Marriage is the sacrament by which Christ joins a Christian man and woman in a grace-giving, lifelong union. Thus, any two baptized people capable of marriage, when they are freely and legally married thereby receive the sacrament of marriage. Christ joins them together. The couple give the sacrament of marriage to each other in what is probably the most important exercise of their priesthood. As the ordained priest is Christ's instrument in bringing about the Eucharist or in giving Christ's forgiveness in confession, so the husband gives this sacrament to his wife, and she to him.

Any Catholic adult (18 years and older) is able to get married in the Catholic Church. If a person is divorced and wants to marry or remarry in the Catholic Church they can "petition" to be free to marry through the annulment process. The annulment of a prior marriage may be sought by contacting the pastor or one of the lay advocates within the parish.

Eight months preparation is required before the marriage of a Catholic. These preparations include participation in a Marriage Prep Program and counseling with the FOCCUS instrument (a pre-marital inventory). 

Couples must contact the pastor at least eight months before the anticipated wedding date, prior to making any other arrangements or reserving a reception hall, etc., and to enroll in the Marriage Preparation Program. To begin the process, please contact the Parish Office.

If you would like to know more about the process or are interested in a couples retreat, visit the Archdiocese's Office of Marriage and Family Life website here