THE SACRAMENT OF

MATRIMONY
 I. HISTORY

The Old Testament

The Jews believed that the Sacrament of Matrimony was only instituted by God (Gen.
2:23-24) and is secured by the ten commandments (Ex. 20: 14,17) and by the Law (Lev.
20:10). Although it was believed that under the Old Law, marriage is not sacramental.
While there was no mention of the Sacrament of Matrimony being considered as a
religious event or ceremony. During the early times, it was just a simple marriage
between a male and a female (Gen. 24:63-67). Undergoing marriage was considered
forbidden in certain degrees of kindred or commonly known as marriage between blood
relatives (Lev. 18). However, a practice called Levirate Marriage or Kinsman Redeemer
was done. This is a process wherein a blood-related brother has to marry the widow of
his deceased brother in order to continue carrying his name (Deut. 25:5,10). And if no
brother survived, the nearest blood relative of the deceased husband is supposed to
follow the line as his responsibility (Ruth 3:12; 4:4-10).

During this era, polygamy was allowed by the Patriarchs (Gen. 4:19, 16:13, 26:34, 28:9,
29:28, 30:3 ff.) and was recognized by Moses’ Law as well (Ex. 21:9-10) although it was
not encouraged (Lev. 18:18, Deut. 17:17). The nobles and kings have multiple wives
and mistresses (2 Kings 3:2-5, 3 Kings 11:3) although the law was against their
practices (Deut. 17:17). Many of the well-known Patriarchs such as Adam, Noe and
Isaac are said to have married multiple times. Prophets emphasize that marriage is only
to be considered as the symbol of having union with God.

The New Testament

Marriage is a Christian and a Jewish tradition for a man and a woman to exchange
wedding vows before God and His Church as well as in front of a chosen group of
people. It is a sacred moment between the bride and groom that would result to unity of
the couple, and this union is a holy and a life-long, unconditional, uncompromising
commitment. The Christian tradition only considers the marriage if the man and woman
has gone through the Sacrament of Baptism. It would symbolize as a source of grace
and God’s life-giving Spirit of love. The self-revelation of God in the history of the Bible
embodies His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ. It depicts the awareness of God’s Love
and that all of the genuine love is from Him (1 Jn 4,7). The core and source of all true
love is God.

The Sacrament of Matrimony has a vast part on the Christian faith. It has been the state
of life and a central theme of the Church’s teaching and canonical discipline. Divorce,
annulment or premarital sex is rooted in the Bible. It was stated that it is considered as a
distortion of God’s original intention of marriage (Mt 5:31–32; Mt 19:3–12; Mk 10:2–12;
Lk 16:18). A person must not separate from his or her partner. Although if the person
still desires to part ways with his or her partner, the person must remain unmarried or be
reconciled to his or her husband. Once a pair has chosen to partake in the Sacrament
of Matrimony, they are said to be bound as long as they live. But if a person passes
away, the partner is free to marry anyone that he or she wishes. (1 Cor. 7). A
relationship is a type of unity between Christ and His Church among the husband and
wives. But the wife is said to “submit” herself to her husband. The husband is the head
of the family and dominant to the wife. This is because Christ is also the head of the
Church, and He is the savior of the flesh and body (Eph 5:22-24).

Throughout the years, the theological reflection and meaning of the Sacrament of
Matrimony gradually shifts distinctly of the Christian understanding of marriage. The
Code of Canon Law also known as Codex Juris Canonici has the official compilation of
the ecclesiastical law that was written in 1917 and rewritten by Pope John Paul II for the
Roman Catholics. This book contains the appreciation of the evolution of the theological
process of marriages and canonical discipline. It depicts the beginning of the Christian
theology of marriage. The combination of this reflection is from the medieval synthesis
of the responses from the Church to their challenges up until its principles on the
Sacrament of Matrimony from the sixteenth century secular authorities as well as
reformers.

The Early Church

The early Christians did not change the process and their beliefs to the customs
according to the fact that the Sacrament of Matrimony was constituted and lived. They
maintained the process of their marriages based on the instilled traditional practices that
was first portrayed by the Jews, Christians and later the Greco-Romans (1 Cor. 7:39).

Gnoticism was an amorphous movement to be known as the challenges of the

understanding of the Sacrament of Matrimony. This is the practice wherein the Church
was somehow attacked. Some were against the process of marriage. The Church
struggled with Gnoticism. This enabled the Church to express its own meaning and
vision of the Sacrament of Matrimony. Gnoticism is advocated as a metaphysical,
ethical, humane and a theological dualism.

Denial of procreation is viewed as legal and was disregarded to be evil since this course
of action was a result of the imprisonment of the souls in the corporeality. Sexual
intercourse of all kinds were permitted and acceptable, sometimes obliged, as long as
procreation would be avoided (Noonan, J., n.d).

In the Jewish, Greco-Roman, Catholic and Christian cultures, it is recognized by the law
that the Sacrament of Matrimony was a “social fact”. And that marrying was almost an
exclusively family matter. In this ceremony, the involvement of religious and or civil
authority was not necessary. Liturgical rites have then gradually emerged. It was then
viewed as a religious ceremony and celebration. The validity of marriage was then
recognized by the Council of Trent during the sixteenth century (Stevenson, K., 1987).

Today’s Church

The process, beliefs and rituals from the early church has still been instilled in today’s
society. The Catholic marriages require the Sacrament of Matrimony. There are some
exceptional cases wherein the Catholic Church cannot validly execute the ceremony
unless there is a presence of a priest. The ceremony will be considered invalid if the
Catholic couple attempts to marry before the officials like the minister or any civil
magistrate such as a justice of peace or judge). Attempting this act is considered as a
grave sin and the couple will be living a habitual mortal sin.

The presence of the minister or a civil magistrate during the ceremony or marriage of
two non-Catholics is considered a genuine marriage. If the couple are not baptized their
ceremony will be called “natural” marriage, such that the occurrence of their marriage
was before Jesus Christ who instituted the Sacrament of Matrimony. Likewise, if the
non-Catholics are then baptized, then their marriage can now be considered and
recognized as a sacrament.

II. THEOLOGY

Marriage is a gift from God.

- In the biblical witness, we experience God’s gift of marriage for the
intention of companionship, joy, and the strengthening of the
human family. As God’s holy and beloved, we were created to
function and thrive in relationships. Marriage is a unique
relationship – a sacred and public covenantal promise – that binds
two individuals together in loving, supporting, and nurturing
relationship for the sake of the world. Jesus affirmed the covenant
of marriage and revealed the fullness of God’s loving, supporting,
and nurturing relationship with the world.

Marriage is also a human institution

- The covenant of marriage is entered between two people with the
public declaration (vows) of love and fidelity. When two people
enter into this holy commitment, they pledge their faith and trust to
each other and to God. The gathered assembly surrounds the
couple to express their support of this covenantal act and to offer
their prayers and praise to God for the commitment being enacted
for the well-being of the whole human family. Together with the
couple, the whole assembly through the Holy Spirit gives witness to
the love of God in Christ Jesus.

PURPOSE OF MARRIAGE:
- Marriage is intended to be a faithful, exclusive, lifelong union of a man and a
woman. Committing themselves completely to each other, a Catholic husband
and wife strive to sanctify each other, bring children into the world, and educate
them in the Catholic way of life.
MATTER & FORM OF MARRIAGE:
- Form: The couple, meaning one man and one woman: The I do's, by which both
spouses indicate their mutual consent to the marriage covenant.

Matter: Mutual Consent and Covenant to live together as husband and wife after
the consummation of the Marriage.

III. RITES

The Introductory Rites

The First Form

● At the appointed time, the Priest, wearing an alb and a stole and chasuble of the
color of the Mass to be celebrated, goes with the servers to the door of the
church, receives the bridal party, and warmly greets them, showing that the
Church shares in their joy.
● The procession to the altar then takes place in the customary manner.
Meanwhile, the Entrance Chant takes place.

● The Priest approaches the altar, reverences it with a profound bow, and
venerates it with a kiss. After this, he goes to the chair.

The Second Form

● At the appointed time, the Priest, wearing an alb and a stole and chasuble of the
color of the Mass to be celebrated, goes with the servers to the place prepared
for the couple or to his chair.
● When the couple have arrived at their place, the Priest receives them and warmly
greets them, showing that the Church shares in their joy.
● Then, during the Entrance Chant, the Priest approaches the altar, reverences it
with a profound bow, and venerates it with a kiss. After this, he goes to the chair.
● Then, after the Sign of the Cross has been made, the Priest greets those
present, using one of the formulas provided in The Roman Missal.

Then, in these or similar words, the Priest addresses the couple and those present to
dispose them inwardly for the celebration of Marriage:
“We have come rejoicing into the house of the Lord for this celebration, dear
brothers and sisters, and now we stand with N. and N. on the day they intend to
form a home of their own. For them this is a moment of unique importance. So let
us support them with our affection, with our friendship, and with our prayer as
their brothers and sisters. Let us listen attentively with them to the word that God
speaks to us today. Then, with holy Church, let us humbly pray to God the
Father, through Christ our Lord, for this couple, his servants, that he lovingly
accept them, bless them, and make them always one.”

Or:

“N. and N., the Church shares your joy and warmly welcomes you, together with
your families and friends, as today, in the presence of God our Father, you
establish between yourselves a lifelong partnership. May the Lord hear you on
this your joyful day. May he send you 2help from heaven and protect you. May
he grant you your hearts’ desire and fulfill every one of your prayers.”

The Rite of Marriage

(All stand, including the bride and bridegroom, whom the priest now addresses in the
following or similar words.)
ADDRESS

Dear children of God, you have come today to pledge your love before God and
before the Church here present today in the person of the priest, your families and
friends.

In becoming husband and wife you give yourselves to each other for life. You
promise to be true and faithful, to support and cherish each other until death, so that
your years together will be the living out in love of the pledge you now make. May your
love for each other reflect the enduring love of Christ for his Church.

As you face the future together, keep in mind that the sacrament of marriage
unites you with Christ, and brings you, through the years, the grace and blessing of God
our Father. Marriage is from God: he alone can give you the happiness which goes
beyond human expectation, and which grows deeper through the difficulties and
struggles of life.
 Put your trust in God as you set out together in life. Make your home a centre of
Christian family life. (In this you will bequeath to your children a heritage more lasting
than temporal wealth.)

The Christian home makes Christ and his Church present in the world of
everyday things. May all who enter your home find there the presence of the Lord: for
he has said: "Where two or three are gathered in 5 my name, there am I in the midst of
them."

Now as you are about to exchange your marriage vows, the Church wishes to be
assured that you appreciate the meaning of what you do, and so I ask you:

Have you come here of your own free will and choice and without compulsion to marry
each other?

N & N: We have.

Will you love and honour each other in marriage all the days of your life?

N & N: We will. Are you willing to accept with love the children God may send you, and
bring them up in accordance with the law of Christ and his Church?

N & N: We are.

Declaration of Consent

I invite you to declare before God and his Church your consent to become
husband and wife.

They join hands. The Priest then asks the bridegroom:

N, do you take N, as your wife for better,
for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness
and in health, all the days of your life?

Groom: I do.

The Priest then asks the bride:

N, do you take N, as your husband for better,
for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness
and in health, all the days of your life?
Bride: I do.

When the bride and bridegroom have given their consent, the Priest says:
What God joins together man must not separate.
May the Lord confirm the consent you have given
and enrich you with his blessing.

IV. CASES

The Sacrament of Matrimony is a sacred union of a man and a woman to a

lifelong commitment, established for the good of each other and the procreation of
God’s Children. But like any other sacraments, there are still instances that go beyond
the walls of the sacrament.

1. What happens to a wedding if someone objects during the ceremony?

- The testimony would then have to be delivered under oath, according to the
Catholic Encyclopedia, and the priest would have to defer the marriage and
investigate the claim. Currently, before the wedding, the validity of a marriage is
determined when a couple gets a marriage license at the office of their city clerk.
Current documents (such as numbers for social security, birth certificates,
marriage and divorce papers) are so detailed that systems such as polygamous
marriages never slip under the radar, even across borders. In shorter terms, you
can’t object to a wedding just because you love either of the participants. Under
the Catholic Church's Canon Law, impediments to marriage include either the
bride or groom who is already married, who has made a vow of celibacy, who is
underage, who has been kidnapped or forced into marriage, who has not been
baptized, etc.

2. Can I remarry if I’m divorced or annulled?

- If a person was validly married and then divorced but never got an annulment,
then in the eyes of the Church that person is still married. In the Catholic Church,
he or she can not validly marry again.

3. What is the relevance of a wedding entourage?

- The only people you need at your wedding are the main sponsors. Their primary
purpose is to act and sign the marriage contract as witnesses to your
marriage.You will need three pairs of secondary sponsors for Catholic Church
weddings. Before the marriage ceremony, the sponsors of the candle light
 wedding candles, the sponsors of the veil drape the veil over the shoulder of the
groom and the head of the bride, and the sponsors of the cord attach or put the
cord over the bride.

V. REFERENCES
Beal, J., Coriden J., Green, T. (1998) Title VI-Marriage [canons. 1055-1165], Historical
Overview. Canon Law Society of America. Retrieved from
http://www.ldysinger.com/THM_544_Marriage/05_Hist_Devt/00a_start.htm
n.a. (n.d) The Sacrament of Matrimony. Retrieved from https://www.holytrinity-
shreveport.com/39-the-sacrament-of-matrimony.html
Akin, D. (2004, August) Levirate Marriage – Kinsman-Redeemer – Ruth. Retrieved from
https://www.danielakin.com/levirate-marriage-kinsman-redeemer/
N.an (n.d) Catholic Marriage: A Union Sealed by the Sacrament of Matrimony.
Retrieved from http://www.beginningcatholic.com/catholic-marriage
Wolchover, N. (2012). What if someone objects at your wedding?. Retrieved from:
https://www.livescience.com/22193-wedding-marriage-objection.html
The CarholicChurch, Divorce, and Annulment. Retrieved from:
https://www.dummies.com/religion/christianity/catholicism/the-catholic-church-divorce-
and-annulment/
(2017). Roles, Responsibilities and how to choose members for your entourage.
https://brideandbreakfast.ph/2017/08/02/roles-responsibilities-and-how-to-choose-
members-for-your-entourage/