Matrimony/Marriag
e
It establishes a perpetual and exclusive
bond between the spouses. God himself
seals the consent of the spouses.
Therefore, a marriage which is ratified
and consummated between baptized
persons can never be dissolved.
MINISTER:
The couple are the ministers
because they are the contracting
parties who exchange vows and
consent to marry each other.
The priest or deacon is the
official witness who ensures the
sanctity of the ceremony.
MATTER:
When the spouses give this consent
publicly in front of the church, the
marriage is presumed valid.
The matter consists of this consent,
along with the desire to live
together in unity, as well as the
consummation of the marriage.
FORM:
Marriage vows: "I (name) take you
(name) to be my wife/husband"
The promise to be true in good
times and in bad, in sickness and
in health
The promise to love and honor
each other all the days of one's
life
The matter and form of the
sacrament are inseparable.
The words spoken during the
ceremony, such as "I take you
to be my husband/wife", are
part of the form.
The physical act of
consummation is another part
of the matter.
BIBLICAL BASIS:
Genesis 2:18–24: God created marriage and
made the husband and wife "one flesh"
Matthew 19:6: Jesus said, "what therefore
God has joined together, let no man put
asunder"
Ephesians 5:31: "Wherefore a man shall leave
father and mother, and cleave to his wife"
HISTORY:
In the Middle Ages, the Church named
marriage one of the seven sacraments.
St. Augustine taught that marriage was a
symbol of the union between Christ and the
Church.
The marriage contract was considered
indissoluble.
The Bible states that God
created male and female and
intended them to be joined in
marriage.
God said, "It is not good for the
man to be alone. I will make a
suitable partner for him".
God made Eve from Adam's rib.
ESSENTIAL/SIGN:
Love, unity, and
commitment.
The sacrament of Matrimony,
also known as Holy
Matrimony, is a public
declaration of a couple's total
commitment to each other.
EFFECTS SYMBOLS
: :
Strengthening love Rings
Strengthening unity
Providing grace
Providing strength White
Providing help with gowns
children
Establishing a
permanent bond Unity
Creating an invisible
bond
candles
Confirming a
covenant
Vows
OTHER SYMBOLS:
The bridal procession symbolizes the transfer
of rights over the bride to the groom
The joining of hands symbolizes mutual self-
donation
The sharing of a kiss represents joining of
souls
Flowers in the bouquet and the throwing of
confetti symbolize future fertility and
prosperity