Holy Matrimony

Marriage has been a social institution of most human cultures for thousands of years. Jesus Christ has consecrated Christian marriage and made it a source of grace by making it a Sacrament. In the Sacrament of Holy Matrimony, a man and a woman unite themselves to each other in a bond that cannot be broken as long as they both live. In this Sacrament a couple promise to be faithful to each other for the rest of their lives, to love and honour each other and be open to the gift of children from God. Christian marriage invites a couple to be an icon of God’s love for the world, and to share in God’s creative power through bringing children into the world, raising them in a home of love, and bringing them up to know and love God.

A Catholic marriage requires that at least one of the couple is Catholic. If the other partner is not Catholic, the Catholic partner must promise to do all in his/her power to have their children baptised and raised in the Catholic Church.

Couples must meet with the priest several times before the wedding, and also complete an online marriage preparation course (you can see some information about the course here).

At least six months’ notice is required before celebrating marriage in the Catholic Church, so be sure to contact the parish office well ahead of your intended marriage date, to make a booking and organise your initial meeting with the priest.