Weddings
“Then the Lord God said, ‘It is not good for the man to live alone. I will make a suitable companion to help him.’ ... That is why a man leaves his father and mother and is united with his wife, and they become one.”
Genesis 2:18, 24
“The matrimonial covenant ... is by its nature ordered toward the good of the spouses and the procreation and education of offspring; this covenant between baptized persons has been raised by Christ the Lord to the dignity of a sacrament.”
Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1601
Marriage is the Sacrament by which a baptized man and a woman freely establish between themselves a union - partnership - of the whole of life. This covenant of love is by its nature ordered toward the good of the spouses and the procreation and education of offspring; this covenant between baptized persons has been raised by Christ the Lord to the dignity of a sacrament (CCC, 1601). This covenant is made between a man and woman in front of God and lasts a lifetime. The love between married couples is as our Lord loves His Church. The ultimate goal of a married couple is to get their spouse, and children, to heaven.
Married couples live out their sacrament by the way they care for one another, love one another, and are enthusiastic for one another as husband and wife. In their daily love for each other, their children, and the larger community, they become a living sign (a sacrament) for all of how much Jesus loves us and wishes to embrace us as His brothers and sisters. As they work their way through marital and family crises and struggles, they are witness to the power of the Holy Spirit at work in all our lives.
In order to live out this ideal Christian marriage, couples must have the ability to give and receive love and to sustain an intimate relationship. They must also have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and His Body, the Church.
Couples should contact the parish as soon as they decide to marry and before any other arrangements are made. For more information, please contact the Rectory at (973) 484-4600 (ext. 8424) or email Debra Loprete at debra.loprete@rcan.org.
Contact Us.
If you have any questions about anything, or if you would like more information about anything, please contact the Rectory at (973) 484-4600 or fill out the form to the right to email Debra Loprete, Wedding Coordinator at the Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart.