Christian Marriage
“He [Jesus] said in reply, ‘Have you not read that 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.’”
- Matthew 19:4-6
God is the author of marriage.
“The matrimonial covenant by which a man and a woman establish between themselves a partnership of the whole of life, is by its nature ordered toward the good of the spouses and the procreation and education of offspring; this covenant between baptized persons has been raised by Christ the Lord to the dignity of a sacrament” (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1601).
Christian marriage is a liturgical act. It is appropriate that it should be held in a public liturgy at church. By their marriage, the couple shows Christ’s marital love for the Church.
The spouses are the ministers of the sacrament. As ministers of Christ’s grace, the couple mutually confers upon each other the sacrament of Marriage by expressing their consent before the Church. There must be free consent.
Unity, permanent lifelong commitment, and openness to having and caring for children are essential to Christian marriage.
How to get married at Saint Francis Xavier Parish?
Fill out the Christian Marriage Interest Form on this page or call the office at 920-336-1813.
A couple planning for Christian marriage must meet with Father Jason at least nine months prior to their planned wedding date so that necessary preparation can be made.
One of the members of the couple must be Catholic.
Christian Marriage Contact
Father Jason Blahnik
920-336-1813
FrJason@saintsdepere.org
Christian Marriage Interest Form
Please fill out the following form if you are interested at getting married at Saint Francis Xavier Church.
Frequently Asked Question about getting married in the Catholic Church?
What is required to have a valid marriage that is recognized by the Catholic Church?
In order for a marriage to be valid, there are four elements that must be present. One, the spouses need to be free to marry. Two, they have to freely exchange their consent. Three, in consenting to marriage, they have to have the intention of a lifelong marriage, to be faithful to one another, and to be open to children. Four, their consent has to be given in the presence of two witnesses and before a properly authorized Church minister, usually a priest or a deacon.
Can a Catholic marry a non-Catholic Christian? Can they marry a non-Christian?
The answer to both questions is yes. If the person is a non-Catholic Christian (baptized), “permission to enter into a mixed marriage” must be given. If the person is a non-Christian (not baptized), a “dispensation from disparity of cult” must be received.
Why does a Catholic wedding have to take place in a church?
For Catholics, a wedding is not just for the couple or their family, but it is a gift to both the Church and the world. For this reason, the Church requires that a marriage between Catholics, or between Catholics and a non-Catholic, be celebrated in a church, preferably the parish church of one of the spouses.
When a Catholic marries a non-Catholic, must the non-Catholic promise to raise the children in the Catholic faith?
The non-Catholic spouse does not have to promise to have the children raised Catholic. The Catholic spouse must promise to do all that he or she can to have the children baptized and raised in the Catholic faith.
Is it required that a wedding celebration have expensive flowers, clothing, reception, and other accompaniments?
The Rite of Marriage does not require these things. The focus of the couple should be on the celebration of the sacrament.
Why does the Catholic Church require engaged couples to participate in a marriage preparation program?
Marriage preparation offers couples the opportunity to develop a better understanding of Christian marriage; to evaluate and deepen their readiness to live married life; and to gain insights into themselves as individuals and as a couple. It is especially effective in helping couples deal with the challenges of the early years of marriage.