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CHAPTER 12: Matrimony

CHAPTER 12: Matrimony. Celebrating the covenant of love. Basic Facts. Also known as Marriage One of the sacraments at the Service of Communion: Consecrate people to special roles of service in the Body of Christ. Sacred bond or covenant between man and woman that

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CHAPTER 12: Matrimony

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  1. CHAPTER 12: Matrimony Celebrating the covenant of love

  2. Basic Facts • Also known as Marriage • One of the sacraments at the Service of Communion: • Consecrate people to special roles of service in the Body of Christ. • Sacred bond or covenant between man and woman that • pledges them to be faithful lifelong spouses • Love and care for each other • Raising and guiding children in this world.

  3. What does Matrimony Celebrate? • Mutual self-giving • Covenantal faithfulness • Becoming of one’s real self • Creativity

  4. Mutual Self-Giving • Story “The Gift of the Magi.” • Because of the unique aspects of the friendship that is the marriage relationship, Matrimony has always had a special place in the Judeo-Christian vision as a way of revealing God’s love in human terms. • Of all human relationships, the marriage relationship represents how God related to us. • Marriage has been regarded as a symbol of God’s total gift of self to human beings.

  5. “A Communion of the Whole Life” • The mutual gift of self that happens in sexual intercourse is meant to express a man and woman’s sharing their most intimate selves at every level of life. • Sexual intercourse is intended only for marriage because it embodies the total sharing of a whole committed life together . • In the words of the Catholic Church document, marriage is a “communion of the whole life.”

  6. Covenantal Faithfulness • Legally, marriage is a contract. • In the Judeo-Christian tradition, marriage is not only a contract but also a covenant • Modeled on the Covenant between God and the Chosen People (the Jews) • Covenant—is a solemn promise between two parties. • Theological sense—agreement of love between God and humans. • Bound to each other with promises of love and faithfulness.

  7. Becoming One’s Real Self • Over a lifetime together, married partners become persons they never would have become if it were not for marriage to each other. • Blessed by the grace of the sacrament of Matrimony, a couple can believe, even in the hardest times, that God has given them their own individual, ultimate destiny as a “real” person.

  8. Creativity • Bringing children into the world. • Blessing to a family, not a burden. • Raising children brings growth, joy, love, gratitude towards a new life. • A marriage in which the couple is physically unable to have children can still be creative or fruitful. • Nurturing Faith • Parents are responsible not only to bring their baby to the parish for Baptism, but live the faith into which their child has been welcomed by the church. • The Second Vatican Council called the family the “domestic Church.” • The home is where parents teach children simple prayers and concepts about God and Jesus. • Children learn the meaning of Christmas and Easter. • Reign of God • Improving their community’s schools • Working against racial discrimination, fundraisers, etc.

  9. The Ritual of Matrimony: Symbolic Actions and Words • The husband and wife are the primary symbols of Matrimony. • In the Roman rite of Catholicism, they, not the priest or deacon, are ministers of the sacrament through their mutual consent. • The priest or deacon at the wedding of a Catholic is a witness of the marriage. • The community as a symbol • Support of relatives, friends, and the wider church. • Marriage in the church means the couple make their promises to each other wit the support and presence of the faith community.

  10. Adaptable to Various Needs • Normally and ideally, the marriage ritual for Catholics takes place within the celebration of Mass. • Receiving of the Eucharist • In a marriage between a Catholic and a non-Catholic, however, frequently the couple will choose not to have their wedding during Mass. • avoid a situation where not everyone is invited to Communion

  11. The Location • Since Vatican Council II, much greater flexibility on location of a wedding. • Ideal place—Catholic Church • Permission can be granted from the bishop or parish priest to hold the wedding in another Christian church.

  12. Three possible rites for this sacrament in the Catholic Church: 1. The rite for celebrating Matrimony during Mass 2. Rite for celebrating Matrimony outside Mass • marriage between a Catholic and a baptized non-Catholic. 3. Rite for celebrating Matrimony between a Catholic and unbaptized person.

  13. Common Elements in all 3 Rites: • The liturgy of the word • The Consent (The vows) • The most essential part of the rite of Matrimony. • Without free mutual consent, a marriage does not exist. • The blessing and exchanging of rings • Symbol of wholeness and unity • The nuptial blessing • Prayer for God’s grace, peace, love, and strength to be with the couple through all their life and for the gift of children. • The final blessing

  14. Personalizing a Wedding • The church encourages people to incorporate customs from their cultures into the wedding ceremony. • Selecting scriptural readings, prayers, and blessings • Compose petitions • Select the music • Select or compose their own vows • Invite friends or relatives to participate in the rite

  15. Cultural Customs • The church encourages people to incorporate customs from their cultures into the wedding ceremony. • Many wedding customs that people have assumed to be Christian are actually rooted in pre-Christian culture. • Greek and Roman cultures (before the time of Christ) • Father of the bride hands over his daughter to the groom • The bride, in a white gown and veil holding flowers • Eating of a special wedding cake.

  16. Matrimony’s History • The church was not actively involved in marriage laws and rites until the 7th century. • By the 13th century, marriage had become one of the seven official sacraments. • The church maintains that a valid marriage is permanent and cannot be dissolved. • This belief is based on Jesus’ teachings in the Gospel.

  17. Annulment vs. Divorce • An annulment given by the church declares that a valid sacramental marriage never existed in the first place. • Reasons or an annulment: unable to make a permanent commitment, existence of significant misunderstanding, dishonest about their intent, prior existing marriage • A divorce dissolves a marriage that once existed and is given by civil authorities. • Abuse (physical/sexual), adultery, deceit

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