The Sacrament of
Marriage
St. Ann Catholic
Community rejoices with you on your engagement. Please read the following
guidelines carefully.
The couple is to be congratulated for desiring to
enter into a sacramental marriage. The difference between a sacramental,
religious union and a “modern marriage” is regretfully, growing larger.
In some respects, the difference is near "night and day". The nine months
or more of preparation time allows for well-known instruments of
preparation to be utilized and church teachings to be shared on the nature
of the sacrament. This entry is designed only to offer some basic
information to be followed up with sessions with the pastor and other
resources offered in the Diocese.
A few particulars:
-
Once engaged, the pastor should be
contacted BEFORE a wedding date is set. The date can become rather
assured after one meeting with the pastor.
-
Resident parishioners of St. Ann's (at
least one) are the principal focus for marriage preparation and weddings
at St. Ann's. Non-parishioners are encouraged to be married where
residence exists and preparation occurs. The universal church has
directives that encourage this for good reason.
-
The church has two rituals for weddings.
One ritual is within the Eucharist for a couple who are both Roman
Catholic. The other shorter ritual, the Liturgy of the Word, is used
where one of the couple is not of the Catholic faith (respects diversity
of the couple, the unity celebrated by the Eucharist).
-
Aspects of planning related to music,
number of attendants permitted, and other ceremonial features will be
attended to as preparation progresses. THE COUPLE IS OWED AND SHOULD
REMAIN A PRIMARY FOCUS OF ATTENTION ON THE MARRIAGE, NOT THE CEREMONY.
-
Outside weddings are not permitted in the
Diocese of Gaylord, nor are they a common practice anywhere within
Catholicism. The church building has a great deal of meaningful
symbolism as a place of faith within the experiencing of sacrament.
-
The weekly celebration of the Eucharist
and living within Christ's gospel message are key aspects to the
marriage preparation program.
"My dear friends, you
have come together in this church so that the Lord may seal and strengthen
your love in the presence of the Church's minister and this community. In
this way you will be strengthened to keep mutual and lasting faith with
each other and to carry out the other duties of marriage." (Ritual of
Marriage)
