holy matrimony
Congratulations on your engagement! This is one of the most exciting seasons in life. Let us help you get ready for more than just the wedding day. We want to help you prepare for a happy and lasting marriage, not just a happy wedding day.
Sacrament of Holy Matrimony
The Church asks every couple seeking the Sacrament of Holy Matrimony to have a minimum of six months of engagement before their wedding day. Please contact the parish office at least six months before the desired date to submit a request and to begin the Witness to Love Marriage Preparation Program. This time of preparation helps to prepare engaged couples for the commitment of the Sacrament. With the direction of the parish priest, the program uses a team of married couples, called mentor couples, who work with the engaged couple one-on-one. To begin this process, please call 937-498-2307.
According to Canon Law, a Catholic marriage must meet the following requirements:
- At least one of the spouses is baptized Catholic
- The wedding must be celebrated in a Catholic church in the presence of a Catholic priest/deacon/bishop and in the presence of two other witnesses
- The two spouses must be free to be married (e.g. no prior valid marriages or any other vow that would impede the spouse from fulfilling their commitment)
- They must be psychologically mature and capable of consenting to the marriage; and they must understand the nature of a Catholic marriage (exclusive, permanent, and open to having children)