Preparing to Celebrate the Sacrament of Marriage

Preparing to Celebrate theSacrament of Marriage

“The matrimonial covenant, by which a man and a woman establish between themselves a partnership of their whole of life, and which of its own very nature is ordered to the well-being of the spouses and to the procreation and upbringing of children, has, between the baptized, been raised by Christ the Lord to the dignity of a sacrament.” (Canon 1055)

“Pastors of souls are obliged to ensure that their own Church community provides for Christ’s faithful the assistance by which the married state is preserved in its

Christian character and develops in perfection.

This assistance is to be given principally:

1) By preaching, by catechetical instruction adapted to children, young people and adults, indeed by the use of the means of social communications, so that Christ’s faithful are instructed in the meaning of Christian marriage and in the role of Christian spouses and parents;

2) By personal preparation for entering marriage so that the spouses are disposed to the holiness and obligations of their new state;

3) By the fruitful celebration of the marriage liturgy, so that it clearly emerges that the spouses manifest, and participate in, the mystery of the unity and fruitful love between Christ and the Church;

4) By the help given to those who have entered marriage, so that by faithfully observing and protecting their conjugal covenant, they may day by day achieve a holier and fuller family life.”

(Canon 1063)

Step 1: Contact your parish and meet with your Priest

After you become engaged, and before you set a wedding date, you should contact your parish to set up a meeting. During this initial meeting, your pastor will determine if you and your fiancé(e) are free to marry. He will also provide you with the information you need to complete Steps 2-6 of the marriage preparation process. Setting a schedule to complete the individual components during or shortly after this meeting is strongly advised.

Step 2: Fully Engaged

After meeting with your pastor, you will be assisted by a married couple from the parish who will journey with you throughout your preparation for marriage. You will complete a premarital inventory, comprised of a series of questions designed to assess each of your habits, expectations, and values. It will provide you with a personalized profile of your relationship’s strengths and weaknesses. This inventory is an important starting point for couple discussion and to identify any areas that may need attention.

Step 3: Participate in a marriage preparation course

The Archdiocese of Miami offers a variety of programs, in English and Spanish, to prepare you for the Sacrament of Marriage. To register to participate in these courses, visit online www.miamiarch.org/familylife

Step 4: Receive Instruction in Natural Family Planning

To ensure you have the tools to plan your family effectively and in accord with God’s plan for marriage, you will have the opportunity to learn about Natural Family Planning (NFP). The Archdiocese has instructors available in a variety of NFP methods. For information on the NFP methods and contact information, visit online www.miamiarch.org/familylife

Step 5: Receive Sacrament of Reconciliation

The Church invites all Catholics to prepare spiritually prior to their marriage by celebrating the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

Step 6: Final Meeting with your Pastor

Four to six weeks before the wedding, you should meet with the priest that will be celebrating your wedding.

The Archdiocese of Miami, vigilant about the seriousness of entering into a lifelong union, has structured a six step process of preparation that leads to marriage.

As a parish, Our Lady of Lourdes takes its responsibilities in the preparation and celebration of the Sacrament of Matrimony very seriously. The parish family is here to

help you prepare for marriage in accord with the process outlined by the Archdiocese of Miami. This booklet has been prepared for the specific purpose of facilitating the process

for you, our registered parishioner. We rejoice that you have chosen your parish church for your wedding.

Arranging a Wedding at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church

When one of our parishioners is ready to begin the process to prepare for marriage, it is necessary to let the pastor know. At that time, the receptionist will assist the couple in fi lling out the Request

for Marriage form. Once completed, said form will be given to the pastor, who will contact the couple for an initial meeting.

Note: We will be happy to assist those who are not parishioners of Our Lady of Lourdes parish, and who desire to receive the Sacrament of Marriage, to contact their proper pastor so that they may begin the preparation process in their home parish.

In order to enable the couple to carry out the proper preparation, we require a period of ten to twelve months, consisting of:

Active participation at Our Lady of Lourdes:

1. Registered parishioner of Our Lady of Lourdes

2. Regular attendance at Sunday Mass

3. Complete your Parish Pledge Card:

3a. Regular use of Faith Direct or parishioner off ertory envelopes for contributions to the parish

4. Other aspects of parish participation:

4a. Weekly Holy Hour with the Blessed Sacrament

4b. Consecration to Jesus through Mary

4c. Participation in a group or ministry of the parish

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hen one of our parishioners is ready to begin the process to prepare for marriage, it is necessary to let the pastor know. At that time, the receptionist will assist the couple in fi lling out the Request

for Marriage form. Once completed, said form will be given to the pastor, who

We will be happy to assist those who are not parishioners of Our Lady of Lourdes parish, and who desire to receive the Sacrament of Marriage, to contact their proper pastor so that they may begin the preparation process in their home parish.

In order to enable the couple to carry out the proper preparation, we require a period of ten to twelve months, consisting of:

Active participation at Our Lady of Lourdes:

Required documentation:

1. Baptismal Certifi cate: Both parties need to submit a recent updated copy of their Baptismal Certifi cate. Recent means within the last six months. The Baptismal Certifi cate is obtained from the parish where the Baptism was celebrated. All that is necessary is to call or write a letter to the pastor of the church stating as follows:

2. Couple & Witness Forms: The Church requires each party to the marriage to fi ll out a form known as the “A Form,” in the

presence of the priest indicating that each one is free to marry. Two witnesses for each party will also be required to answer questions on a diff erent form known as the “B Form.” The

witnesses are usually the parents of both parties, or if that is not possible, someone who has known them most of their lives.

3. Marriage License: Information on applying for a civil marriage license may be obtained in person

by visiting the Marriage License Bureau or online at, www.miami-dadeclerk.com, clicking on the tab “Children & Family” and selecting “Marriage.”

Note: If you bring the pre-marital preparation course certifi cate to the Marriage License Bureau, they will off er you a discount on the license fee.

In this letter, include your date of birth, and if available, the date of your baptism. It is recommended to include a self-addressed, stamped envelope.

“Dear Father: Please send me a copy of my Baptismal Certifi cate.I am soon to be married and would appreciate receiving the Certifi cate

at your earliest convenience. Thank you.”

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letter to the pastor of the church stating as follows:

Couple & Witness Forms:the marriage to fi ll out a form known as the “A Form,” in the

presence of the priest indicating that each one is free to marry. Two witnesses for each party will also be required to answer

In this letter, include your date of birth, and if available, the date of your baptism. It is recommended to include a self-addressed, stamped envelope.

Dear Father: Please send me a copy of my Baptismal Certifi cate.I am soon to be married and would appreciate receiving the Certifi cate

at your earliest convenience.

Pre-Marital Preparations:

1. Fully Engaged

2. Marriage Preparation Course

3. Natural Family Planning (NFP)

4. Rehearsals At the time the wedding date is set, we may also schedule the rehearsal date. The rehearsal is very important because it answers many practical questions about the actual ceremony and the role each one in the bridal party plays. A good rehearsal almost always means a beautiful ceremony. Normally these are held one or two days before the actual wedding in the early evening. If a wedding is set too far in advance, it is possible to delay scheduling the rehearsal until later. However, it is important for the couple and all persons in the wedding party to be on time for the rehearsal as well as for the wedding. The wedding rehearsal normally takes one hour.

The Sacraments:

The couple should receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation prior to their wedding. The Sacrament of Reconciliation is available at Our Lady of Lourdes Monday through Saturday. Please see the bulletin or website for the Confession schedule.

Please advise members of your wedding party, family, and friends to make their confession prior to the wedding.

Music:

Our Lady of Lourdes’ Music Department is happy to work with you on the music arrangements for your wedding.

A more detailed explanation of our “Regulations for Music” for weddings follows. All questions in regard to the music will be handled by the Music Department.

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Flowers and decorations:

The Church recommends no particular florist. We ask however that the floral arrangements and decorations be kept simple. Carefully read the “Regulations for the Florist” in this booklet.

We recommend that you make a copy of these regulations for your florist so these instructions are carried out, as you will be responsible for any damage to the church. Should the florist not adhere to these regulations, they will be restricted from handling any more weddings in the church.

Photographs and Video Recordings:

Photographers are permitted to take pictures during the ceremony but are asked to be respectful and to limit themselves to what is important.

Carefully read the “Regulations for the Photographer and Video Services” which follow and copy them for your photographer. He will not be allowed to handle any more weddings in the church should the regulations not be observed.

Donation:

The couple may make an offering in thanksgiving for their wedding.

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Regulations for Wedding Music

Y our wedding is an important sacramental event, and the music that you choose should reflect both the joy and the solemnity of this moment in your lives. The Music Ministry of Our Lady of Lourdes is committed to

working with you in choosing the most appropriate and meaningful music for your ceremony.

All arrangements for music at your wedding must be made through the Music Department. It is advised that you contact the Music Director five to six months in advance of your wedding in order to assure that all aspects of your ceremony are attended to. At that time, the Director will consult with you and make an appointment, if needed.

Organist:

Unless unavailable on the date of your wedding, our organist will play the organ for your ceremony. In the event the organist is unavailable on the date of your wedding, she will arrange for another organist, approved by the Music Department of Our Lady of Lourdes, to play at your weddings;

Singers:

Our Lady of Lourdes strongly encourages the use of one or more singers for the ceremony. The Music Department can provide anywhere from one soloist to an ensemble of singers for your ceremony. All arrangements for vocalists must be made through the Music Department. Please do not make outside arrangements for singers.

Instrumentalists:

Other instrumentation, in addition to the organ, is a wonderful way to add festivity and dignity to your ceremony. The Music Department can contract anywhere from one player to an ensemble for your wedding. If you wish to have orchestral music at your wedding, please make sure to contact the Music Department at least four to five months in advance of the ceremony.

Following are some of the important aspects to making the music for your wedding

the best possible:

Musical Selections:

You should consider having music at the following points in the ceremony:

The Prelude

Procession of the Bridal Party

Procession of the Bride

The Liturgy of the Word (Psalm and Alleluia)

Preparation of the Gifts

Communion

Recessional

All music should be appropriate to the solemn and dignifi ed nature of the ceremony. Pop and secular music are not permitted

during the Celebration of the Holy Eucharist.

Many people have very defi nite ideas about the music for their ceremony, however, if you would like to explore options which are not performed as often but are equally dignifi ed and beautiful the Music Department would be more than happy to discuss your musical options. Please remember that if you require special music, the ordering of the sheet music can take up to six weeks for delivery.

Music Fee:

The fee for the basic wedding music package, which includes the organist and vocalist, is $350.00 payable at the time of the consultation. However, should you wish singers or instrumentalists, as outlined above, or extra rehearsals, the music fee will change accordingly.

Regulations for the Florist

W e are happy to welcome you into Our Lady of Lourdes Church. We hope that you

consider it a privilege to be working in this church and for the couple who is to be married. Our church is a beautiful backdrop for your flowers, and therefore, we suggest simplicity as a general rule. We recommend that you visit the church prior to making your arrangements so that you may see for yourself the placing and volume needed.

The following regulations are designed to preserve the dignity and beauty of the Sacrament of Matrimony.

• Only two bouquets are permitted to be placed in the sanctuary area.

• No flowers, decorations, or bows may be taped, nailed, or tacked to the pews.

• Access to the center aisle from the pews is not to be blocked by decorations.

• Florists are allowed in the church one hour before the scheduled time of the wedding. We request that trucks and staff from florists not block the entrance to the church or interfere with the bridal party or guests of an earlier wedding.

• The florist must clean any litter involved in the placing of flowers.

• The flowers should remain in the church after the wedding ceremony is completed.

Please contact our parish office should you have any questions concerning these regulations or the decoration of our church.

Thank you very much for your cooperation. May we suggest that you save these instructions for future reference.

Regulations for the Photographer and Video Services

W e are happy to welcome you into Our Lady of Lourdes Church. We hope that you consider it a privilege to be working in the church and for the couple who is to be married. Photographs can be a lasting

memory of a very significant, solemn, and happy occasion for them. Therefore, it is important that we do not detract from the celebration and the ceremony. With this goal in mind, we ask you to observe the following regulations:

• Photographers and video operators are to be professionally dressed.

• Photographers and video operators are permitted to take pictures during the ceremony as long as this does not disrupt the ceremony in any way.

• The photographer and video operator must speak with the priest before the wedding ceremony begins.

• The photographer or video operator must not approach the altar during the wedding ceremony or block the center aisle during the processional or recessional.

• Do not delay the start of the ceremony with picture taking.

• Do not take longer than necessary with picture taking after the ceremony, particularly if there is another wedding following.

• No studio-style big lights are allowed in church at any time.

• The photographer and video operator are expected to clean up all their material and items related to their work.

• The priest will indicate to the video operator the best spot to set up the camera.

Please contact our parish office should you have any questions concerning these regulations.

Thank you very much for your cooperation. May we suggest that you save these instructions for future reference.

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Times of Weddings at Our Lady of LourdesFridays: 4:00 p.m., 5:00 p.m., or 6:00 p.m.

Saturdays: 12:00 p.m., 2:30 p.m., or 8:00 p.m.

We try to be accommodating in granting the date requested, but it may not always be possible due to prior scheduling in the Church.

Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church 11291 SW 142nd Avenue Miami, FL 33186

Phone: (305) 386-4121 Website: www.ololourdes.org

@ololourdes OLOL Catholic Church Miami FL @OLOLCatholicMiami