Joshua Bennett
In Catholicism, matrimony is considered a sacrament – a visible sign of God's grace that consecrates human love, sexuality, and procreation to a higher purpose. The outward sign in the sacrament of matrimony is the mutual consent of the persons, expressed through words or symbols in accordance with the laws of the Church. This can include symbols such as wedding rings, which represent unity, completeness, and eternal love, or the exchange of coins, which signifies the sharing of everything in marriage. Catholics view matrimony as a holy union, indissoluble except by death, and believe that God is the author of marriage, demonstrating His love for those He created.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Outward sign in matrimony | Mutual consent of the persons, expressed by words or signs in accordance with the laws of the Church |
| Inward grace | Supernatural help conferred on the parties, enabling them to bear difficulties and perform obligations towards each other and their children |
| Institution of marriage as a Sacrament by | Scripture, tradition, and the positive teaching of the Church |
| Marriage contract | Surrender of bodies to each other, declaring by word or sign their commitment to each other as husband and wife for life |
| Chief ends of the Sacrament of Matrimony | Consecrates human love, sexuality, and procreation to a higher purpose |
| Symbols of the Sacrament of Marriage | Single wedding ring, two clasped hands, cord with three strands (representing God, wife, and husband), exchange of coins |
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What You'll Learn
Mutual consent of the persons
In the Catholic Church, the outward sign in the Sacrament of Matrimony is the mutual consent of the persons, expressed through words or signs in accordance with Church laws. This mutual consent is considered the indispensable element that "makes the marriage". The consent consists of a "human act" in which the partners mutually give themselves to each other, declaring, "I take you to be my wife" or "I take you to be my husband". This consent is a free mutual agreement or contract, with each party acting of their own volition, without constraint or fear, in accordance with the laws of the Church.
The mutual consent of the persons is a critical aspect of Catholic matrimonial law, which is based on Roman law's focus on marriage as a free mutual agreement. This law became the basis for the marriage laws of all European countries before the Reformation. The Church's position is that a valid sacramental consummated marriage is indissoluble, and it does not recognise divorce from such a marriage. However, it may declare a marriage null if an impediment existed at the time of the ceremony, allowing the persons involved to marry again.
The mutual consent of the spouses is also significant because, in the Latin Catholic tradition, it is understood that the spouses themselves confer marriage upon each other. They serve as ministers of grace, expressing their consent before the Church. This consent is typically expressed through vows made during the wedding rite, committing themselves to each other "til death do us part". After the death of one spouse, the surviving spouse is free to marry again or remain single, with some choosing to become priests or religious figures.
The mutual consent of the persons in Catholic matrimony is not only a legal and religious requirement but also a symbolic representation of the couple's commitment. The exchange of wedding rings, a symbol of matrimony, represents the fidelity and permanence of the marriage covenant. The act of joining hands during the wedding ceremony further signifies the strength of their union and their commitment to journey through married life together.
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Wedding rings
In the Catholic Church, wedding rings are imbued with deep symbolic meaning. The exchange of rings during the wedding ceremony is a profound symbol of the couple's enduring commitment and their promise to reflect Christ's love for His Church. The ring is a reminder of the promise that another has made to you and of the promise that God has made to you both.
The outward sign in the Sacrament of Matrimony is the mutual consent of the persons, expressed by words or signs in accordance with the laws of the Church. Catholics should be married before the altar in the Church, ideally in the morning, with a Nuptial Mass. The Nuptial Mass includes the Liturgy of the Word, the Rite of Marriage with the exchange of vows and rings, and the Liturgy of the Eucharist. Hymns are sung, psalms are read, and cherished friends or family members share passages from the Old and New Testament. These steps lead up to the pivotal moment of the exchange of rings.
The engagement ring serves as a meaningful precursor to the wedding ring, symbolising the couple's intention to marry and their preparation for the sacred sacrament. During the ceremony, the rings are blessed by the priest and then placed on the fourth finger of the left hand—a tradition held dear in Catholic countries like Ireland and Latin America. In most cultures, people wear both the engagement ring and wedding ring on the left-hand ring finger.
The design of the wedding ring itself carries symbolic meaning. The ring is round without beginning or end, representing the never-ending nature of marriage. The hollow centre signifies that marriage is a channel of love from one spouse to the other. The tight fit of the ring on the finger symbolises that each spouse is tightly bound to the other with a firm, intimate, and chaste love reserved solely for their partner. Interlocking wedding rings further symbolise the permanence and indissolubility of the marriage covenant.
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Clasped hands
In Catholic matrimony, the outward sign is the mutual consent of the persons, expressed by words or signs in accordance with the laws of the Church. The clasping of hands between the bride and groom is a symbol of their union and their commitment to each other. The Order of Celebrating Matrimony instructs the couple to join their right hands as they exchange consent. The couple's hands are then covered with a stole, a symbol of a priest or deacon, which signifies that their marriage is a sacrament.
The clasping of hands during the marriage ceremony is a powerful symbol of the couple's unity and their journey through married life together. It is a physical representation of their mutual consent and agreement to the marriage contract, in which they surrender their bodies to each other and declare their commitment for life. The couple's hands, joined together, symbolize their strength and unity as a couple, and their willingness to walk through life as partners.
The stole placed over the joined hands of the couple is also significant. It represents the authority of the priest or deacon and acknowledges the sacrament of their union. This act recognizes the sacred nature of the marriage and the presence of God in their union. The stole is a visual reminder of the couple's commitment to each other and their dedication to upholding the values of their faith.
While the clasping of hands is a common tradition in Catholic matrimony, it is not mandatory for a valid marriage. However, it is a meaningful gesture that adds symbolism and depth to the wedding ceremony. The physical act of joining hands emphasizes the couple's unity and their willingness to stand together as they embark on their married life. It is a visual representation of their love, commitment, and the strength of their bond.
In addition to clasped hands, there are other symbols associated with Catholic matrimony. These include a single wedding ring, interlocking wedding rings, a three-ply rope, a marriage cross, and two doves. Each of these symbols holds a unique meaning that reflects the values and significance of the sacrament of marriage within the Catholic Church.
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Cord with three strands
The outward sign in the Sacrament of Matrimony in the Catholic Church is the mutual consent of the persons, expressed by words or signs in accordance with the laws of the Church. The whole essence of the marriage contract consists of the surrender of their bodies to each other and declaring by word or sign that they make this surrender and take each other for husband and wife now and for life.
The Sacrament of Matrimony is one of the seven sacraments of the Catholic Church. A sacrament is a visible sign of an invisible reality that gives grace. In marriage, the visible sign is the love that a husband and wife have for each other. The invisible reality to which they point is the love that Jesus has for his bride, the Church.
The three-ply cord, or the cord with three strands, is a symbol of the Sacrament of Marriage. The three strands represent God, the wife, and the husband. The strands are tightly woven together and signify that a couple closely connected to each other and to God is far stronger than a solitary individual. The symbolism is based on the Scripture verse, "A three-ply cord is not easily broken" (Ecclesiastes 4:12a). The three-strand cord is stronger than a one-strand cord, and when individuals have friends who stand with them, they become stronger and more useful.
The other symbols of the Sacrament of Marriage include two clasped hands, two doves, a heart, a single wedding ring, two interlocking wedding rings, three flowers, the marriage cross, and water jars.
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Exchange of coins
The outward sign in the Sacrament of Catholic matrimony is the mutual consent of the persons, expressed by words or signs in accordance with the laws of the Church. The essence of the marriage contract involves the surrender of the persons' bodies to each other and the declaration that they take each other as husband and wife now and forever.
The exchange of coins during Catholic wedding ceremonies is a traditional element that holds symbolic significance. This custom, known as "las arras" or "arrhae" in Spanish, involves the use of wedding tokens or unity coins. In Christian weddings, particularly in Spain, Latin American countries, and the Philippines, this tradition holds a special place.
The exchange of coins symbolizes the prosperity and financial responsibility shared by the couple in their married life. The number of coins typically exchanged is thirteen, representing the twelve months of the year, with twelve gold coins and one platinum coin. These coins are often presented in an ornate box, chest, basket, or pouch, adding to the ceremonial aspect.
In the past, French Catholic weddings, especially in rural areas, included the blessing of thirteen coins, a tradition that gradually faded after the First World War. The Catholic Rite of Marriage in Scotland and Ireland also offers the option of including this custom, where the groom traditionally gives coins to the bride.
The exchange of coins during Catholic weddings is a symbolic act that reinforces the couple's commitment to sharing their lives and resources as they embark on their married journey together.
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Frequently asked questions
The outward sign in the Sacrament of Matrimony is the mutual consent of the persons, expressed by words or signs in accordance with the laws of the Church. The whole essence of the marriage contract consists in the surrender by the persons of their bodies to each other and in declaring by word or sign that they make this surrender and take each other for husband and wife now and for life.
Some symbols of the sacrament of marriage include two clasped hands, two doves, a heart, a three-ply rope, a single wedding ring, two interlocking wedding rings, and water jars.
The wedding rings symbolise unity, completeness, and eternal love for one another. They are an outward symbol of an internal bond.
The chief ends of the Sacrament of Matrimony are: 1. To enable the husband and wife to aid each other in securing the salvation of their souls; 2. To propagate or keep up the existence of the human race by bringing children into the world to serve God; 3. To prevent sins against the holy virtue of purity by faithfully obeying the laws of the marriage state.
Catholics should be married before the altar in the Church. They should be married in the morning, and with a Nuptial Mass if possible.
