Marriage

Sacrament of Marriage

Marriage is one of the seven holy Sacraments of the Catholic Church. It is not simply a personal celebration of the bride and groom; rather, it is a holy ritual celebrated before God which unites a man and woman in an eternal bond.

In order to be married at Emmanuel, the following guidelines must be met:
1. Either the bride or groom must have been a registered member of the Parish for at least six months.
2. The couple must go through marriage preparation classes including one class on Natural Family Planning. Marriage preparation normally takes six months to complete.
3. Couples must be living apart. If couples are currently living together, they must promptly cease doing so.
4. The marriage ceremony must take place in a reverent manner. Members of the wedding parties are expected to adhere to certain standards of behavior. All should be dressed in a way which shows respect to the Lord and His Church.