Sacrament
Matrimony
Sacrament at the Service of Communion
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.
What the Church teaches
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.
Institution
Marriage was instituted by God at the dawn of creation (Genesis 2:24). Christ raised it to the dignity of a sacrament in his own person and made it a sign of his union with the Church (Ephesians 5:25-32).
Matter and form
- Form
I, N., take you, N., to be my wife/husband. I promise to be faithful to you, in good times and in bad, in sickness and in health, to love you and to honor you all the days of my life.
- Matter
The mutual consent of the spouses expressed in words and signified by the spousal embrace.
Minister
The spouses themselves are the ministers of Matrimony in the Latin Church; the priest or deacon assists and receives their consent in the name of the Church.
Recipient
A baptized man and a baptized woman, free to marry, who freely express their consent.
Effects
A bond of marriage which is perpetual and exclusive
An increase of sanctifying grace
A particular grace for the sanctification of the spouses and the Christian education of their children
Preparation
See the parish RCIA / OCIA office or your pastor for catechetical preparation.
Catechism references
- CCC 1601-1666