“The matrimonial covenant, by which a man and woman establish a consortium vitae (partnership of life) is ordered by its nature to the good of spouses (bonum coniugum)and to the generation and education of children (bonum prolis), has been raised by Christ the Lord to the dignity of a sacrament between the baptized. (CIC, c. 1055 §1)” Furthermore, “The essential properties of marriage are unity (bonum fidei) and indissolubility (bonum sacramenti), which in Christian marriage obtain a special firmness by reason of the sacrament. (CIC, c. 1056)” It is with great joy that the Christian community celebrates the Sacrament of Matrimony, because through this sacrament we see the public witness to the reality of Jesus who marries the Church, the People of God and forms with them an indissoluble bond, that brings forth new life, is faithful to each other, and looks toward the authentic good of the other as an aide to holiness of life.
Thus, marital consent must include: The good of exclusive fidelity (bonum fidei), the good of children/openness to children (bonum prolis), the good of the spouse – that you will mutually help each other to a life of holiness (bonum coniugum), and the good of perpetuity – indissolubility (bonum sacramenti). It is also necessary to recognize that marriage is a sacrament, the good of the sacrament (bonum sacramentalitatis) and that as a sacrament it is an efficacious sign of God’s salvific love for us. It is the consent between two baptized persons, one man and one woman, that makes this special contract a sacrament (See CIC, c. 1057 §§1-2) because their marriage makes publically visible the marriage of Christ Jesus to the People of God, the Church.
To get married at our beautiful country parish, please contact the parish office: 973-948-3185. There will be three required meetings with the priest for marriage preparation, Pre-Cana and “A Joy Filled Marriage”program. Please plan for at least six months before the proposed wedding date.
If you are a catholic and plan on getting married outside of the Catholic Church please note: All Catholics are bound by the canonical form of marriage (See CIC,cc. 1108) and thus cannot contract a valid marriage outside of the Catholic Church without a dispensation from the Apostolic See. Please contact the parish office, we are happy to talk with you.
Our parish also hosts special presentations for those already married to accompany you while living this beautiful sacrament. Or, if you have gotten a divorce and would like to seek an annulment, please contact the parish office: 973-948-3185.