MARRIAGE

Congratulations on your engagement! Thank you for your interest in getting married at St. Julie Billiart.

THE SACRAMENT OF MATRIMONY

In Christian marriage, spouses model the love and self-gift of Christ. By giving of themselves and serving one another, their family, and their community, they help one another live out Christ’s call to discipleship, love, and service. Marriage provides a foundation for a family committed to community, solidarity, and Jesus’ mission in the world.

Jesus brought to full awareness the divine plan for marriage. In John’s Gospel, Christ’s first miracle occurs at the wedding in Cana. “The Church attaches great importance to Jesus’ presence at the wedding at Cana. She sees in it the confirmation of the goodness of marriage and the proclamation that thenceforth marriage will be an efficacious sign of Christ’s presence” (CCC, no. 1613).
Sacred Scripture begins with the creation and union of man and woman and ends with "the wedding feast of the Lamb" (Rev 19:7, 9). Scripture often refers to marriage, its origin and purpose, the meaning God gave to it, and its renewal in the covenant made by Jesus with his Church. Man and woman were created for each other.

By their marriage, the couple witnesses Christ's spousal love for the Church. One of the Nuptial Blessings in the liturgical celebration of marriage refers to this in saying, "Father, you have made the union of man and wife so holy a mystery that it symbolizes the marriage of Christ and his Church." 

The Sacrament of Marriage is a covenant, which is more than a contract. A covenant always expresses a relationship between persons. The marriage covenant refers to the relationship between the husband and wife, a permanent union of persons capable of knowing and loving each other and God. The celebration of marriage is also a liturgical act, appropriately held in a public liturgy at church. Catholics are urged to celebrate their marriage within the Eucharistic Liturgy.
~from the United States Catholic Catechism for Adults

MARRIAGE PREPARATION: The Official Process of the Marriage Preparation is a minimum of 6 months as the Archdiocese of Los Angeles recommends.
You will need to submit several documents that allows time for evaluation of a couple's readiness for sacramental married life. You and your fiancé will have a one-on-one interview with a priest, deacon or other parish official to determine whether there are any impediments to your marriage - that is, an issue (such as a previous marriage) that must be resolved before you can be married in the Church. To reserve date & time the following are required: - Baptismal Certificate (updated certified copy) - 1st Communion Certificate - Confirmation Certificate - $150 Deposit

MARRIAGE PREPARATION PROGRAM
After the initial meeting with the Priest or Deacon, you will be required to participate in a session where you will have an opportunity to assess your readiness for marriage and to assist you in understanding that marriage is a Vocation, a Covenant and a Sacrament.

https://lacatholics.org/catholic-engaged-encounter-cee/


Next informational seminar is September 

September 14, 2024 1-3 pm
There is no cost for the Information Seminar, please pre-register by emailing the Parish Office at [email protected]