MARRIAGE AS A SACRAMENT

MARRIAGE AS A SIGN AND SYMBOL

THE COUPLES MUTUAL GIFT AND ACCEPTANCE OF EACH OTHER IS THE SIGN ELEMENT OF THE SACRAMENT OF MATRIMONY

MARRIAGE AS THE SAVING PRESENCE OF CHRIST

CHRISTIANS ENTERING INTO A RELATIONSHIP WOULD NOT BE POSSIBLE WITHOUT CHRIST

MARRIAGE AS A SAVING GRACE

THE COUPLES REFLECT THE FATIHFULNESS OF GOD TO HIS COVENANT AND CHRIST TO HIS CHURCH

MARRIAGE AS A CELEBRATION

THE WEDDING CEREMONY

THE CHURCH PROVIDES THE BASIC RITUAL

SACRAMENTAL MARRIAGE AS A LITURGICAL ACT

IT MUST BE CELEBRATED IN THE PUBLIC LITURGY OF THE CHURCH

THE PUBLIC CHARACTER OF THE CONSENT HELPS THE FAITHFUL TO REMAIN FAITHFUL

THE CELEBRATION OF MARRIAGE TAKES PLACE DURING THE MASS

THIS IS TO EMPHASIZE THE CONNECTION OF THE SACRAMENTS WITH THE PASCHAL MYSTERY OF CHRIST