MARRIAGE IN THE CHURCH
“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.”
Step 1: Collect Information and Email
Your first concrete step is to download and complete the Wedding Information Form (excel file) and email the file it to the Parish Deacon.
Step 2: Meeting and Next Steps
The Parish Deacon will reach out to you and arrange a date for a Prenuptial Interview meeting and discuss the other steps. Please note a wedding date cannot be confirmed until after the prenuptial interview.
Step 3: Collect Documents
Obtain a recent copy (not older than six months) of a Baptism Certificate for those intended spouses who are Catholic. Collect any other supporting documentation that was discussed during the prenuptial interview for the Marriage File.
Step 4: Marriage Preparation and Bonus
Complete one of the Marriage Preparation courses offered throughout the Archdiocese of Ottawa-Cornwall.
FREE BONUS - We also offer for free the administration of the FOCCUS (Facilitating Open Couple Communication, Understanding and Study) premarital inventory. (This is optional)
Step 5: Meeting with the Celebrant
Once the Marriage File is completed, a meeting will be arranged with the pastor or celebrant delegate to discuss the wedding liturgy and liturgical music. A good resource is the webpage of Hamilton Diocese, which has the various readings (from the Old and the New Testament and the Gospels).
Step 6: Rehearsal and Celebration
Usually the rehearsal is the evening before the big day to help get everyone ready. Finally, all that is left is to celebrate the sacramental blessing of the Church, your wedding.