Matrimony
Matrimony, or Holy Matrimony, is the sacrament in which a baptized man and woman enter a lifelong, exclusive covenant of marriage, understood by the Church as a reflection of Christ's own union with the Church.
Consent, Not Just Ceremony
The couple themselves — not the priest — are the ministers of the sacrament; the priest or deacon witnesses their consent on the Church's behalf.
Marks of Catholic Marriage
The Church teaches marriage should be free, faithful, permanent, and open to children, and requires it to be celebrated according to proper canonical form to be recognized as valid.
Related Prayers
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the Catholic Church allow divorce?
The Church does not recognize civil divorce as ending a valid sacramental marriage, though it can investigate whether a marriage was valid in the first place through an annulment process.
Can a Catholic marry a non-Catholic?
Yes, with the proper permission (a "dispensation"), though the Catholic party promises to do what they can to raise children in the faith.