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.

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).

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.

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.

A baptized man and a baptized woman, free to marry, who freely express their consent.

• 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

See the parish RCIA / OCIA office or your pastor for catechetical preparation.

• CCC 1601-1666