Sacraments 101: Matrimony (why make it Catholic)

Summary

This video explains the importance of having a Catholic wedding and the preparation required for it. Marriage in the Catholic Church is seen as a sacred vocation—a lifelong, faithful, and fruitful union sealed by God. The video outlines the purpose of marriage preparation, including spiritual guidance, practical advice, and reflections on raising children. It emphasizes that the sacrament of matrimony is more than just a legal contract; it is a commitment to lifelong love and service, with children playing a crucial role in the family’s faith journey.

Takeaways

• 😀 Marriage in the Catholic Church is a sacred sacrament, not just a legal contract. It is a covenant sealed by God, meant to be permanent, faithful, and fruitful.
• 😀 The Catholic Church views marriage as a vocation, a divine calling from God to live in love, unity, and service to one another.
• 😀 Civil marriages, which do not involve the Church, are considered by the Catholic Church as less than a sacramental marriage, akin to living together without marriage.
• 😀 Marriage preparation in the Catholic Church is important to ensure couples fully understand the vows and commitments they are about to make for life.
• 😀 Couples are required to undergo marriage preparation, often referred to as Pre-Cana, which includes spiritual, practical, and family life reflections.
• 😀 Priests provide the spiritual guidance during marriage preparation, but married couples often serve as the primary guides for the engaged couple.
• 😀 Marriage vows are essential to the sacrament; the validity of the marriage depends on the sincerity and understanding of the couple’s promises to each other.
• 😀 The sacrament of marriage includes a commitment to raising children and creating a family, which is seen as a fundamental aspect of the marriage covenant.
• 😀 Couples must be open to the possibility of having children in order to marry in the Catholic Church, as the procreation and education of children is integral to the purpose of marriage.
• 😀 The Catholic Church teaches that the marriage covenant is meant to be fruitful, not only in terms of physical children but also in the spiritual life and service to others.
• 😀 The family, as a domestic Church, is where faith is nurtured and lived out, with parents handing down their spiritual life to their children.

Q & A

Why is it important to have a Catholic wedding?

A Catholic wedding is significant because it is not just a legal contract but a sacrament and a vocation. It represents a lifelong commitment to each other and to God, reflecting the unconditional love that God has for all His creation.

What does the Catholic Church mean by marriage being a vocation?

In the Catholic Church, marriage is viewed as a vocation, which means it is a call from God to live out a life of selfless love, fidelity, and service to one another and to future children. It is a lifelong commitment to both your spouse and your faith.

How is a Catholic marriage different from a civil marriage?

A Catholic marriage is a covenant that is sealed and strengthened by God, and it is permanent, faithful, and fruitful. In contrast, a civil marriage is a legal contract and can be dissolved, while the Church does not recognize a civil marriage as a sacrament.

Why does the Catholic Church require marriage preparation?

The Church requires marriage preparation to ensure that couples understand the gravity of the sacrament they are about to receive. It helps couples reflect on their relationship, learn practical skills like communication and problem-solving, and prepare spiritually for a lifelong commitment.

What is Pre-Cana and why is it important?

Pre-Cana is the marriage preparation process in the Catholic Church. It involves classes and discussions on topics like spirituality, finances, communication, and raising children. It ensures that couples are well-prepared for the lifelong commitment of marriage and understand the promises they will make.

Why does Catholic marriage preparation take 6 to 12 months?

The Catholic Church requires a lengthy marriage preparation period to ensure that couples fully understand the commitment they are making. Just as you would carefully choose a major life decision like a career or a home, marriage requires thorough reflection, understanding, and spiritual readiness.

What role do priests play in Catholic marriage preparation?

Priests provide the spiritual guidance for marriage preparation, helping couples to understand the sacrament and its spiritual significance. However, laypeople—particularly married couples—are often the primary guides for practical advice on marriage.

Why are children an important part of Catholic marriage preparation?

In Catholic teaching, marriage is meant to be both a uniting of husband and wife and a means of procreation. Children are seen as a natural and essential outcome of the love between a married couple. The Church teaches that a Catholic marriage should be open to welcoming children and raising them in the faith.

What does the Church mean by 'fruitful' in marriage?

The term 'fruitful' refers to the Church’s belief that marriage is not only about the love between the spouses but also about the creation and nurturing of life through children. This aspect of marriage reflects the gift of life and the couple's responsibility to raise their children according to Christian values.

What does the Church teach about the permanence of marriage?

The Catholic Church teaches that marriage is a permanent covenant that cannot be dissolved. The vows exchanged during the wedding are for life, and the Church views marriage as an unbreakable bond, reflecting God's eternal and unbreakable love for His people.