PREPARING FOR THE SACRAMENT OF MATRIMONY

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If you are planning to marry in the Catholic Church, it is important to contact your parish priest or deacon at least six months before the proposed date of your marriage. This will allow time to arrange formal documentation and obtain any necessary permission to marry.

N.B. If you plan to marry abroad, there are several necessary steps and documentation to arrange in order to have a Catholic ceremony abroad. Ideally, you should allow at least nine months to plan a Catholic ceremony to ensure you have enough time to arrange all your religious documentation – and additional civil paperwork if you’re planning to be legally married during the ceremony.                                 

Because Christian marriage is a sacrament, the Catholic Church wants couples to be well-prepared. Every engaged couple must participate in a Marriage Preparation Course before celebrating the Sacrament of Matrimony. The Diocese of Motherwell parishes and the Diocesan Family Life Ministry offer Marriage Preparation Courses to help couples develop a better understanding of the sacrament; to evaluate and deepen their readiness to live married life and to gain insights into themselves as individuals and as a couple.

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WHY DOES THE CHURCH REQUIRE ENGAGED COUPLES TO PARTICIPATE IN A MARRIAGE PREPARATION COURSE?

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The important thing for engaged couples to keep in mind is the well-known adage, "Your wedding lasts a day, but your marriage lasts a lifetime." This is why the Church encourages couples to invest time and energy into the all-important work of preparing for their married life together.  The Marriage Preparation Course is designed to help you to learn and to grow, both individually and as a couple. The Course also offers you as a couple the opportunity to develop a better understanding of Marriage as a Sacrament. Opportunities for such learning and growth are created through the talks given by the presenting speakers.

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TOPICS INCLUDE:

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• Building your marriage on firm foundations

• Family of Origin, Values and Attachment,

• ‘Theology of the Body’ - God’s vision of Marriage and Family Life,

• The 5 Love Languages/ Communication, how to keep love alive in your marriage

• Fertility Awareness

• Sacred Scripture – understanding and choosing readings from Holy Scripture for the celebration of your Marriage

• The Church’s teaching on Marriage, its sacramental nature, the Marriage Ceremony and the solemn vows you will be making before God.

Don’t be apprehensive if one of you is not a Catholic. The aim of the course is to inform and help you to be a supportive and loving husband and wife, with God’s grace.

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IS THERE A FEE?                                                                                                                      

There is a fee of £50 per couple to help towards materials and other expenses. The Marriage Preparation Courses is not run for profit. The presenters give their time generously. Compared to other wedding costs; it is a small price to pay. 

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REGISTRATION IS ESSENTIAL                                                                                                              

As soon as you have met with your Parish Priest, you are required to complete a Registration Form for the Marriage Preparation Course you want to attend. Early Registration is essential to ensure a place on a particular Marriage Preparation Course as places fill up very quickly.                                                                                                                                                           

On return of your Registration Form, you will receive a letter confirming your place on the course date you have chosen. To receive your "Certificate " from the Diocese, you must attend both PART 1 and PART 2 of the Marriage Preparation Course.

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WHAT TO EXPECT?

 

Expect to have a better time than you think you will! For more information please email: familylife@rcdom.org.uk