Pastoral Outreach to Christian Marriage

Formation, Preparation, Celebration, and Continuing Education
3.1 Our Catholic Heritage
3.2 Responsibilities of the Archdiocese
3.3 Responsibilities of the Parish
3.4 Responsibilities of the Engaged Couple

Home In the Spirit of Cana Table of Contents Acknowledgements Preface Introduction Formation Preparation Celebration Continuing Education Conclusion Appendices Other Resources

3.4  Responsibilities of the Engaged Couple 

Goal:   To have a fruitful celebration of their marriage in the Lord that reflects their own love,  and also proclaims and dignifies the Church’s teaching about marriage and demonstrates their willingness to become the living signs of God’s love. 

Guideline: Participate in liturgical preparation for their wedding as part of their overall marriage preparation. 

Discussion: Couples should be expected to take part in the liturgical planning for the wedding ceremony. This could include such things as selecting the readings and prayers from The Rite of Marriage. It could also include providing liturgical ministers for the ceremony, although these should be people who are properly trained and commissioned for that role. Since this is a parish event, however, the parish could consider providing its own ministers for the day, to emphasize that not only is this the couple’s ceremony, but one in which the community participates and rejoices.
 

Even though pets can be part of family life, including pets in The Rite of Marriage, which is sacred, is inappropriate, with the only exception being to assist those with impaired vision, i.e., seeing eye dogs. Family pets may not take part in the celebrations. 

Goal: To recognize their new role as members of the faith community and witness their role of service to the community.  

Guideline: Make their role in the marriage ceremony a model of service and hospitality. They should be a welcoming presence to the wedding guests.

 Discussion: Though modern practice would have us think that the marriage ceremony focuses on the bride for the most part and secondarily the groom, the marriage ceremony is actually a time of service by the bride and groom together to each other and the wedding guests. Their gift of themselves to each other marks the beginning of their sacramental relationship that will be lifelong. Their gift of themselves as a couple at the wedding symbolizes to their guests their new sacramental role in the community—to be a living witness to God’s presence.

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