The Celebration of Marriage
The liturgical celebration of marriage is a sacramental act within the Church, normally within Mass, where the couple enters the covenant before God.
CCC 1621–1624
Key Points
The central teachings from this section of the Catechism.
In the Latin Rite, the celebration of marriage between two Catholic faithful normally takes place during Holy Mass. It is fitting that the spouses seal their consent by offering their lives united to the offering of Christ in the Eucharistic sacrifice.
Marriage is a sacramental act of sanctification and therefore should be celebrated in a public liturgical ceremony. The liturgical celebration should express the ecclesial and sacramental character of marriage before witnesses, the priest or deacon, and the assembly of the faithful.
Proper preparation is essential for a worthy and fruitful celebration. The instruction of the parties and the liturgical celebration itself should make clear that the spouses are the ministers of Christ's grace, mutually conferring the sacrament upon one another.
The various liturgical traditions of the Church reflect the rich diversity of celebrating the same sacrament. In the Eastern Churches, the priest or bishop who presides receives the mutual consent and bestows the nuptial blessing, while the crowning of the couple is the visible sign.
From the Catechism
"In the Latin Rite the celebration of marriage between two Catholic faithful normally takes place during Holy Mass, because of the connection of all the sacraments with the Paschal mystery of Christ."
— CCC 1621
"Inasmuch as it is a sacramental action of sanctification, the liturgical celebration of marriage . . . must be per se valid, worthy, and fruitful."
— CCC 1622
Scripture
"On the third day there was a marriage at Cana in Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there; Jesus also was invited to the marriage, with his disciples. . . . This, the first of his signs, Jesus did at Cana in Galilee, and manifested his glory."
"Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word."
"So they are no longer two but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let not man put asunder."
Common Questions
The Catechism teaches that because all sacraments are connected to Christ's Paschal mystery, it is fitting for the spouses to seal their consent within the Eucharistic sacrifice. Receiving Communion together as a newly married couple expresses their unity in Christ.
In the Latin Rite, the spouses themselves are the ministers of the sacrament — they confer the sacrament upon each other through their exchange of consent. The priest or deacon serves as the official witness of the Church, receives the consent, and gives the nuptial blessing.
Yes. When a Catholic marries a non-Catholic, or in other pastoral circumstances, the celebration may take place outside of Mass using the Rite of Marriage outside Mass. The bishop may also grant permission for other arrangements in particular cases.
The liturgical celebration of marriage expresses the sacred character of the covenant. Whether within Mass or in another liturgical form, the Church surrounds the spouses with prayer, blessing, and the witness of the faithful.