CATHOLIC PARISH OF SAINT MARY AND SAINT AUGUSTINE, STAMFORD
01780 762010
office.catholicstamford@dioceseofnottingham.uk
Weddings
Marriage
Marriage is for the good of the individuals and of society as a whole. Thus, it is part of the order of God’s Creation for all humanity. Between a baptised man and woman, the institution of marriage was raised by Christ the Lord to the level of a sacrament. That means it is an action of Jesus Himself and in marriage we receive His grace to live out our marriage and family lives.
The Purposes of Marriage
Unity: Marriage is between one man and one woman. A husband and wife have a legitimate claim to each other’s time and affection. There must be mutual trust and commitment in an exclusive relationship founded on love.
Indissolubility: At the wedding ceremony you take vows “till death do us part”. Christ taught that marriage is for life and the Catholic Church upholds His teaching.
1. Please do not make commitments, for example booking a reception venue, until you have spoken to the priest and established that you are able to marry in church on the date you want.
2. You must give the priest at least six months’ notice of your intention to marry.
3. You need to complete certain documentation giving evidence that you are baptised and free to marry, i.e. neither of you are in a marriage which is still existing in the eyes of the Church.
4. You need to attend a marriage preparation course – the priest will give you details when you make your first appointment with him.
5. You need to comply with the civil requirements for a marriage. It is your responsibility to obtain the Marriage Schedule from the local registry office. The wedding cannot take place without this.
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What God has joined together, let no man put asunder,
Matthew 19:6
Matthew 19:6
The Purposes of Marriage
There are two inherent purposes of marriage: the mutual welfare and support of the couple, and the procreation and upbringing of children. To be a valid marriage, the couple cannot deliberately exclude either of these purposes. Marriage is about love – you must be certain that is the man/woman whom you want to spend the rest of your life with. Marriage is also about openness to receiving children as a gift from God. The physical relationship between a couple is something beautiful and precious – but to be reserved for marriage so children can be brought up in a loving and stable home.
The Properties of Marriage
Unity: Marriage is between one man and one woman. A husband and wife have a legitimate claim to each other’s time and affection. There must be mutual trust and commitment in an exclusive relationship founded on love.
Indissolubility: At the wedding ceremony you take vows “till death do us part”. Christ taught that marriage is for life and the Catholic Church upholds His teaching.
These are difficult commitments to make. That is why we need the grace of the sacrament and the strength gained from living a Christian life. A marriage celebrated after proper prayer and preparation and in accordance with the teaching of the Church, is the most beautiful state of life and something which brings life and true joy to this world and contributes towards the eternal happiness of the whole family. A good Christian family is at the heart of all parish life.
Qualifying Connections
Couples looking to get married in the Church of St Mary and St Augustine should have what's called a qualifying connection to the Church. This means that the Catholic partner fulfills one of the following:
1. You live within the Parish of St Mary and St Augustine.
2. You regularly attend Mass at St Mary and St Augustine and have done so for more than six months.
3. Your Parents reside in the Parish and have done so for more than six months.
4. You were baptised and/or confirmed at St Mary and St Augustine.
1. You live within the Parish of St Mary and St Augustine.
2. You regularly attend Mass at St Mary and St Augustine and have done so for more than six months.
3. Your Parents reside in the Parish and have done so for more than six months.
4. You were baptised and/or confirmed at St Mary and St Augustine.
Preparation for Marriage
1. Please do not make commitments, for example booking a reception venue, until you have spoken to the priest and established that you are able to marry in church on the date you want.
2. You must give the priest at least six months’ notice of your intention to marry.
3. You need to complete certain documentation giving evidence that you are baptised and free to marry, i.e. neither of you are in a marriage which is still existing in the eyes of the Church.
4. You need to attend a marriage preparation course – the priest will give you details when you make your first appointment with him.
5. You need to comply with the civil requirements for a marriage. It is your responsibility to obtain the Marriage Schedule from the local registry office. The wedding cannot take place without this.
Frequently Asked Questions
What if one of us has been married before?
If either of you have been married before and your partner is still living, you should discuss the details with the priest. For a Church wedding both parties must be free to marry – i.e. not be in a marriage that still exists in the eyes of the Church. However, it can be worth exploring whether there was, in fact, a valid marriage in the first place (This is a thorough process that will take some time).
What if you want to marry a non-Catholic or a non-Christian?
In principle, this is not a problem. A Catholic should get married in a Catholic church unless permission is received to marry elsewhere. Obviously, the two of you must discuss your respective beliefs and how these will impact on your marriage and future family. As our faith is a precious gift, the Catholic partner promises to do all they can within the unity of the marriage to continue practising their faith and to share that faith with any children through having them baptised and brought up as Catholics.
Please click on the below link for our Parish contact details.