The Sacrament of Matrimony

St. Joseph Parish invites couples to find nourishment in their personal journey to become witnesses of holiness and charity. Where family life is strong and healthy, it helps build that “civilization of life and love” which must be everyone’s aim. When the family is weak, all human relationships are exposed to instability and fragmentation (Pope John Paul II, Springtime of Evangelization, 95).

Here’s what the Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC) says about the Sacrament of Matrimony:

The intimate union of marriage, conjugal love involves a totality, in which all the elements of the person enter – appeal of the body and instinct, power of feeling and affectivity, aspiration of the spirit and will.

A deeply personal unity demands indissolubility, faithfulness in mutual giving and openness to fertility. Children then are the supreme gift of marriage. (1638 – 1651)

Those considering marriage at St. Joseph Catholic Church must practice the faith and be registered in the parish, or be the son or daughter of a registered parishioner. Non-parishioners may also be married at St. Joseph Catholic Church with the permission of the pastor.

Engaged couples planning to be married at St. Joseph Catholic Church should make contact with one of the priests or deacons of the parish as soon as they become engaged, but at least six months prior to their planned wedding date.

Many couples contact the parish at least one year in advance of their preferred date. Definite plans for the wedding should not be finalized until such contact has been made and the couple’s readiness for marriage has been determined

Preparation for marriage involves completion of a premarital survey, which facilitates discussion with the priest or deacon preparing you for marriage; participation in one of the marriage preparation programs offered by the Archdiocese of Saint Louis; an introduction to Natural Family Planning; planning the wedding ceremony with the priest or deacon; meeting with the parish director of music or organist to plan the music for the ceremony, and speaking with the parish wedding coordinator to review details of the ceremony so the coordinator can set up the church on the day of the wedding.