Holy Matrimony
"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavens." - Ephesians 1:3
Marriage: a gift bestowed by the Creator
"Among the many blessings that God has showered upon us in Christ is the blessing of marriage, a gift bestowed by the Creator from the creation of the human race. His hand has inscribed the vocation to marriage in the very nature of man and woman (see Gn 1:27-28, 2:21- 24).
It is a source of blessing to the couple, to their families, and to society and includes the wondrous gift of co-creating human life.
Indeed, as Pope John Paul II never tired of reminding us, the future of humanity depends on marriage and the family."
US CATHOLIC BISHOPS, 2009 PASTORAL LETTER: MARRIAGE: LOVE AND LIFE IN THE DIVINE PLAN
As Catholics, we understand the sacraments make Christ present in our midst. Like the other sacraments, marriage is not just for the good of individuals, or the couple, but for the community as a whole. The Catholic Church teaches that marriage between two baptized persons is a sacrament. The Old Testament prophets saw the marriage of a man and woman as a symbol of the covenant relationship between God and his people.
The permanent and exclusive union between husband and wife mirrors the mutual commitment between God and his people. The Letter to the Ephesians says that this union is a symbol of the relationship between Christ and the Church.
In 2005, The US Conference of Catholic Bishops launched the National Pastoral Initiative for Marriage to call attention to the meaning and value of married life for the Church and for society. The crowning achievement of the Initiative was the Bishops' 2009 pastoral letter, Marriage: Love and Life in the Divine Plan. The letter presents the essential points of Catholic teaching on marriage as a natural gift, as a sacrament, and as a public commitment between a man and a woman. It also discusses several contemporary challenges to marriage and how the Church addresses those challenges.
Wedding Ceremonies at Cathedral of St Joseph
Congratulations!
Please be assured of our prayers and support for you during this special time for preparation for the Sacrament of Holy Matrimony. Below you can find helpful, specific information you'll need in planning your wedding ceremony.
QUICK LINKS
Marriage Preparation at our parish
Guidelines from our Diocese, and specific information regarding your wedding ceremony at our parish.
Parish Policies and Procedures for Wedding Ceremonies
Step-by-step instructions for scheduling your wedding ceremony, understanding our policies and ensuring you have the necessary documents and information as you plan.
Marriage Resources
Our Diocese provides opportunities and resources for engaged and married couples