In Holy Matrimony, a baptised man and woman freely give themselves to one another in a faithful and lifelong covenant. Their marriage becomes a sacramental sign of the faithful and fruitful love between Christ and his Church. The spouses themselves confer the Sacrament upon one another by exchanging their consent before the Church.
Marriage is therefore much more than a civil contract or a celebration of human affection. It establishes an exclusive and indissoluble communion of life and love, ordered towards the good of husband and wife and open to the gift of children. Through the grace of the Sacrament, husband and wife are strengthened to remain faithful to one another, to bear one another’s burdens and to help one another towards holiness.
The Ordinariate brings to Catholic marriage a rich inheritance of English Christian language and prayer. Divine Worship preserves elements of the historic Anglican marriage rite, now received and used within the Catholic Church. Couples wishing to marry are encouraged to approach the priest well in advance so that adequate spiritual and practical preparation can be undertaken and the necessary canonical requirements established.
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