The sacrament and covenant of Matrimony

Question 282

What is the Sacrament of Matrimony?

The Sacrament of Matrimony is the Sacrament which unites a Christian man and woman in lawful marriage.

Question 283

Can a Christian man and woman be united in lawful marriage in any other way than by the Sacrament of Matrimony?

A Christian man and woman cannot be united in lawful marriage in any other way than by the Sacrament of Matrimony, because Christ raised marriage to the dignity of a Sacrament.

Question 284

Can the bond of Christian marriage be dissolved by any human power?

The bond of Christian marriage cannot be dissolved by any human power.

Question 285

Which are the effects of the Sacrament of Matrimony?

The effects of the Sacrament of Matrimony are: 1st, To sanctify the love of husband and wife; 2d, To give them grace to bear with each other's weaknesses; 3d, To enable them to bring up their children in the fear and love of God.

Question 286

To receive the Sacrament of matrimony worthily is it necessary to be in the state of grace?

To receive the Sacrament of Matrimony worthily it is necessary to be in the state of grace, and it is necessary also to comply with the laws of the Church.

Question 287

Who has the right to make laws concerning the Sacrament of marriage?

The Church alone has the right to make laws concerning the Sacrament of marriage, though the state also has the right to make laws concerning the civil effects of the marriage contract.

Question 288

Does the Church forbid the marriage of Catholics with persons who have a different religion or no religion at all?

The Church does forbid the marriage of Catholics with persons who have a different religion or no religion at all.

Question 289

Why does the Church forbid the marriage of Catholics with persons who have a different religion or no religion at all?

The Church forbids the marriage of Catholics with persons who have a different religion or no religion at all, because such marriages generally lead to indifference, loss of faith, and to the neglect of the religious education of the children.

Question 290

Why do many marriages prove unhappy?

Many marriages prove unhappy because they are entered into hastily and without worthy motives.

Question 291

How should Christians prepare for a holy and happy marriage?

Christians should prepare for a holy and happy marriage by receiving the Sacraments of Penance and Holy Eucharist; by begging God to grant them a pure intention and to direct their choice; and by seeking the advice of their parents and the blessing of their pastors.

Consent, covenant, and enduring bond

Questions 282, 283, 284, 285, 286

A valid marriage between baptized persons is sacramental. The spouses' free consent establishes the covenant; consummated sacramental marriage cannot be dissolved by human power. A declaration of nullity does not dissolve a marriage but judges that a valid bond was absent from the beginning. Grace strengthens fidelity, unity, and family life.

Church law and mixed marriage

Questions 287, 288, 289

The Church regulates the marriages of Catholics. Mixed marriage is not described accurately today as simply forbidden: marriage with a baptized non-Catholic requires permission, while disparity of cult with an unbaptized person requires a dispensation for validity. The discipline addresses faith, children, and unity without denying the dignity of the other person.

Preparation without blame

Questions 290, 291

Unhappiness cannot be reduced to one moral failure or used to blame someone enduring betrayal or abuse. Preparation should examine freedom, maturity, faith, communication, permanence, fidelity, openness to children, finances, conflict, and safety, with sacramental preparation and pastoral help.

Matthew 19:3–9

Jesus places marriage within God's creative purpose and teaches against casually dismissing a spouse.

3 The Pharisees also came unto him, tempting him, and saying unto him, Is it lawful for a man to put away his wife for every cause? 4 And he answered and said unto them, Have ye not read, that he which made them at the beginning made them male and female, 5 And said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh? 6 Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder. 7 They say unto him, Why did Moses then command to give a writing of divorcement, and to put her away? 8 He saith unto them, Moses because of the hardness of your hearts suffered you to put away your wives: but from the beginning it was not so. 9 And I say unto you, Whosoever shall put away his wife, except it be for fornication, and shall marry another, committeth adultery: and whoso marrieth her which is put away doth commit adultery.

Ephesians 5:21–33

The passage begins with mutual submission and measures marital love by Christ's self-giving care for the Church.

21 Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God. 22 Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. 23 For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body. 24 Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing. 25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; 26 That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, 27 That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish. 28 So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself. 29 For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church: 30 For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones. 31 For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh. 32 This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church. 33 Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband.