What is a Ritual?• Rituals are a feature of almost all human

societies, in the past and in the present. • A ritual is a set of actions, with a symbolic and

meaningful value. It is usually arranged by a religion or by the traditions of a community.

• A ritual may be performed on specific occasions, in public or in private.

• The purposes of rituals are varied: religious, social, moral, spiritual, demonstration of respect or submission, and sometimes, just for the pleasure of the ritual itself.

• Even many daily activities are considered a kind of ritual in some way; common actions like hand-shaking and saying hello may be termed rituals.

RITUAL OF MARRIAGERITUAL OF MARRIAGE

MARRIAGE- STEPS -

• Engagement • Wedding planning• Save the date (Church)• Bridal Registry (Court of Justice)• Marriage license• Wedding invitations • Bachelor and Bachelorette Party• Wedding Ceremony• Party

Rituals of Marriage vary according to religions and the

traditions they follow. However the basis of the relationship

that results out of Marriage is the same everywhere: raising a family and dedication towards

the spouse. Marriage or wedding is a very unique

occasion which reflects the beginning of a new relationship, a family and a new life shared

with one another.

Do you love me

honey?You’re

the love of

my life!

Marriage, also called Matrimony, is a “covenant by which a man and a woman establish between themselves a partnership for the whole life and which is ordered by its nature to the good of

the spouses and the procreation and education of children”

Conditions for a Sacramental Marriage

• Within the Catholic Church, marriage is considered a Sacrament.

• Both the man and the woman have to be baptised

• They also have to approve the marriage by themselves.

• Acceptance of the conditions that the church describes in her code of canon law.

• The Church provides classes several months before marriage to help the participants inform about their consent.

• Agreement of a lifelong union.

IMPEDIMENTSA Catholic marriage cannot be formed if one or more of the

following impediments occur:

• Antecedent and perpetual Impotence.• Consanguinity to the fourth collateral line (1st cousin),

including legal adoption.• Affinity (relationship by marriage, e.g. a brother-in-law). • Prior bond.• Holy Orders.• Perpetual vows of chastity in a religious institute. • Disparity of Cult (one party not being baptised). • Crime (one party previously conspiring to marry while still being married alleging the condition of death of the spouse).• Non-age (at least 16 for males, 14 for females). • Abduction (a practice in which a man abducts the woman he wishes to marry).

VALIDITY• A validly-contracted marriage is accompanied by divine

ratification, creating an eternal union until the couple consummate. After that the marriage is completely unbreakable.

• Consent must be a free act of will, free of coercion or severe

external error. If freedom is lacking, the consent is invalid.

• An unconsummated marriage can be dissolved by the Pope.• Once the marriage is consummated, only a separation is

possible; the marriage bond cannot be dissolved.• The term "divorce" has no meaning in the context of Catholic marriage.• A marriage which did not follow the required criteria is invalid, and the participants are considered not to be actually married. • Children born from a "putative" marriage are legitimate.• Consequently, the declaration that a marriage is null does

not make the children of that marriage illegitimate.

DECLARATION OF NULLITY• An Annulment or Null is a declaration that the

marriage was invalid at the time the vows were exchanged.

• For example, a marriage would be invalid if one of the parties, at the time of marriage, did not intend to honour the vow of fidelity.

• If the spouse did intend to be faithful at the time of the marriage but later

committed adultery adultery this does not invalidate t the marriage.

• Annulment and Divorce are not t h the same: an Annulment is a f I n finding that sacramental marriage n never existed, while a Divorce is a d dissolution of marriage.

COMMONCOMMON TRADITIONS TRADITIONS

IN THE IN THE RITUAL OF MARRIAGERITUAL OF MARRIAGE

(in our culture)(in our culture)

The wedding is a wonderful and touching event.Brides and Grooms want the ceremony to be personalized and unique to them.The Sacrament usually takes place in a Church, Chapel or sometimes in a special place chosen by the couple.

A ceremony consists of:

• three biblical readings at least• the exchange of vows • the exchange of rings • the Prayer of the Faithful• the nuptial blessing• prayers • appropriate music or songs

Special attire – THE BRIDE Formal dress

(usually white, cream or ivory)

Veil Bouquet of flowers Heirloom

(something old, something new, something borrowed, or something blue)

THE GROOMTHE GROOM Formal suitFormal suit Neckwear: Neckwear: a tie;a tie;

a a bowtie;bowtie;

a a cravatcravat

The throwing of rice

Symbol of

Prosperity, Good luck and Fertility for the

new bridal

After the Ceremony . . . THE VALS

And … THE PARTY!

mmm…THE WEDDING CAKE

THROWING THE BOUQUET

( symbol of future marriage for the single ladies )

Bellisa Chinazzo4th – LanguageTeacher: Silvia

Borba2011