Matrimony
Where two lives become
one in God’s grace.
Matrimony is the sacrament by which a baptized man and woman freely enter a lifelong covenant, mutually giving and receiving each other for the good of the spouses and the procreation and education of children, and are strengthened by Christ to mirror His faithful love for the Church. By their consent, sealed by God, spouses become a sign of Christ’s covenant and form a “domestic church,” a living cell of ecclesial life and mission. Grace elevates their ordinary life (work, parenting, prayer, and mercy) into a path of sanctification and witness, even amid trials, calling them to fidelity, fruitfulness, and forgiveness. As St. John Chrysostom taught, the Christian home becomes a “little church,” where spouses and children learn charity, prayer, and virtue, and from which the Gospel radiates into the world.
At St. Michael’s, marriage preparation is offered for engaged couples who are seeking to celebrate the Sacrament of Matrimony in the Catholic Church. Couples who wish to be married at St. Michael’s are asked to begin the preparation process well in advance and to complete all parish and diocesan requirements prior to the celebration of the sacrament.
Marriage preparation includes meetings with clergy, participation in the required formation process, and guidance in understanding Catholic marriage as a sacred covenant and lifelong vocation. Through prayer, conversation, and reflection, couples are invited to grow together in faith and prepare for a strong, Christ-centered marriage.
This preparation is intended to help couples deepen their understanding of the spiritual meaning of marriage while also addressing the practical and relational foundations needed for married life. The Church desires not only to prepare couples for a wedding, but to support them in building a faithful and lasting marriage.
Specific information regarding preparation requirements, timelines, policies, and wedding scheduling is shared during the process and follows parish and diocesan guidelines.
To begin the Matrimony preparation process or to learn more about marriage at St. Michael’s, please contact
Sr. Rose Paul srrosepaul@stmichaelscatholic.com
St. Michael’s Parish is honored to accompany couples as they prepare to enter into the Sacrament of Matrimony and begin their vocation to married life in Christ.