Catechism index

1621 II. The Celebration of Marriage 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. …
1622 II. The Celebration of Marriage "Inasmuch as it is a sacramental action of sanctification, the liturgical celebration of marriage . . . must be, per se, valid, worthy, and fruitful." 123 It is therefore appropriate for the …
1623 II. The Celebration of Marriage In the Latin Church, it is ordinarily understood that the spouses, as ministers of Christ's grace, mutually confer upon each other the sacrament of Matrimony by expressing their consent before the Church. …
1624 II. The Celebration of Marriage The various liturgies abound in prayers of blessing and epiclesis asking God's grace and blessing on the new couple, especially the bride. In the epiclesis of this sacrament the spouses receive the …
1625 III. Matrimonial Consent The parties to a marriage covenant are a baptized man and woman, free to contract marriage, who freely express their consent; "to be free" means: - not being under constraint; - not …
1626 III. Matrimonial Consent The Church holds the exchange of consent between the spouses to be the indispensable element that "makes the marriage." 125 If consent is lacking there is no marriage.
1627 III. Matrimonial Consent The consent consists in a "human act by which the partners mutually give themselves to each other": "I take you to be my wife" - "I take you to be my husband." …
1628 III. Matrimonial Consent The consent must be an act of the will of each of the contracting parties, free of coercion or grave external fear. 128 No human power can substitute for this consent. 129 …
1629 III. Matrimonial Consent For this reason (or for other reasons that render the marriage null and void) the Church, after an examination of the situation by the competent ecclesiastical tribunal, can declare the nullity of …
1630 III. Matrimonial Consent The priest (or deacon) who assists at the celebration of a marriage receives the consent of the spouses in the name of the Church and gives the blessing of the Church. the …
1631 III. Matrimonial Consent This is the reason why the Church normally requires that the faithful contract marriage according to the ecclesiastical form. Several reasons converge to explain this requirement: 132 - Sacramental marriage is a …
1632 III. Matrimonial Consent So that the "I do" of the spouses may be a free and responsible act and so that the marriage covenant may have solid and lasting human and Christian foundations, preparation for …
1633 III. Matrimonial Consent In many countries the situation of a mixed marriage (marriage between a Catholic and a baptized non-Catholic) often arises. It requires particular attention on the part of couples and their pastors. A …
1634 III. Matrimonial Consent Difference of confession between the spouses does not constitute an insurmountable obstacle for marriage, when they succeed in placing in common what they have received from their respective communities, and learn from …
1635 III. Matrimonial Consent According to the law in force in the Latin Church, a mixed marriage needs for liceity the express permission of ecclesiastical authority. 135 In case of disparity of cult an express dispensation …
1636 III. Matrimonial Consent Through ecumenical dialogue Christian communities in many regions have been able to put into effect a common pastoral practice for mixed marriages. Its task is to help such couples live out their …
1637 III. Matrimonial Consent In marriages with disparity of cult the Catholic spouse has a particular task: "For the unbelieving husband is consecrated through his wife, and the unbelieving wife is consecrated through her husband." 138 …
1638 IV. The Effects of the Sacrament of Matrimony "From a valid marriage arises a bond between the spouses which by its very nature is perpetual and exclusive; furthermore, in a Christian marriage the spouses are strengthened and, as it were, …
1639 IV. The Effects of the Sacrament of Matrimony The consent by which the spouses mutually give and receive one another is sealed by God himself. 141 From their covenant arises "an institution, confirmed by the divine law, . . . …
1640 IV. The Effects of the Sacrament of Matrimony Thus the marriage bond has been established by God himself in such a way that a marriage concluded and consummated between baptized persons can never be dissolved. This bond, which results from …