1. Marriage—traditional vs. sacramental

2. JOURNAL QUESTION:
Describe a couple who you think is living out a good and holy marriage. What do they do to make it work? How do you know they have a good marriage? OR…
What would a good and holy marriage look like in your opinion? Include as many details as possible.

3. CUSTOMS & THEIR HERITAGE
The Father of the Bride “giving away” the bride
Origin: The father actually owned his daughter in Greco-Roman times and literally was giving her away.
The Bride wearing a white garment
Origin: This symbolized that the daughter was pure and a “good gift.”

4. The groom “waiting” for the bride to process to him
Origin: The bride would process up to the groom’s house for him to take her over the threshold.
The bride wearing a veil
Origin: In early times, marriages were arranged and most grooms didn’t find out their brides until the ceremony itself.

5. BRIEF HISTORY OF MARRIAGE:
Since the time of Christ, marriages were seen as a civil ceremony
During the Early Middle Ages (7th-11th centuries) the Church enforced marriage rites & laws
By the 12th century, weddings took place in churches
Only by the 13th century it was considered a sacrament

6. SYMBOLIC ACTIONS OF MATRIMONY
Within the Sacrament of Matrimony, there are TWO primary symbolic actions:
Exchanging of the Vows (“the Consent”)
The Nuptial Blessing
There is ONE major symbol in the Sacrament:
RINGS
In the Sacrament of Marriage, the husband and wife are the ministers, not the priest
The priest or deacon is a “witness” to the sacrament taking place

7. 3 WAYS TO DO IT… Weddings are necessarily communal events
You NEED at least 2 witnesses present
There are 3 Rites of the Sacrament:
Matrimony during Mass
Matrimony outside of Mass
Matrimony b/w a Catholic and unbaptized person

8. COMMON ELEMENTS OF ALL 3:
Liturgy of the Word
The Consent (Vows)
Blessing & Exchange of Rings
Nuptial Blessing
Final Blessing