Matrimony
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"More than any other human relationship, that of husband and wife most clearly reflects the unity and fruitful love which exists between Christ and his Church."
Ephesians 5:32
CELEBRATING THE SACRAMENT OF MARRIAGE
AT THE CATHEDRAL OF OUR LADY OF WALSINGHAM
Congratulations on your engagement! The clergy and staff of the Cathedral of Our Lady of Walsingham take seriously the Sacrament of Matrimony and strive to offer an in-depth marriage formation in order to provide a solid foundation with which to begin your lifelong partnership. Due to the nature of our formation process, we require that either the bride or groom or both has been an active, registered parishioner who regularly attends Sunday Mass for at least 3 months before beginning our marriage formation process.*
Your preliminary step toward celebrating the Sacrament of Matrimony at The Cathedral of Our Lady of Walsingham is to register for a Sacrament of Matrimony orientation which is held each 3rd Monday of the month at 6:30pm in St. Jude Hall. You will meet with our Coordinator of Liturgical Events, Marriage Formation Coordinators and Sacramental Records Administrator, who will guide you through the 6-9 month process.
You will complete the following 3 distinct and sequential phases:Phase I - Establish Freedom to Marry (1 month)
To establish your freedom to marry, the following documents must be obtained, completed, and submitted by the bride and groom. These documents will be reviewed and upon approval the wedding date may be set. During phase I you will meet with Clergy and the Sacramental Records Administrator.Preliminary Wedding Information Form
Prenuptial Questionnaire-Clergy Meeting
Affidavits of Freedom to Marry
Permissions/Dispensations (if necessary)
Baptismal Certificate
Birth CertificatePhase II - Marriage Formation (6-8months)
We begin this phase with FOCCUS - Facilitating Open Couple Communication, Understanding and Study which is a self-diagnostic inventory designed to help couples learn more about themselves and their unique relationship. It is not a test nor is it meant to be a predictor of success or failure in marriage. It is an instrument to help couples name and work through issues before marriage.
The Catholic Church supports the methods of Natural Family Planning (NFP) because we respect God's design for married love. In fact, NFP represents the only authentic and organic approach to family planning available to husbands and wives because these methods can be used to both attempt or avoid pregnancy. Couples are required to complete NFP training prior to marriage.
We strive to offer an in-depth marriage formation in order to provide a solid foundation with which to begin your lifelong partnership. We utilize Witness to Love which is a unique virtue-based system of marriage formation which forms engaged couples for a sacramental marriage and fosters their transition into a welcoming community of faith before and after they are married.
During phase II you will meet with Clergy, Marriage Formation Coordinators and Mentor Couples.
Phase III - Wedding Day Plans
You will simultaneously complete phases II and III. Durng phase III, you will meet with our Liturgical Events Coordinator who will guide you through choosing Scripture readings, Hymns, rehearsal and reception details, wedding booklet as well as our policies and fees.
* If you would like to get married at the Cathedral of Our Lady of Walsingham, but are not registererd parisioners, we require a letter of permission from your parish pastor in order to officiate your marriage. Additionally, Establish Freedom to Marry (phase I) and Marriage Formation (phase II) must be completed in your home parish. Copies of all documents must be submitted to our Sacramental Records Administrator at least one month prior to the wedding date and regular progress updates must be given to our Marriage Formation Coordinators with your marriage formation being completed at least one month prior to the wedding date. You will complete Wedding Day Plans (phase III) with our Liturgical Events Coordinator.