Living Your Catholic Marriage

Catholic Marriage is unique among other marital relationships because it is a sacrament that makes Christ's love truly present in our world. 

The vows exchanged by the couple are a sacred promise through which spouses share their entire lives with each other - a partnership of the whole of life.

Married couples are partners in all things, and must work with intentionality each day to be fully present to the other, to make important decisions together, to communicate openly and honestly about their feelings, and to make their marriage a priority above all other human relationships.

There are three main elements of Catholic marriage that constitute the sacred promises of the vows: 1) Marriage is permanent - this means that a true (valid) Catholic marriage is for life. It is indissoluble by the action of God because it is part of God's covenant; 2) it is exclusive - this means that all the rights and duties of marriage take place within the protective confines of the marital relationship; and that couples are always faithful to each other; and 3) it is open to life - this means that married couples are called to be co-creators with God, and welcome children with generous hearts.

Catholic marriage is also a vocation of service. Couples are called by God to be a gift to each other, their children, their extended families, their parish community, their neighborhood community, and ultimately the world. Some of the ways couples live their vocation is through active involvement in their parish community, and by helping as mentors for other couples and their families through difficulties they may have experienced themselves.

Catholic marriage is one of the most profound signs of God's love for humanity, and a particular sign of Christ's love for His people - the Church. In Catholic circles, we refer to Christ as the bridegroom and the entire Church as His bride.

We speak of a spousal relationship between Jesus and all members of the Church. Just as God's promise of unconditional love is forever, so couples are called to imitate this kind of unconditional love each day, and to follow the teachings of Jesus as proclaimed in the Gospel.

While it may seem impossible to love as Jesus teaches us, He gives us the supernatural ability - the gift of grace - to live according to his word. 

Click here to read more about Catholic marriage.