Simone Lawson
Marriage in the Catholic Church, also known as holy matrimony, is a sacrament. For a marriage to be a sacramental marriage, two requirements must be met: the marriage must be valid, and both parties must be baptised. The Catholic Church recognises as sacramental the marriages between two baptised non-Catholic Christians, as well as marriages between baptised non-Catholic Christians and Catholic Christians. However, the Church does not recognise marriages between two non-Christians or those between a Catholic Christian and a non-Christian as sacramental.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of sacraments | 7 |
| Requirements for a sacramental marriage | 2 |
| First requirement | The marriage must be valid |
| Second requirement | Both parties must be baptized |
| Marriages that are not considered sacramental | Marriages between two non-Christians or those between a Catholic Christian and a non-Christian |
| Marriage preparation time | 8-12 months |
| Minimum age of consent | 18 years |
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What You'll Learn
Both parties must be baptised
For a marriage to be considered sacramental in the Catholic Church, it is required that both parties are baptised. This is because the Catholic Church teaches that a "valid matrimonial contract cannot exist between the baptised without it being by that fact a sacrament". Therefore, a marriage between two baptised non-Catholic Christians is considered sacramental, as is a marriage between a baptised non-Catholic Christian and a baptised Catholic Christian. In the latter case, consent from the diocesan bishop must be obtained, which is termed "dispensation to enter into a mixed marriage".
The Catholic Church recognises marriages between two non-Christians or between a Catholic Christian and a non-Christian, but these are not considered sacramental. In the case of a Catholic Christian marrying a non-Christian, the Catholic must seek permission from their bishop for the marriage to occur. This permission is known as "dispensation from disparity of cult".
The sacrament of marriage is understood as a covenant by which a man and a woman enter into a lifelong partnership, which is ordered by its nature to the good of the spouses and the procreation and education of offspring. Marriage is one of the seven sacraments of the Church, and like the others, it is a sign or symbol that reveals the Lord Jesus and through which his divine life and love are communicated. The grace of this sacrament helps spouses to be faithful and good parents, and also to serve others beyond their immediate family.
Marriage preparation, or Pre-Cana, is an important aspect of the process of getting married in the Catholic Church. This usually involves a commitment of about 12 months, during which time the couple assesses their freedom to marry and engages in prayerful discernment to understand the sanctity of the commitment they are making. If one of the parties is a non-Catholic, a longer period of marriage preparation is often required.
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The marriage must be valid
For a marriage to be considered sacramental in the Catholic Church, it must be valid. This means that the marriage must meet the requirements of canon law, including the obligation to observe the Church's form of marriage celebration or to be dispensed from that form. This applies to every Catholic, even when marrying a non-Catholic.
A valid sacramental marriage in the Catholic Church requires four elements: the spouses must be free to marry, they must freely exchange their consent, they must intend to marry for life, to be faithful to one another, and to be open to having children, and their consent must be given in the Canonical Form, meaning in the presence of two witnesses and before a properly authorized church minister (an ordained priest or deacon). The couple must also be of the age of consent to marry, which is typically 18 years old.
The Catholic Church recognizes as sacramental the marriages between two baptized non-Catholic Christians, as well as marriages between baptized non-Catholic Christians and Catholic Christians. In the latter case, consent from the diocesan bishop must be obtained, and this is termed "dispensation to enter into a mixed marriage". Marriages between two non-Christians or between a Catholic Christian and a non-Christian are recognized by the Church but are not considered sacramental. In these cases, the Catholic Christian must seek permission from their bishop for the marriage to occur, and this permission is known as "dispensation from disparity of cult".
Marriage preparation, or Pre-Cana, is an important aspect of ensuring a valid sacramental marriage in the Catholic Church. This typically involves a commitment of about 12 months, during which the couple assesses their freedom to marry and engages in prayerful discernment to understand the sanctity of the commitment they are making. By their permanent, faithful, and exclusive giving to each other, symbolized in sexual intercourse, the couple reveals something of God's unconditional love.
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The couple must be free to marry
The Catholic Church requires that couples intending to marry must be free to marry. This means that both parties must be single and of legal age to marry. If either party has been married before, this must be addressed before marriage preparation can begin.
The Catholic Church also requires that both parties are baptized. This is because the Church teaches that marriage between two baptized persons is a sacrament, expressing the unbreakable bond of love between Christ and his people. All seven sacraments were instituted by Christ and are to be celebrated within the community of believers. In a sacramental marriage, God's love is communicated to the spouses and their wider community.
Marriage in the Catholic Church is a covenant by which a man and a woman enter into a lifelong partnership that is naturally oriented towards the good of the spouses and the procreation and education of children. This covenant is a free mutual agreement, and both parties must freely exchange their consent.
The Church requires that couples undergo marriage preparation or Pre-Cana, which typically lasts about 12 months. This time is spent assessing that the couple is free to marry and is also a period of prayerful discernment to understand the sanctity of the commitment they are about to make.
The requirements for a licit sacramental marriage in the Catholic Church include the couple's freedom to marry, their freely given consent, their intention to marry for life and be faithful to one another, and their openness to having children. These consents must be given in the Canonical Form, in the presence of two witnesses and an authorized church minister.
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The couple must consent to marry
For a marriage to be considered sacramental in the Catholic Church, it must meet certain requirements. Firstly, the marriage must be valid, and secondly, both parties must be baptised. The Code of Canon Law recognises that "a valid matrimonial contract cannot exist between the baptised without it being by that fact a sacrament".
The couple must freely exchange their consent to marry. This consent is given in the Canonical Form, in the presence of two witnesses and before a properly authorised church minister (an ordained priest or deacon). The couple must be of the age of consent to marry (at least 18 years old). They must be free to marry, with no impediments such as prior marriages. The couple must intend to marry for life, to be faithful to one another, and to be open to having children.
Marriage preparation, or Pre-Cana, is an important part of the process. The church expects the couple to commit about 12 months to marriage preparation, which includes prayerful discernment and building a closer relationship with God as individuals and as a couple. This time is also spent assessing that the parties are indeed free to marry and do not face any impediments. If one of the parties is a non-Catholic, the marriage preparation time required may be longer.
The Catholic Church recognises as sacramental the marriages between two baptised non-Catholic Christians, as well as marriages between baptised non-Catholic Christians and Catholic Christians. In the latter case, consent from the diocesan bishop must be obtained, and this is termed "dispensation to enter into a mixed marriage".
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The marriage must be recognised by the Catholic Church
For a marriage to be recognised by the Catholic Church, it must be a sacrament. Marriage is one of the seven sacraments of the Catholic Church, alongside baptism, confirmation, Eucharist, confirmation, holy orders, reconciliation, and anointing of the sick.
The Catholic Church recognises as sacramental the marriages between two baptised non-Catholic Christians, as well as marriages between baptised non-Catholic Christians and Catholic Christians. In the latter case, consent from the diocesan bishop must be obtained, termed "dispensation to enter into a mixed marriage". Marriages between two non-Christians or those between a Catholic Christian and a non-Christian are not considered sacramental, though they are recognised by the Church as valid.
For a marriage to be recognised as sacramental, the Church requires that both spouses are baptised. The spouses must be free to marry, and freely exchange their consent. They must consent to marry for life, to be faithful to one another, and to be open to having children. Their consent must be given in the Canonical Form: in the presence of two witnesses and before a properly authorised church minister (ordained priest or deacon). The Church expects the parties to commit about 12 months to marriage preparation, which is viewed as prayerful discernment together, to fully understand the sanctity of the commitment to a faithful and faith-filled marriage.
The Catholic Church teaches that marriage between two baptised persons is a sacrament, as the couple’s relationship expresses in a unique way the unbreakable bond of love between Christ and his people. Pope Paul VI wrote that the sacrament of matrimony strengthens husband and wife and consecrates them for the faithful accomplishment of their proper duties, for the carrying out of their proper vocation, and the Christian witness which is proper to them before the whole world.
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Frequently asked questions
A sacramental marriage is a marriage between two baptised people. It is a covenant by which a man and a woman establish a partnership of the whole of life, which is ordered by its nature to the good of the spouses and the procreation and education of offspring.
There are four requirements for a sacramental marriage in the Catholic Church: the spouses are free to marry, they freely exchange their consent, they intend to marry for life, and their consent is given in the Canonical Form in the presence of two witnesses and before a properly authorised church minister.
The first official declaration that marriage is a sacrament was made at the 1184 Synod of Verona as part of a condemnation of the Cathars. In 1208, Pope Innocent III required members of the Waldensians to recognise marriage as a sacrament as a condition for being received back into the Catholic Church.
The Church plays a significant role in preparing couples for sacramental marriage through prayer, discernment, and building a closer relationship with God. The Church also ensures that all pre-marriage requirements are met and that any impediments are addressed appropriately to meet the expectations of Canon Law.
