her with an authentic love. Women are called to love their husbands as Christ, giving herself to him with an undivided love. "Be subject to one another out of reverence for Christ." (Eph. 5:21)
The spouses are called to make a free, total, faithful and fruitful commitment to one another. At the wedding, the man and woman freely promise to totally give themselves to one another exclusively for the rest of their lives and always be open to life. It is a beautiful efficacious sign of the relationship of Christ and the Church.
"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." (CCC 1660)
"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." (CCC 1661)
Entering into the sacrament of Marriage is not to be taken lightly. For this reason it is important to contact a priest immediately if you are interested in receiving this sacrament. Contact Fr. Patrick if you are in need of marriage preparation.
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