Chapter 21 — "Sacrament of Marriage"

OPENING PRAYER

Prayer for A Married Couples

O God, who in creating the human race
willed that man and wife should be one,
keep, we pray, in a bond of inseparable love
those who are united in the covenant of Marriage,
so that, as you make their love fruitful,
they may become, by your grace, witnesses to charity itself.
Through Christ our Lord
Amen.

Prayer of a Couple on the Anniversary of Marriage

We praise you, O God,
we bless you, Creator of all things,
who in the beginning made man and woman
that they might form a communion of life and love.
We also give you thanks
for graciously blessing our family life
so that it might present an image of Christ's union with the Church.
Therefore look with kindness upon us today,
and as you have sustained our communion
amid joys and struggles,
renew our Marriage covenant each day,
increase our charity,
and strengthen in us the bond of peace,
so that we may for ever enjoy your blessing.
Through Christ our Lord
Amen.

(Source: USCCB)

"THE SACRAMENT OF MARRIAGE"
—CCC, Nos. 1601–1666

What does marriage mean for you?

Woman and man are equal in human dignity. They were created by God for each other. “It is not good for man to be alone. I will make a suitable partner for him….The two of them become one body” (Gn 2:18;24).

Jesus taught: “Have you not read from the beginning the Creator ‘made them male and female’ and said, ‘For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh’? So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore, what God has joined together, no human being must separate” (Mt 19:3-6).

The covenant love of a woman and man in a Christian marriage witnesses to the covenant love and self-giving that Christ has for the Church. “By giving of themselves and serving one another, their family, and community, they help one another live out Christ’s call to discipleship, love, and service.” Their mutual love images God’s love for humanity.

The celebration of marriage is also a liturgical act. “The spouses, as ministers of Christ’s grace, mutually confer upon each other the sacrament of Matrimony by expressing their consent publicly before the Church and her ordained minister.” During the ceremony, the couple exchanges rings as a sign of their love and fidelity in the name of the “Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.”

The Sacrament “perfects the love of husband and wife, binds them together in fidelity, and helps them welcome and care for children.” Christ’s grace strengthens their covenant promises, helps them to bear each other’s burdens with love, forgiveness, and kindness.

By its very nature, the marriage covenant is ordered to the good of the couple, as well as to the generation and education of children. These are the unitive and procreative purposes of marriage. These purposes are fostered and protected by the permanence of the marriage covenant and the mutual fidelity of the spouses.

The Christian home is the place where parents teach and witness to their children about love, faith, justice, moral values, and concern for others. For this reason, the family is rightly called “the domestic church.”

Married couples may experience problems and other issues that threaten their union. The Church offers her support during these times. Sometimes the Church is called upon to determine whether the couple entered into a valid, sacramental bond and, if not, to issue a Declaration of Nullity (Annulment).

Please read this week USCCA,Chapter 21, "The Sacrament of Marriage," (pages 277–292), the CCC, Nos. 1601–1666, (pages 400–415), and the Compendium, Nos. 337–350

VIDEOS

"The Sacrament of Matrimony" (USCCB)

"What Is God's Desire for Marriage" (Bishop Don Hying)

"Sacraments 101 - Matrimony (Why Make it Catholic)" (Busted Halo)

"Sacraments 201 - Matrimony (More Questions Answered)" (Busted Halo)

"The Sacrament of Marriage" (Bishop Robert Barron)

"Sexuality, Sacrifice, and Love" (Bishop Robert Barron)

"Marriage and Relationships" (Bishop Robert Barron)

"The Domestic Church"

"Christian Family: Relationships"

"The Hookup Culture" (Bishop Robert Barron)

"The Childfree Life" (Bishop Robert Barron)

"Vocation of Single Life"

"Best Advice to Singles"

"Single Life - The Universal Call to Holiness"

"The Vocation of Single Catholics"

"Divorce and Catholics"

"The Sacrament of Matrimony" - CCC 1601-1620 (Fr. Daniel Mahan)

"Marriage - The Particulars" - CCC 1621-1666 (Fr. Daniel Mahan)

MUSIC

"My Life is in You Lord"

"Lord I Lift Your Name on High"

"Draw Me Close to You"

"Desert Song"

OTHER RESOURCES

Pope Francis Apostolic Exhortation Amoris Laetitia ("The Joy of Love") on love in the family

Vatican's Summary on Amoris Laetitia ("The Joy of Love") on love in the family

Matrimony - United in Love, Strengthened for Service"

"Matrimonio - Unidos en el amor, fortalecidos, para el servicio (USCCB)

"Marriage - Sacrament of Enduring Love" (USCCB)

"Celebrating the Rite of Marriage" (USCCB)

"Formation in Human Sexuality, Marriage and Family Life" (USCCB)

"Marriage: Love and Life in the Divine Plan" (USCCB)

Other Resources for Marriage and Family (USCCB)

"Parents and Parenting" (USCCB)

"Five Minute Faith - Annulments Explained" (Video)

Links to Other Sacrament Resources Available on this blogsite

REFLECT ON YOUR EXPERIENCE

How do you imitate the love of Christ and communion in your family and relationships?

When and how do you teach and witness to your children about love, faith, justice, moral values, and concern for others?

We encourage and invite you to  spend time to reflect, pray, and write in your journal about what you have read, seen, heard, or experienced this week. You can find some questions you may wish to consider here.

Glory be to the Father and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit,
as it was in the beginning, in now, and ever shall be.
Amen.