Matrimony Study Guide

Matrimony: The Sacrament at the Service of Communion in which a covenant is made

between a man and a woman before God to love and support each other for life and to bring up
children in the faith.

Service of Communion: Matrimony and Holy Orders are the two Sacraments at the Service of
Communion.

Covenant: solemn promise between God and human beings.

Moses: He allowed the ancient Israelites to divorce because of their hardness of heart.

God created marriage at the very beginning when he created the first man and woman.

One body: When a man and a woman come together in marriage, they become one body.

Church: The union between a man and a woman in marriage symbolizes the union that Christ
has with His Church.

Adultery: Cheating on one’s spouse.

Divorce: Is very common in our society today because of our lack of commitment during tough
times.

Conjugal Love: the giving and receiving of the whole person in marriage

Domestic Church: the family home is to be a community of grace, prayer, and virtue.

Nuptial Blessing: prayer for the blessing of the marriage. It takes place toward the end of the
ceremony.

Three elements are necessary for the marriage to be valid:

1. The man and woman are both free to choose and freely choose to enter the marriage
covenant.
2. The man and the woman both commit to lifelong fidelity to each other.
3. The man and the woman are both open to the gift of children.

The Sacrament of Matrimony should take place in a church building because it is a sign of the
love between God and His Church.

Short Essay questions:

1. What three elements are necessary for a couple in the Sacrament of Matrimony? Why
are these elements important?

2. How does Saint Paul describe love in 1 Corinthians 13? Why do you think this is a
popular reading for weddings?

3. What is the Domestic Church? What are at least three ways families can live out their
call to be the Domestic Church?