Rachel Evans
Marriage in the Catholic Church, also known as holy matrimony, is a lifelong partnership between a man and a woman that is ordered by its nature to the good of the spouses and the procreation and education of offspring. The Catholic Church views matrimony as a sacrament instituted by Christ to give grace and to reflect his relationship as an eternal bridegroom with his bride, the Church. The Church teaches that the matrimonial covenant is established between a man and a woman, forming a partnership of their whole lives, and is a deeply personal unity that leads to forming one heart and soul.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Nature of marriage | A lifelong partnership of the whole of life, of mutual and exclusive fidelity, established by mutual consent between one man and one woman. |
| Permanence | The permanency of marriage allows each spouse to reveal all that they are and all that they are not to the other. |
| Dignity of matrimonial union | The well-being of the individual person and of both human and Christian society is closely bound up with the healthy state of conjugal and family life. |
| Sacrament | The Catholic Church recognizes sacramental marriages between two baptized non-Catholic Christians, as well as marriages between baptized non-Catholic Christians and Catholic Christians. |
| Consent | The sacrament occurs when fiancés give and receive mutual consent by exchanging vows. |
| Procreation and education of offspring | Marriage establishes a family and is ordered towards the good of the spouses and the procreation and education of children. |
| Unity | Marriage aims at a deeply personal unity, a unity that, beyond union in one flesh, leads to forming one heart and soul. |
| Fertility | Marriage is open to fertility. |
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What You'll Learn
Marriage is a lifelong partnership
The Catechism of the Catholic Church defines marriage as a "lifelong partnership of the whole of life, of mutual and exclusive fidelity, established by mutual consent between one man and one woman". This definition emphasizes the permanence and exclusivity of the marriage bond, which is rooted in the spouses' mutual consent and promise to give themselves totally to each other.
The Catholic Church teaches that marriage is a sacrament instituted by Christ to give grace. It is a reflection of Christ's relationship with his bride, the Church, and it is meant to bring joy and blessing to humanity. The matrimonial union is meant to be a source of personal and social good, contributing to the well-being of individuals, families, and society as a whole.
In a Catholic marriage, the spouses promise to be there for each other through all of life's ups and downs, revealing their true selves - the good, the bad, and the ugly. This level of intimacy and vulnerability is only possible because of the permanence of the marriage covenant. Without the assurance of lifelong commitment, spouses may constantly worry about being good enough for each other or feel pressured to "do" for each other instead of simply "being" with each other.
Marriage, as a lifelong partnership, also provides a stable foundation for family life and the upbringing of children. It establishes a family unit, mirroring the trinitarian love of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. The love between husband and wife extends beyond themselves and ultimately leads to the creation of new life, as their love produces another person - a child - who is loved and cherished.
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Marriage is a sacrament
The Catechism of the Catholic Church defines marriage as a "lifelong partnership of the whole of life, of mutual and exclusive fidelity, established by mutual consent between one man and one woman". This definition is rich in meaning and each element deserves deeper explanation and reflection.
Firstly, the Catechism emphasizes the permanence of marriage as a "lifelong partnership". This permanence allows spouses to reveal their true selves to each other without fear of rejection. It enables them to "be" for each other rather than merely "do" for each other, fostering a total self-gift.
Secondly, the marriage sacrament is a covenant or partnership that involves the whole of life. It is ordered towards the good of the spouses and the procreation and education of offspring. This means that marriage is not just about the couple but also about the family they create and the community they build together.
Thirdly, the sacrament of marriage is established through the mutual consent of the spouses. This consent is sealed by God Himself, creating a bond that is perpetual and exclusive. The spouses mutually give and receive each other, forming a unity of one heart and soul, demanding indissolubility and faithfulness.
Marriage, as a sacrament, reflects Christ's relationship with His bride, the Church. It is a powerful symbol of God's love for humanity and His desire for our love in return. The love between spouses is meant to mirror the self-giving and sacrificial love of God, where both parties give their whole selves to each other freely and unconditionally.
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Marriage is a covenant
The matrimonial covenant is a promise of total mutual self-giving, a unity that goes beyond flesh and leads to the formation of one heart and soul. It demands indissolubility and faithfulness, and it is open to fertility and the procreation and education of offspring. This self-giving is a reflection of God's love, where He gives Himself wholly and unconditionally.
The Catholic Church teaches that matrimony is a sacrament instituted by Christ, reflecting His relationship as the eternal bridegroom with His bride, the Church. The sacrament occurs when the spouses give and receive mutual consent by exchanging vows, sealing their covenant in the presence of God. This covenant is integrated into God's covenant with man, where "authentic married love is caught up into divine love."
The permanence of marriage allows each spouse to reveal their true selves to the other, fostering a deep communion that strengthens and completes their relationship. Through their love and unity, husband and wife establish a family, a reflection of the trinitarian love of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. This family unit is a fundamental building block of society, contributing to its well-being and reflecting the divine community of love.
In summary, Catholic marriage is a covenant that sanctifies the union of a man and a woman, elevating their love to a sacred level that reflects the divine. It is a lifelong commitment that brings spouses closer to God and to each other, fostering a community of love that extends beyond the couple to their children and the wider society.
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Marriage is a reflection of God's love
Marriage is a holy union in the Catholic Church, also known as holy matrimony. It is a lifelong partnership between a man and a woman, established through mutual consent and ordered towards the good of the spouses and the procreation and education of offspring. This covenant between baptised persons has been elevated by Christ to the status of a sacrament.
The Catholic Church considers marriage to be a reflection of God's love. Marriage, according to Scripture, is the most frequently used symbol to describe God's relationship with His people. The Bible is replete with marriage imagery, from Genesis to Revelation, illustrating the love between God and His people. This analogy works both ways: God compares Himself to marriage, revealing that He is like married love, and that married love should strive to emulate Him. Marriage, in its totality and freedom, reflects God's unconditional and all-encompassing love.
The love within marriage is a reflection of God's love in its depth and commitment. It transcends the intimacy of friendship, reaching new levels of devotion. This commitment elevates the act of sacrificing for one's spouse to a noble act, akin to God's sacrificial love. Marriage, as a community of love between two people, mirrors the Trinity, God's community of love among three Persons.
Furthermore, marriage not only unites two individuals in love but also establishes a family. The love between husband and wife is so powerful that it extends beyond them, resulting in the creation of a new life—a child. This trinitarian love reflects the love within the Trinity, where the love between the Father and the Son is so strong that it begets the Holy Spirit.
The Catholic Church teaches that matrimony is a sacrament instituted by Christ to bestow grace. It reflects Christ's relationship as the eternal bridegroom with His bride, the Church. Through marriage, spouses experience a oneness of heart and soul, mirroring the unity and indissolubility present in God's love.
In conclusion, Catholic marriage is a reflection of God's love in its totality, freedom, depth, and commitment. It establishes a family, mirroring the trinitarian love within the Trinity. As a sacrament, it reflects Christ's relationship with the Church, emphasising the unity and permanence present in God's love.
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Marriage is a commitment to fidelity
Marriage in the Catholic Church, or holy matrimony, is a covenant in which a man and a woman establish a lifelong partnership of the whole of life. It is ordered by its nature towards the good of the spouses and the procreation and education of offspring. This covenant between baptised persons has been elevated by Christ to the status of a sacrament.
The matrimonial covenant is established by mutual consent between one man and one woman, sealed by God. This consent is not about what marriage is but about whom one is marrying. The spouses mutually give and receive each other, and from their covenant arises a bond that is perpetual and exclusive. Their love demands indissolubility and faithfulness in definitive mutual giving.
Marriage is a total and free commitment. It is a decision, an act of the will, rather than an emotion or feeling. The immensity of the love between partners demands totality, reflecting how God gives his whole self when he loves. God gives his gifts without condition or coercion, and lovers want to give their whole selves to their beloved.
The Catholic Church teaches that matrimony is a sacrament instituted by Christ to give grace. It reflects his relationship as the eternal bridegroom with his bride, the Church. Marriage is thus a powerful image of God's enormous love for us and his desire for our love in return.
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Frequently asked questions
The goal of Catholic marriage is to unite a man and a woman in a lifelong partnership of the whole of life, reflecting God's relationship with his people.
The partnership is one of mutual and exclusive fidelity, demanding indissolubility and faithfulness.
Consent is essential to Catholic marriage. The sacrament occurs when fiancés give and receive mutual consent by exchanging vows.
Catholic marriage is a sacrament instituted by Christ to give grace. It reflects his relationship as the eternal bridegroom with his bride, the Church.
Catholic marriage is based on the belief that marriage is not a purely human institution but is ordered by God. It carries a spiritual dimension, raising natural conjugal love to the expression of specifically Christian values.
