Why Is Marriage Prep More Than Just THe WeDDING Day?

Congratulations on your decision to be married in the Catholic Church! You are about to embark on a beautiful sacramental journey. A Catholic wedding is more than just a single event. It is a sacrament, a sacred sign of your union rooted in the love of Christ. 

The Sacrament of Matrimony reveals a profound truth: your covenant is sacred, permanent, and a visible witness to God’s love for the world. 

This commitment shapes your life, your relationships, and your future. In short, marriage is never something entered into privately. It is a gift shared with the entire Christian community.

Because of this, when a couple contacts a parish to begin planning their wedding, it is common for the parish secretary, priest, or other staff to ask questions about faith background, parish membership, and other details that help guide the process. These questions ensure that your wedding is celebrated within the spiritual and communal life of the Church, where your marriage will continue to grow.

DO WE HAVE TO BE PARISHIONERS TO MARRY AT SETON?

Catholic weddings are ideally held in the parish of either the bride or the groom. In fact, the Code of Canon Law (Cn 1115) states that “marriages are to be celebrated at a parish where either of the contracting parties has at least a 'month-long residence.” However, the pastor or bishop can grant permission for a wedding to occur in another parish.

Marrying at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton. If you live within our boundaries but are not yet registered, we encourage you to begin attending Mass at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton and finding ways to become part of our community as you prepare for the sacrament.

CAN WE GET MARRIED IN THE CATHOLIC CHURCH IS ONLY ONE OF US is BAPTIZED CATHOLIC?

Yes. A Catholic can marry another baptized Christian. However, special arrangements or a dispensation may be needed to marry a non-Catholic or non-baptized partner. This will be explained when you meet with the parish priest or staff member. 

When two baptized persons marry, they vow to live a sacramental marriage within the Catholic Church. This is why the Church asks you to promise to baptize your children and raise them within the Catholic faith community.

If your fiancé is not a baptized Christian or a non-Catholic, we invite them to explore the OCIA process to enter into full communion with Christ and the Catholic Church. While this is not required for the marriage, it can deepen and enrich your shared faith journey as a couple.

Because Matrimony is a sacrament, baptism is a prerequisite for receiving it. Without baptism and entry into the Church, other sacraments cannot be received. The Church recognizes baptisms from different Christian denominations as valid. Also, it acknowledges marriages between any two baptized individuals, regardless of whether they are both Catholic at the time of the wedding.

Can we get married in the Catholic Church if one of us is divorced?

Yes, you may, as long as the previous marriage has been declared null or invalid by the Catholic Church through the Annulment Process or the former spouse has died. A statement of legal divorce is not enough for a couple to enter into another sacramental bond of marriage.

About the Annulment Process. Couples who were previously married can go through a process of annulment so that they can enter into a sacramental marriage through the Church. An annulment does not undo a marriage. It is a declaration that the previous marriage was not sacramental because something stood in the way of the couple freely entering into the covenant relationship in the first place. 

• Even if you are not Catholic and were married before an annulment in the Church is required.

• If you are Catholic and did not marry in the Church, you still must have that marriage reviewed and set aside.

The first step is to speak with Betty Kimbrough by calling 972-398-5402 or emailing her at bkimbrougheseton.org. She or another Advocate will help you through the process and make sure that the necessary steps are taken and documents are provided so that the diocesan marriage tribunal can consider your request for an annulment.

Can we get married in the Catholic Church if we’re living together?

We are happy to witness your marriage so that your living arrangements can be brought into harmony with God’s laws. While cohabitation in itself is not an impediment to marriage, we strongly encourage you to consider living apart during your engagement, which is a very critical time of discernment,  and it is of profound importance that your choice to marry is made with total freedom. The posture of freedom can be more readily achieved when a couple lives in separate households.

We recognize that situations in today's world may arise where it may be impractical to live separately. When that is the case, we urge couples to strive to live together chastely and to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation before their weddings.