Sacrament of Marriage

Wedded bliss...

Over the past three months, I have had three back-to-back weddings of close friends: two non-denominational and a Catholic Wedding.  While all the ceremonies were beautiful- I will be taking a detail look at how Catholics celebrate marriage.  To Catholics marriage is a BIG deal - so big indeed that it’s one of the church’s seven Sacraments!  Usually the wedding planning process is shared with the parish priest and the community.  Before one selects the date, one needs to make sure that the priest and parish are available- thus for the following year the couple works closely with the church leader.  The priest assesses the couple and interviews each individually for compatibility and for the presence of faith in order to marry them.  In addition, the couple must participate in a pre-marriage counseling program which is done during a weekend retreat or through various sessions during several weeks. As the day approaches the Sacrament of Reconciliation is highly recommended and a couple days before the big day a final practice (with the wedding party) takes place at the parish with the priest.  Though the above description sounds difficult, time consuming and even stressful- marriage is for life and thus one needs to spiritually prepare for it as an athlete prepares for a competition.

Here comes the bride...

"I give you these 13 coins as a symbol of my unquestionable trust and confidence, I place in you as my beloved wife. As we unite our lives today I share all material responsibility with you."

The process involves God in every aspect of the wedding preparation.  In fact, after my friend's fiance proposed to her - they stopped by their home parish to pray and give thanks to God before sharing the news with family and friends.  As they planned the religious ceremony, they worked together selecting scripture, music, lectors and a choir to add a personalized touch.  It turned out to be one of the best wedding Eucharistic Celebrations that I have been to. Father felt among friends because more than half of the people in attendance belong to the Santa Barbara Parish community. He really knew the couple because they are all friends.  During the Homily Father joked, laughed and offered great advice.  I was laughing one moment and crying the next.  What really got me is (that after being to ceremonies were God was not allowed) here God was the main guest and I truly felt His joyful presence. It was more than a celebration of the union between man and woman as witnessed by the community- it was a union between man, woman and God!  As a friend read one of the readings and I heard God's words a smile broke across my face because God was given His place (the highest place) in this celebration.  Listening to the reading felt as if I was listening to an old, respected leader of the tribe or perhaps a wise King.  The whole celebration felt like a royal affair where the King of Kings orchestrated the union of two souls in love.

Jesus Body, Soul and Divinity. 

The vows and the prepping the rosary for the couple to wear...

The ceremony also included various cultural rituals, like the groom giving the bride thirteen gold coins pledging his commitment to provide and care for her.  The bride by accepting them communicated her trust and intent to also support her husband.  The coins were blessed by Father and also represent Jesus and the twelve apostles. After the wedding vows, the couple knelt together for a special blessing and a rosary was placed around their shoulders to symbolize their commitment to one another.  It was placed horizontal in a figure eight symbolizing infinity and affirming the life-long union.  Then a bouquet of flowers was offered to Mother Mary asking for her intercession in the marriage.  Everything turned out beautiful and I was just so excited and happy knowing that God and Mary were part of such an important day (SMILE).

Mr. & Mrs.