Marriage

Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless. In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. . . we are members of his (Christ’s)  body.  For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh. This is a profound mystery--but I am talking about Christ and the church. . . . each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband. (Ephesians 5:25-32)

Jesus’ first miracle, at the request of Mary, his mother, took place at a wedding feast. The Sacrament of Matrimony, celebrated by the Church with great joy and thanksgiving, confers immense dignity, holiness, and strength upon the loving commitment of a man and woman.  No longer are they just two individuals. Through the sacrament, they join themselves as one before God in an ongoing bond.

Preparation for Marriage

Marriage is a most important commitment. The Church wants each couple to be well prepared for their lifelong journey together. It is not important whether the couple plans an elaborate wedding ceremony, or just a simple celebration with family and friends.  The Church’s primary concern is to see that each couple is ready to live a lifelong commitment of love together.  It therefore asks them to do the following as they prepare for marriage.

AT LEAST SIX MONTHS BEFORE YOUR CHOSEN WEDDING DATE

Contact the Parish

Make an Appointment to Meet with a Priest. Couples preparing for marriage should call the parish office, at least six months prior to their chosen wedding date. The parish secretary will help you set up an appointment to speak with a priest. A wedding date cannot be reserved until the couple completed this step.  Call the parish office:  562 498-6641

Meet with the Priest

You will be interviewed by one of the priests from the parish. During the meeting, he will ask if you are free to marry, and question you about your understanding of the commitment you are about to make and your ability to carry it out. This is a chance for you to ask questions as well. At that time, you will receive the name and phone number of our Parish Wedding Coordinator.

Obtain a Copy of your Baptismal Certificate from the Church where You were Baptized.

Both parties will be asked to obtain and present copies of their baptismal certificates. (If one party is Catholic and the other is not baptized, or baptized in another faith, the marriage still may take place in the Church.)

In the event that you can't find your certificate, the parish secretary can explain how to obtain a copy. Call her at: (562) 498-6641