SACRAMENT OF MATRIMONY

 


Liturgical Celebration of Sacrament of Matrimony
Liturgical Celebration of Sacrament of Matrimony

By Edward Matulanya 

Here are Meaning, Biblical Foundations, Historical Development, Theology, Liturgical Celebration, and effects of Sacrament of Matrimony in the Roman Catholic Church.

1. Meaning of Sacrament of Matrimony in Catholic Church 

The Sacrament of Matrimony is the covenant by which a baptized man and a baptized woman establish between themselves a partnership of the whole of life. It is ordered toward the good of the spouses and the procreation and education of children (Catechism of the Catholic Church [CCC], 1994/1997, §1601). According to Catholic teaching, it is a sacrament—an outward sign instituted by Christ to give grace.

The spouses are the ministers of the sacrament, exchanging consent freely, while the priest or deacon serves as the official witness of the Church (Martos, 2001).

2. Sacrament of Matrimony in Biblical Foundations

Marriage is rooted in Scripture. In Genesis, God declares that “It is not good that the man should be alone” (Gen 2:18, New Revised Standard Version). Jesus reaffirms the indissolubility of marriage: “What God has joined together, let no one separate” (Matt 19:6, NRSV).

St. Paul interprets marriage sacramentally, seeing it as a “great mystery” that reflects Christ’s union with the Church (Eph 5:25–32; O’Collins, 2002).

3. Historical Development of Sacrament of Matrimony 

Early Church (1st–4th centuries)

The early Christians regarded marriage as holy but did not systematize it as a sacrament. Christian marriages were blessed within the community, often by the local bishop or priest (Kelly, 1985).

Patristic Period (4th–9th centuries)

St. Augustine emphasized the goods of marriage: children, fidelity, and indissolubility (De Bono Coniugali) (Augustine, trans. 1955).

Medieval Period (9th–12th centuries)

Canon law and scholastic theology increasingly recognized consent as essential. Marriage was gradually distinguished from mere civil contract (Noonan, 1965).

High Middle Ages (12th–16th centuries)

Peter Lombard listed Matrimony among the seven sacraments in Sentences. The Council of Florence (1439) formally affirmed it as a sacrament. The Council of Trent (1545–1563) responded to Protestant challenges by declaring Matrimony a true sacrament and requiring public rites before a priest and witnesses (Council of Trent, trans. 1978).

Modern Period (17th century–present)

Magisterial teaching deepened Catholic understanding:

Casti Connubii (Pius XI, 1930) stressed marriage’s sanctity and procreation.

Vatican II’s Gaudium et Spes (1965) emphasized mutual love and partnership.

St. John Paul II’s Familiaris Consortio (1981) presented marriage as a vocation of love and service.

Pope Francis’ Amoris Laetitia (2016) highlighted pastoral care and the mercy of God in family life.

4. Theological Meaning of Sacrament of Matrimony

Catholic theology sees Matrimony as:

A covenant: not merely a contract, but modeled after God’s covenant fidelity (CCC, 1994/1997).

A symbol of Christ and the Church: expressing spousal love between Christ and His Church (Eph 5).

A vocation to holiness: a path for sanctification through family life (O’Collins, 2002).

A source of grace: strengthening spouses in fidelity, fruitfulness, and love (Martos, 2001).

5. Liturgical Celebration of Sacrament of Matrimony 

The Catholic Rite of Marriage includes:

1. Liturgy of the Word (Scripture readings).

2. Exchange of consent (vows).

3. Exchange of rings (sign of fidelity).

4. Nuptial blessing (invocation of grace).

5. Eucharist (if within Mass).

6. Essential Characteristics

According to the Catholic Church, Matrimony has four essential properties:

Unity: one man and one woman.

Indissolubility: lifelong permanence.

Fidelity: exclusivity of love.

Fruitfulness: openness to children (CCC, 1994/1997, §1643).

Effects of Sacrament of Matrimony 

There are various effects for Christians to have a Sacrament of Matrimony as explained below.

Grace of the Sacrament

One of the primary effects of Matrimony is the special sacramental grace given to the spouses. This grace strengthens their natural love, purifies it, and elevates it to a supernatural dimension. It enables them to forgive each other, grow in fidelity, and persevere in holiness together. This sacramental grace allows married couples to reflect Christ’s love for the Church (Ephesians 5:25–32; John Paul II, 1981).

Indissoluble Bond

Marriage, once validly contracted and consummated, creates an indissoluble bond. The spouses are united in a permanent covenant that no human authority can dissolve. The Church teaches that “a marriage between baptized persons is ratified and consummated; it can never be dissolved” (CCC, 1997, §1640). This bond reflects God’s faithful love for humanity.

Sanctification of the Couple

Through the sacrament, the couple’s ordinary married life—work, intimacy, suffering, and joy—becomes a path of sanctification. Matrimony transforms daily living into a means of holiness and fidelity to God. Spouses are called to mirror Christ’s self-giving love by making a total gift of themselves to one another (Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith [CDF], 1983).

Participation in Christ’s Love for the Church

Matrimony is a visible sign of Christ’s covenant with the Church. The couple, by their mutual love and fidelity, make present the mystery of divine love in the world. Their unity becomes a sacramental witness of the love between Christ and His Church (Paul VI, 1968).

Grace for Parenthood and Family Life

Another effect of Matrimony is the grace to welcome and educate children. The couple becomes co-creators with God and forms a domestic church, a community of faith, hope, and charity (CCC, 1997, §1655–1658). Parents are entrusted with the spiritual and moral formation of their children, ensuring that faith is transmitted to the next generation (John Paul II, 1981).

Perseverance in Fidelity

The sacrament also provides spouses with the strength to remain faithful amid difficulties, temptations, and trials. The grace sustains conjugal love and helps the couple avoid selfishness, endure suffering, and live their vows until death (CCC, 1997, §1641–1642).

Communal and Ecclesial Effect

Finally, Matrimony is not only a private union but also a mission for the Church and society. By raising children in the faith and serving as witnesses of God’s love, married couples contribute to the sanctification of the Church and the transformation of the world (Francis, 2016).

References

Augustine. (1955). De bono coniugali [On the good of marriage] (C. T. Wilcox, Trans.). Catholic University of America Press. (Original work written ca. 401).

Catechism of the Catholic Church. (1994/1997). Libreria Editrice Vaticana. English translation by United States Catholic Conference.

Catechism of the Catholic Church. (1997). Catechism of the Catholic Church (2nd ed.). Libreria Editrice Vaticana.

Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. (1983). Charter of the Rights of the Family. Libreria Editrice Vaticana.

Council of Trent. (1978). The canons and decrees of the Council of Trent (H. J. Schroeder, Trans.). TAN Books. (Original work published 1545–1563).

Francis. (2016). Amoris laetitia: Post-synodal apostolic exhortation on love in the family. Libreria Editrice Vaticana.

John Paul II. (1981). Familiaris consortio: On the role of the Christian family in the modern world. Libreria Editrice Vaticana.

Kelly, J. N. D. (1985). Early Christian doctrines (Rev. ed.). Harper & Row.

Martos, J. (2001). Doors to the sacred: A historical introduction to sacraments in the Catholic Church (Rev. ed.). Ligouri/Triumph.

Noonan, J. T. (1965). Contraception: A history of its treatment by the Catholic theologians and canonists. Harvard University Press.

O’Collins, G. (2002). Living Vatican II: The 21st Council for the 21st century. Paulist Press.

Paul VI. (1968). Humanae vitae: Encyclical letter on the regulation of birth. Libreria Editrice Vaticana.

Pius XI. (1930). Casti connubii: On Christian marriage. Libreria Editrice Vaticana.

The Holy Bible. (2001). The Holy Bible, New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition. National Council of Churches.

Vatican Council II. (1965). Gaudium et spes: Pastoral constitution on the Church in the modern world. Libreria Editrice Vaticana.

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