Sacrament of Holy Matrimony
Matrimony is a Sacrament of Vocations. Marriage is an image of the marital union between Christ and the Church which was brought to fulfillment through His death and Resurrection (Eph 5.25-33). The exchange of marriage vows in the sacrament points to the union and sanctification of the married couple in the likeness of Christ’s union with the Church (Mt 19.3-6; Jn 2.1-11). Matrimony celebrates and witnesses the covenant of love between two people and symbolizes in that union Christ’s covenant of love for the church.
Matrimony is the Sacrament upon which the family is founded. Those who receive this great Sacrament become husband and wife. They receive grace to love each other and to raise up children to God. They are husband and wife until death.
All couples wishing to be married at St. Thérèse of Carmel must be parishioners and are asked to allow six to nine months to complete the marriage preparation program. Please call the parish office to make arrangements. 858-481-3232
In addition to several meetings with the Presider/Wedding team preparing you for marriage, the Diocese of San Diego requires a two-part preparation process. You must, at minimum, complete a Pre-Cana Workshop (which is offered through the Diocese of San Diego one Saturday or Sunday a month) and participate in either Evenings for the Engaged, an Engaged Encounter Weekend, or Pre-Marital Counseling. Additional preparation may be necessary depending on your circumstances.
The Presider/Wedding team working with you will provide registration forms for the preparation process and assist you in completing them. Registration for the evenings and weekends is often booked for months in advance. It is expected that you attend these events as soon as possible. A delay in completing these requirements could delay your wedding day.
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