Holy Matrimony
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"This one at last is bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh."
Genesis 2:23
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Holy Matrimony
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God's Plan for LoveCongratulations! You're engaged! Since the beginning of time, God has made it known that "it is not good for the man to be alone". And now, we share in your joy as your heart proclaims, "I have found the one whom [my] soul loves"! [Song of Songs 3:4] Indeed, your "big day" is drawing near. However, let us not get lost in the details that surround this single day: selecting a caterer, buying the perfect dress, etc. But instead, let us remember that a Christian marriage actually lasts a lifetime. We, at St. Anthony, desire to accompany you as you prepare for not just a beautiful wedding, but for a joy-filled marriage.
Our Catholic faith holds marriage in high regard, given it's dignity as a Sacrament. In fact, through holy matrimony, a husband and wife themselves become a living sacrament (in the sense that a sacrament makes visible that which is invisible). Through their bodies, a husband and wife "transfer into the visible reality of the world, the invisible mystery hidden in God from time immemorial, and thus [become] a sign of it" (St. John Paul II). In a word, through their marital love and gift of self, they reveal and give flesh to the Trinity's innermost secret: God is love.
With this in mind, God's love is free (Jn 10:18), total (Jn 13:1), faithful (Matt 28:20), and fruitful (Jn 10:10). And so too, ought the love that is shared between a husband and wife, father and mother, be free, total, faithful and fruitful. These are not just "arbitrary adjectives", but in fact, they illustarte how to imitate the gift Christ gave to us on the cross, his "self-emptying" love. St. Paul speaks of this when he says, "Wives be submissive to your husbands…Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the Church” (Ephesians 5:21,25). St. Paul does not say this to tick people off. Instead, he says this to encourage wives to be “under the mission” (Latin: “sub” = under, “missio” = mission) of their husband. And what is that mission, but to love as Christ loved the Church. And how did Christ love the Church? He “gave up himself for her” (5:25) - He suffered and died for his beloved! Now what heart is not moved by a love like that?!
And so, as you enter into this divine mystery, we invite you to prepare for a joy filled marriage, as you also rediscover God’s plan for love.
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ENGAGED COUPLES:
Begin your new life together by getting married in the Catholic Church, which by canon law all baptized Catholics are required to do, following a solid preparation for marriage. For marriage preparation, please contact the Parish Office (406) 628-7182 at least six months before your desired wedding date.
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Rite of Betrothal
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Betrothal sanctifies the engagement, and turns the ring into a sacramental. It is not required for Matrimony, but it is a great blessing. If you wish to be betrothed, contact Fr. Bart Stevens to set a time and date.
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What is a traditional Betrothal Ceremony and why choose to begin an engagement with it?
The betrothal ceremony is the way in which Catholic couples enter formally into their engagement, making a solemn promise to marry and asking the Church’s blessing on their time of preparation and on their eventual marriage. It is a rich ceremony that deserves to be rediscovered and practiced on a wide scale.
One could say many things about the fittingness of solemnizing an engagement in this centuries-old way, but perhaps the most obvious benefits are that it elevates the mutual promise from a merely human act to an act blessed by Christ and the Church, sanctifies and purifies the intentions of the couple, and asks God’s graces for a peaceful and chaste engagement. It also serves, for any others who happen to attend, as a testimony to the Catholic faith the couple share and to their earnest desire to enter into the honorable state of Christian wedlock, so much under fire today. In that way it is both countercultural and evangelistic.~ DR. PETER KWASNIEWSKI
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Convalidation
BRING YOUR MARRIAGE INTO THE CHURCH
Did you know that canon law requires all baptized Catholics to marry in the Catholic Church, unless given official permission to do otherwise? It’s important. If you married outside of the Church, we encourage you to celebrate your marriage in the Church – called convalidation. It’s not difficult to do or a lengthy process, and it brings your civil marriage “into good standing” with the Church. Convalidations are usually celebrated simply.
To learn more about Convalidations contact Fr. Bart Stevens or Deacon Dave Odermann directly.
Convalidation: Bringing Your Marriage Into The Church
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