Celebrating the Covenant of Love Matrimony Celebrating the Covenant of Love

Matrimony Sacrament of Service (of communion) The couple is consecrated to a special role of service in the Body of Christ

Covenant Matrimony is a sacred bond, or covenant, between a man and a woman grounded in loving fidelity. Celebrates the ideas of: mutual self-giving, covenantal faithfulness, the becoming of one’s real self and creativity.

Mutual Self-Giving “God is love and those who abide in love abide in God, and God abides in them.” 1 John 4:16 The gift of self-Christ freely gave himself to us. In marriage the couple must do the same in order for it to be true and selfless love.

Covenantal Faithfulness Like in the Bible, a covenant is a solemn promise between two parties. Faithfulness to this covenant of marriage is…permanence (never ending), constancy (through ups and downs), loving confrontation (acknowledge problems) and lived values (actively living out values and priorities).

Becoming One’s Real Self Over a lifetime people become someone they never would have become if it were not for their marriage. God has given them each other as the means to their own salvation.

Creativity The couple’s love is meant to lead to something wonderful beyond itself. Creating a community of love. Families are the most common example.

3 Possible Rites Celebrating Matrimony during Mass Celebrating Matrimony outside of Mass Celebrating Matrimony between a Catholic and an unbaptized person

Common to the 3 Rites Liturgy of the Word The consent-the vows The blessing and exchange of rings The nuptial blessing The final blessing

Annulment Cases in which a marriage blessed by the Church was never actually a valid sacrament. Possible reasons: both partners had not entered the marriage willingly, had been dishonest about their intent, or had been unable to make a permanent commitment. After thorough investigation a local church may determine the marriage never existed sacramentally.