The Sacrament of Matrimony (CCC, 1601)
“The matrimonial covenant, by which a man and a woman establish between themselves a partnership of the whole of life, is by its nature ordered toward the good of the spouses and the procreation and education of offspring; this covenant between baptized persons has been raised by Christ the Lord to the dignity of a sacrament”.
Congratulations! We are happy you have decided to marry in the Catholic Church. We want to help you have a successful marriage.
There is education and preparation for receiving all the sacraments of the faith, including the Sacrament of Matrimony. The name PreCana is based on the Wedding Feast at Cana, where Jesus performed his first public miracle, changing water into wine at the request of his mother. Pre means before your own wedding day, we help you prepare for the Sacrament of Matrimony and start you on your journey to a lifelong marriage.
PREPARATION
The couple must come in and talk to the Priest at least 6 months prior to the wedding day.
The couple must bring:
- Baptism Certificate (updated – must be issued within 6 months from the date of Marriage Ceremony)
- Confirmation Certificate
These certificates must be dated no more then 6 months before the date of the wedding. Please include a copy of the address of the Church of Baptism.
The bride and groom need to bring 2 witness (in most cases).
The couple needs to attend a Pre-Cana class and bring proof of class attendance. When you come in and talk to the Priest, you will be given information about Pre-Cana classes and where to go.
The couple needs to obtain a Marriage License, at least 2 weeks, but not more than 60 days, before the wedding, and give it to the Priest. When you go to City Hall or the court house to get your Marriage License, don’t tell them you wanted to get married, instead, tell them you want to get a Marriage License.
When you get married in the Church, the Priest will act as both Priest and Judge.
DATES AND TIMES
No date or time for a wedding should be considered firm until that date has been discussed and agreed upon with the piest. Generally, weddings may be celebrated on Saturdays at 12:00 pm and 2:00pm. Weddings are not celebrated during the season of Lent or during the Easter Triduum, and may be restricted at other times of the year. A date and time for rehearsal should also be scheduled with the parish priest and parish office.
PLANNING THE CEREMONY
The priest you are working with will assist you in planning your wedding liturgy. Your wedding must follow the directives and norms of the Catholic Church, though you will have some options to personalize your wedding celebration. The priest will give you options for Scripture readings and Petitions, as well as instructions for readers, gift bearers, and Ministers of Holy Communion.
If both bride and groom are Catholic, it is most appropriate to celebrate your marriage within the context of the Eucharist. If one of the parties is of another Christian faith, it may be more appropriate to celebrate the wedding ceremony outside the Eucharist, that is, within the context of the Liturgy of the Word, which would enable all guests to fully participate. If either the bride or groom is not baptized, the wedding ceremony outside the Eucharist is the only option.
Please call our parish office (708) 423-0321 for Weeding Information Booklet.
There are 10 Steps to getting married in the Archdiocese of Chicago.
- Meet with one of the parish priests. Get the information about guidelines for marriage at St. Daniel the Prophet Church.
- Attend a marriage preparation class called PreCana. Information and scheduling for PreCana can be found at www.familyministries.org or by calling 312.534.8201. PreCana classes are offered regularly at St. Daniel the Prophet Church and are held in our Mulligan Hall located in the church basement.
- Attend an introductory Natural Family Planning or Christian Sexuality class. NFP consists of scientific natural methods to achieve, space, or avoid a pregnancy, strengthening the marriage, the couple, and the family by teaching couples to read and interpret signs of fertility and infertility. The Christian Sexuality class is based on the Theology of the Body with lectures, discussion, and workbook exercises.
- Attend a Discover Weekend. This is an optional opportunity for couples who would like to further explore their relationship as part of their preparation for marriage.
- Review what you have learned about yourselves as a couple with your marriage preparation minister (priest or deacon). Discuss any issues or concerns raised in your marriage preparation and review the details of the ceremony with the pastoral minister. Complete all papers and review the readings and music you have chosen.
- Buy your marriage license. The purchase of a Marriage License is a mandatory requirement of the State of Illinois. You cannot get married at St. Albert the Great Church without a Marriage License. You can purchase your marriage License at the Bridgeview Court House Monday through Friday. We recommend that you purchase your marriage license at least 30 days, but not more that 60 days, before your wedding date. You should bring your Marriage License to the Rectory no later than the day of your wedding rehearsal.
- Attend your wedding rehearsal. The wedding rehearsal usually takes place at the church on the evening before your wedding day. The time should be scheduled with your marriage minister (priest or deacon). All those involved in the ceremony, bridesmaids, ushers, readers, parents etc should be invited to attend.
- Enjoy your wedding day. Your big day is finally here as you begin your lifetime commitment to one another, your own marriage in the Lord.
For further information, please call (708)423-0321
Matrimony
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. 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 | en español
MARRIAGE LINKS
- Spanish – Espaniol
- Polish – Po Polsku
- For a lifelong marriage
- Planning a Catholic Wedding
- Marriage Preparation Classes
- Engaged – What is next?
- Family Ministries • Archdiocese of Chicago
- Parents And Parenting
- Wedding Ceremony
- Marriage Preparation
- Marriage: Love and Life in the Divine Plan
CHILDREN NATURAL FAMILY PLANNING
- Why Use Natural Family Planning?
- Fortifying Families of Faith
- Find an NFP Class
- What is Natural Family Planning?
PROBLEMS IN MARRIAGE
Pray
- Prayer for a Married Couple
- Prayer of a Couple on the Anniversary of Marriage
- Celebrating the Rite of Marriage
Learn
- Explore the USCCA to learn about the celebration of Marriageand its purpose and effects in the couple’s life and the life of the Church. | en español
- Marriage: Sacrament of Enduring Love
- Formation in Human Sexuality, Marriage, and Family Life
- Resources on marriage and family life
Act
- Matrimony: United in Love, Strengthened for Service | en español
- Family Retreat: Nurturing and Sustaining Christian Marriage
- Seven Day Virtual Marriage Retreats
How to Get Married
From putting together a wedding ceremony, to being a resource throughout the years following the wedding, the Archdiocese of Chicago serves as a resource to all engaged and married couples. The archdiocese aims to ensure all couples have every opportunity to create a marriage that echoes the love that God has for us all: a happy, healthy, holy marriage, and a covenant that is truly grounded in the Lord. This site provides you with basic information necessary to start the process of getting married in the Catholic Church.
The following steps are your starting point to prepare for your marriage:
Schedule an introductory meeting with your home parish priest or deacon
At least six months before your desired wedding date, please meet with your home parish priest or deacon before committing to any date. Please read your home parish’s marriage guidelines.
- Once your wedding date is set, a prenuptial file will be created.
- Your home parish will work with you in completing the paperwork for this file.
- If you are getting married outside of the Archdiocese of Chicago:
- Your home parish needs to send this completed prenuptial file to the Archdiocese of Chicago Canonical Affairs Office for review and verification.
- Once the Canonical Affairs Office approves your file, they will send this file to the out-of-state or out-of-country diocese where you are getting married.
- Only the Canonical Affairs Office is to send this paperwork to the out-of-state or out-of-country diocese to grant you permission to get married outside the Archdiocese of Chicago.
Have a premarital evaluation and discussion
The Catholic Couple Check Up or FOCCUS are questionnaires based on scientific research and a Catholic understanding of marriage. These questionnaires are taken online and can be accessed here. If you take the Catholic Couple Checkup, the results are available as soon as you finish and you can discuss them together or with the person preparing you for marriage. If your parish requires FOCCUS, please connect with your parish contact about next steps.
Attend a PreCana class
PreCana class gives couples the opportunity to learn about the sacrament of marriage and prepare their hearts leading up to their wedding day. Please visit our Marriage Preparation Courses site for more information and to register.
Follow-up with your priest or deacon
Discuss any issues or concerns raised in your marriage preparation class and share the results of your premarital questionnaire. Finalize the ceremony details, finish the paperwork, and review the chosen readings and music.
Purchase a marriage license and attend the wedding rehearsal
Purchase your marriage license at least one, but no more than 60 days (about 2 months) before the ceremony. For information on purchasing a license in Cook County, please click here. For Lake County, please click here. We advise couples to check government offices’ schedules ahead of time, as they tend to close early before holidays. Your wedding rehearsal will take place at your church with those involved in the ceremony.
Enjoy your wedding day as you receive the Sacrament of Matrimony
Your big day is finally here. Enjoy this day with family and friends as you begin your lifetime commitment to one another and your own marriage in the Lord.
Wedding Music
- Processional: (two or three instrumental pieces, one for wedding party, one for groom, one for bride )
- Responsorial Psalm:
- Offertory:
- Communion:
- Meditation:
- Recessional:
