The Sacrament of MatrimonyThe Sacrament of Matrimony

Chapter 9Chapter 9

HELPING EACH OTHER GROW IN LOVE

HELPING EACH OTHER GROW IN LOVE

Marriage established by God for two reasons:1. The good of the husband and wife

To help each other understand and experience true love; draws each other closer to God

2. The procreation and education of children

The effects of the Sacrament are directed towards the spouse and any children as well.

Marriage established by God for two reasons:1. The good of the husband and wife

To help each other understand and experience true love; draws each other closer to God

2. The procreation and education of children

The effects of the Sacrament are directed towards the spouse and any children as well.

An Intimate CommunionAn Intimate CommunionMan and woman were created to be one

Original Sin separates the two sexesThe Sacrament confers the grace necessary to

overcome the division and become one as God intended

Love each other physically and emotionally but also in ChristRecognize that God is present in their love for their

spouse and children; It’s God’s love acting through them for others

Act as a sign of God’s faithful loveDaily fidelity through highest and lowest moments

Man and woman were created to be oneOriginal Sin separates the two sexesThe Sacrament confers the grace necessary to

overcome the division and become one as God intended

Love each other physically and emotionally but also in ChristRecognize that God is present in their love for their

spouse and children; It’s God’s love acting through them for others

Act as a sign of God’s faithful loveDaily fidelity through highest and lowest moments

An Intimate CommunionAn Intimate Communion “How can I ever express the happiness of a marriage joined by the

Church, strengthened by an offering, sealed by a blessing, announced by angels, and ratified by the Father?… How wonderful the bond between two believers, now one in hope, one in desire, one in discipline, one in the same service! They are both children of one Father and servants of the same Master, undivided in spirit and flesh, truly two in one flesh. Where the flesh is one, one also is the spirit.”CCC 1642

Christ’s love for the Church is better understood through marriage commitmentThrough Matrimony we receive a foretaste of the joy

that will result of our final and complete union with our Lord

“How can I ever express the happiness of a marriage joined by the Church, strengthened by an offering, sealed by a blessing, announced by angels, and ratified by the Father?… How wonderful the bond between two believers, now one in hope, one in desire, one in discipline, one in the same service! They are both children of one Father and servants of the same Master, undivided in spirit and flesh, truly two in one flesh. Where the flesh is one, one also is the spirit.”CCC 1642

Christ’s love for the Church is better understood through marriage commitmentThrough Matrimony we receive a foretaste of the joy

that will result of our final and complete union with our Lord

UNDERSTANDING THE SACRAMENT OF MATRIMONY

UNDERSTANDING THE SACRAMENT OF MATRIMONY

Man longs to be unitedIt is part of our human nature; we have

been detachedWoman is man’s helper and vice versa

We grow close to each other and attach ourselves to one another; united

Through this mutual relationship we both grow to understand the great love and passion Christ has for his Church

Through the Church we are prepared to receive the true unity that we have been longing for

Man longs to be unitedIt is part of our human nature; we have

been detachedWoman is man’s helper and vice versa

We grow close to each other and attach ourselves to one another; united

Through this mutual relationship we both grow to understand the great love and passion Christ has for his Church

Through the Church we are prepared to receive the true unity that we have been longing for

Marriage in the New CovenantMarriage in the New CovenantChrist restored the dignity of marriage, raised it

to a sacramental level (divorce, polygamy, adultery)Made it indissoluble“What God has joined together, no human must

separate.” (Mt 19:6)Due to the spiritual reality to which it points

EFFICACIOUS; What is the reality? To open our eyes, an opportunity to sacrifice ourselves like Christ, make ourselves like him

The Bride and Groom are the ministersConfer a grace to each other that is not only for their

good but also for the good of the ChurchDeclaration of nullity

The marriage was never valid (One of the ministers not fully willing to enter into commitment)

Christ restored the dignity of marriage, raised it to a sacramental level (divorce, polygamy, adultery)Made it indissoluble“What God has joined together, no human must

separate.” (Mt 19:6)Due to the spiritual reality to which it points

EFFICACIOUS; What is the reality? To open our eyes, an opportunity to sacrifice ourselves like Christ, make ourselves like him

The Bride and Groom are the ministersConfer a grace to each other that is not only for their

good but also for the good of the ChurchDeclaration of nullity

The marriage was never valid (One of the ministers not fully willing to enter into commitment)

The Sacrament of Marriage Today

The Sacrament of Marriage Today

Only a sacrament if between two baptized ChristiansPriest or deacon must be present as well as two

witnesses

Vatican II on MatrimonyChristian marriage is to help both spouses grow in

spiritual perfectionA healthy family life promotes the well-being of both

human and Christian societyRevised the Rite of Marriage to emphasize the

spouses’ duties to one another

Only a sacrament if between two baptized ChristiansPriest or deacon must be present as well as two

witnesses

Vatican II on MatrimonyChristian marriage is to help both spouses grow in

spiritual perfectionA healthy family life promotes the well-being of both

human and Christian societyRevised the Rite of Marriage to emphasize the

spouses’ duties to one another

CELEBRATING THE SACRAMENT OF MATRIMONY

CELEBRATING THE SACRAMENT OF MATRIMONY

Three rites in Rite of Marriage; wo are a sacramentRite for Celebrating Marriage During MassRite for Celebrating Marriage Outside MassRite for Celebrating Marriage Between a Catholic and

an Unbaptized Person

Church often requires engaged couples to enter marriage prep programsDiscuss finances, in-laws, number of children and

their education, how to handle disagreements, sexuality, etc.

Three rites in Rite of Marriage; wo are a sacramentRite for Celebrating Marriage During MassRite for Celebrating Marriage Outside MassRite for Celebrating Marriage Between a Catholic and

an Unbaptized Person

Church often requires engaged couples to enter marriage prep programsDiscuss finances, in-laws, number of children and

their education, how to handle disagreements, sexuality, etc.

Free Consent and Exchange of VowsFree Consent and Exchange of Vows

Consent must be freely givenEssential for validityMust have sincere desire to be faithful to spouseMust be open to new life, especially children

Presence of priest and witnesses expresses that marriage is a reality in the Church with certain rights and responsibilities

The priest questions both bride and groom separately on their freedom of choiceThen asks them to exchange their marriage

consent (vows)Establishes a permanent covenant in love

Consent must be freely givenEssential for validityMust have sincere desire to be faithful to spouseMust be open to new life, especially children

Presence of priest and witnesses expresses that marriage is a reality in the Church with certain rights and responsibilities

The priest questions both bride and groom separately on their freedom of choiceThen asks them to exchange their marriage

consent (vows)Establishes a permanent covenant in love

Blessing and Exchange of RingsBlessing and Exchange of Rings

Rings do not have a beginning or an end

Symbolizes:The eternal love God has

for humansThe eternal commitment

of Christ to the ChurchThe promise by the bride

and groom to be faithful to one another until death

Rings do not have a beginning or an end

Symbolizes:The eternal love God has

for humansThe eternal commitment

of Christ to the ChurchThe promise by the bride

and groom to be faithful to one another until death

Nuptial BlessingNuptial Blessing

After the “Our Father…”

Priest raises hands and blesses the couple with the love of God and his graces throughout their days as of married lifeSimilar to laying on of handsSymbolizes the transmission of God’s grace

Priest acts in person of Christ; We know God through Christ

After the “Our Father…”

Priest raises hands and blesses the couple with the love of God and his graces throughout their days as of married lifeSimilar to laying on of handsSymbolizes the transmission of God’s grace

Priest acts in person of Christ; We know God through Christ

Holy CommunionHoly Communion

Bride and groom celebrate the sacrament of Penance in order to be properly disposed to receive the EucharistNot part of the wedding ceremony

Strengthens and nourishes their married life

Receive a blessing at the end of MassEssentially, that after many years of marriage

they may enter the Kingdom of God

Bride and groom celebrate the sacrament of Penance in order to be properly disposed to receive the EucharistNot part of the wedding ceremony

Strengthens and nourishes their married life

Receive a blessing at the end of MassEssentially, that after many years of marriage

they may enter the Kingdom of God

THE GRACES OF THE SACRAMENT OF MATRIMIONY

THE GRACES OF THE SACRAMENT OF MATRIMIONY

The commitment of marriage forms a covenant between husband and wifeCovenant is a personal contractLasts forever; doesn’t end when ceremony

endsGraces continue throughout their lives

The graces of marriage not only cultivate communion within the family but also with Christ, the Church, and society

The commitment of marriage forms a covenant between husband and wifeCovenant is a personal contractLasts forever; doesn’t end when ceremony

endsGraces continue throughout their lives

The graces of marriage not only cultivate communion within the family but also with Christ, the Church, and society

Communion Between SpousesCommunion Between SpousesMarriage “helps to overcome self-absorption,

egoism, pursuit of one’s own pleasure, and to open one-self to the other, to mutual aid and to self-giving” (CCC, 1609)

Unconditional love no matter whatOld age or health conditionLove whether you feel like it or not

True communion is fruitfulMake sacrifices for the better of the otherMatrimony at the service of communion

SexualityFidelity - an attribute of God; both become more like

God and grow in holinessRespect and honor each other

Marriage “helps to overcome self-absorption, egoism, pursuit of one’s own pleasure, and to open one-self to the other, to mutual aid and to self-giving” (CCC, 1609)

Unconditional love no matter whatOld age or health conditionLove whether you feel like it or not

True communion is fruitfulMake sacrifices for the better of the otherMatrimony at the service of communion

SexualityFidelity - an attribute of God; both become more like

God and grow in holinessRespect and honor each other

Communion in ChristCommunion in Christ

Helps husbands and wives enter into the Paschal Mystery of ChristMarriage becomes a way of discipleship;

dying to sin and rising in holiness

“Christ abides with them in order that by their mutual self-giving spouses will love each other with enduring fidelity, as he loved the church and delivered himself for it”

Helps husbands and wives enter into the Paschal Mystery of ChristMarriage becomes a way of discipleship;

dying to sin and rising in holiness

“Christ abides with them in order that by their mutual self-giving spouses will love each other with enduring fidelity, as he loved the church and delivered himself for it”

GOD

The closer we are to God the closer we are to our spouse, children, and neighbors

Family CommunionFamily CommunionThe graces of marriage allow family members

to be Christ for one anotherSt. Mary and St. Joseph said yes to raising Jesus so

do we in marriage affirm Christ to the world today by raising children and helping them grow in the image of Christ

Domestic churchThe place where Christians receive their first impression of

the faith

Foster one another’s self-esteem, worth and lovability so that children may do the same when they spread out in the community

The graces of marriage allow family members to be Christ for one anotherSt. Mary and St. Joseph said yes to raising Jesus so

do we in marriage affirm Christ to the world today by raising children and helping them grow in the image of Christ

Domestic churchThe place where Christians receive their first impression of

the faith

Foster one another’s self-esteem, worth and lovability so that children may do the same when they spread out in the community

Communion with the ChurchCommunion with the Church

How Christian families join the Church in her mission:

1. Promote faith as well as evangelization at home and with others- Parents set a good example

- Regularly attend Mass, receive the sacraments, practice faith with reverence

2. Help serve the needs of the parish- Serve during after Mass- Help with Church missions- Assist with Catholic education classes

How Christian families join the Church in her mission:

1. Promote faith as well as evangelization at home and with others- Parents set a good example

- Regularly attend Mass, receive the sacraments, practice faith with reverence

2. Help serve the needs of the parish- Serve during after Mass- Help with Church missions- Assist with Catholic education classes

Communion with SocietyCommunion with Society Sacrament of Matrimony calls spouses and their children

to help build a world of justice, peace, and love in all places - workplace, athletics, leisure time, politics, etc.

1. Parents socialize their children- where they first learn communication and social skills- Become aware of the rights and needs of others and their responsibility

to contribute to common good

2. Families participate in politics- as candidates, voters, and lobbyists- Create and/or represent a voice that stands for the values of the Church

and her mission

3. Families work to promote justice and peace- serve the poor, needy and, defenseless; uphold their human dignity- Families teach children that all humans are created in God’s image

Sacrament of Matrimony calls spouses and their children to help build a world of justice, peace, and love in all places - workplace, athletics, leisure time, politics, etc.

1. Parents socialize their children- where they first learn communication and social skills- Become aware of the rights and needs of others and their responsibility

to contribute to common good

2. Families participate in politics- as candidates, voters, and lobbyists- Create and/or represent a voice that stands for the values of the Church

and her mission

3. Families work to promote justice and peace- serve the poor, needy and, defenseless; uphold their human dignity- Families teach children that all humans are created in God’s image

CHRISTIAN MARRIAGE: A SIGN OF GOD’S ETERNAL COVENANT WITH HUMANITY

CHRISTIAN MARRIAGE: A SIGN OF GOD’S ETERNAL COVENANT WITH HUMANITY

Matrimony recalls God’s covenant with humanityThe Israelites turned away from God time

and time again/We continually turn to sinHowever, God remained steadfast to his promise

and honored the covenant they establishedHis love was/is indissoluble; cannot be broken

Married couples are called to love each other in the same capacity

Matrimony recalls God’s covenant with humanityThe Israelites turned away from God time

and time again/We continually turn to sinHowever, God remained steadfast to his promise

and honored the covenant they establishedHis love was/is indissoluble; cannot be broken

Married couples are called to love each other in the same capacity

Openness to New LifeOpenness to New Life“Fruitful love”

For Matrimony to be valid, both spouses must be open to childrenThey are called to be partners with God in

creating new lifeChurch teaches against the evils of:

Abortion, contraception, and sterilizationProhibits a total giving of self to other spouse.

Interfering with God’s plan and having attitude that you know best. Saying to spouse, “I like you but not enough to have kids with you.”

Natural Family Planning; responsible methodNot all married couples are blessed with children

Still called to a life that is fruitful Creates the occasion to serve those in need

“Fruitful love”For Matrimony to be valid, both spouses

must be open to childrenThey are called to be partners with God in

creating new lifeChurch teaches against the evils of:

Abortion, contraception, and sterilizationProhibits a total giving of self to other spouse.

Interfering with God’s plan and having attitude that you know best. Saying to spouse, “I like you but not enough to have kids with you.”

Natural Family Planning; responsible methodNot all married couples are blessed with children

Still called to a life that is fruitful Creates the occasion to serve those in need

The Unity of MarriageThe Unity of Marriage “In marriage the physical intimacy of spouses

becomes a sign and pledge of spiritual communion” (CCC, 2360) Man and woman’s love becomes incarnate through

conjugal sex just like God’s love became incarnate through Christ

Two purposes of sex in marriage1. Unitive

- Fosters intimacy - Provides emotional security; feeling of acceptance (why

shouldn’t engage in premarital sex, you are giving another person a false sense of security in yourself; goes for both sexes)

- Reduces stress and anxiety between the couple Procreative

“In marriage the physical intimacy of spouses becomes a sign and pledge of spiritual communion” (CCC, 2360) Man and woman’s love becomes incarnate through

conjugal sex just like God’s love became incarnate through Christ

Two purposes of sex in marriage1. Unitive

- Fosters intimacy - Provides emotional security; feeling of acceptance (why

shouldn’t engage in premarital sex, you are giving another person a false sense of security in yourself; goes for both sexes)

- Reduces stress and anxiety between the couple Procreative

Sex is SacramentalSex is SacramentalThe act of sex is the sign that initially seals

Matrimony but it also continually renews itJust like the Eucharist, the graces are continual and

nourish the relationshipMan and woman are both body and soul and are

therefore sacramentalThey effect a spiritual reality

The union of their bodies through sexual intercourse is also a union of their souls

As an incarnate spirit, that is a soul which expresses itself in a body and a body informed by an immortal spirit, man is called to love in his unified totality. Love includes the human body, and the body is made a sharer in spiritual love.” – John Paul II FAMILIARIS CONSORTIO

The act of sex is the sign that initially seals Matrimony but it also continually renews itJust like the Eucharist, the graces are continual and

nourish the relationshipMan and woman are both body and soul and are

therefore sacramentalThey effect a spiritual reality

The union of their bodies through sexual intercourse is also a union of their souls

As an incarnate spirit, that is a soul which expresses itself in a body and a body informed by an immortal spirit, man is called to love in his unified totality. Love includes the human body, and the body is made a sharer in spiritual love.” – John Paul II FAMILIARIS CONSORTIO

Sex is SacramentalSex is SacramentalChildren are not only an incarnation of a

soul but also of their parents loveGod uses material, the sexual union of male

and female to create new human lifeJust as God’s Words became Flesh and

dwelt among us (Incarnation)So too, does the man and woman’s word

(consent/will) become flesh (sexual intercourse; the expression of their will) and dwell among us (children)Sex is sacred because God uses it to foster unity

between a man and a woman but also to create new beings in His image

Children are not only an incarnation of a soul but also of their parents loveGod uses material, the sexual union of male

and female to create new human lifeJust as God’s Words became Flesh and

dwelt among us (Incarnation)So too, does the man and woman’s word

(consent/will) become flesh (sexual intercourse; the expression of their will) and dwell among us (children)Sex is sacred because God uses it to foster unity

between a man and a woman but also to create new beings in His image

Sex is SacramentalSex is SacramentalSo… if conjugal sex is sacred, what is

pre-marital sex?SACRILEGE - the desecration of something

holy“It (sexual expression) is realized in a truly human

way only if it is an integral part of the love by which a man and a woman commit themselves totally to one another until death. The total physical self-giving would be a lie if it were not the sign and fruit of a total personal self-giving…” - John Paul II FAMILIARIS CONSORTIO

So… if conjugal sex is sacred, what is pre-marital sex?SACRILEGE - the desecration of something

holy“It (sexual expression) is realized in a truly human

way only if it is an integral part of the love by which a man and a woman commit themselves totally to one another until death. The total physical self-giving would be a lie if it were not the sign and fruit of a total personal self-giving…” - John Paul II FAMILIARIS CONSORTIO

Sex is SacramentalSex is SacramentalWhy is premarital sex a lie?

Because if done outside of marriage…you are saying something serious and profound with your body that you have not said with your will, therefore you are lying with your body!

Honesty with deepest part of our person = Happiness

Dishonesty with the deepest part of our person = Hurt

As Christ said at the Last Supper and with His life on the cross, “This is my body, given up for you,” so men and woman say the same in the sacrament of marriage!

We have the responsibility to act as ministers in the Sacrament of Marriage, offering ourselves in service to our spouse and leading them towards God and away from sin

as Christians we fail if we lie and also do a grave disservice to the other person by leading them astray from God; We are irresponsible with the gift that God has entrusted us with

Why is premarital sex a lie?Because if done outside of marriage…you are saying something

serious and profound with your body that you have not said with your will, therefore you are lying with your body!

Honesty with deepest part of our person = Happiness

Dishonesty with the deepest part of our person = Hurt

As Christ said at the Last Supper and with His life on the cross, “This is my body, given up for you,” so men and woman say the same in the sacrament of marriage!

We have the responsibility to act as ministers in the Sacrament of Marriage, offering ourselves in service to our spouse and leading them towards God and away from sin

as Christians we fail if we lie and also do a grave disservice to the other person by leading them astray from God; We are irresponsible with the gift that God has entrusted us with

Sex is SacramentalSex is SacramentalReceiving the Eucharist is the consummation of our

covenant with Christ and God.

Sexual union is the husband’s and wife’s consummation of their marriage covenant with each other.

According to Augustine

“He came to the marriage bed of the cross, and there, in mounting it, he consummated his marriage. And where he perceived the sighs of the creature, he lovingly gave himself up in place of his bride, and he joined himself to the woman forever.”By giving himself up he created the Church

By giving ourselves up we contribute to the Church

Receiving the Eucharist is the consummation of our covenant with Christ and God.

Sexual union is the husband’s and wife’s consummation of their marriage covenant with each other.

According to Augustine

“He came to the marriage bed of the cross, and there, in mounting it, he consummated his marriage. And where he perceived the sighs of the creature, he lovingly gave himself up in place of his bride, and he joined himself to the woman forever.”By giving himself up he created the Church

By giving ourselves up we contribute to the Church