Reflections on a Summer of Weddings at OLP
This past summer, I had the opportunity to witness five weddings—all for people here at OLP! In the recent past, there’s often only been 2–3 parish weddings each year, so this was a big blessing, even though it made the summer a busy time.
Before the big day arrives, I meet several times with each couple to talk about the sacrament of matrimony (the church’s official name for this sacrament). Here’s an overview of what I share with them.
God’s Design for Marriage
Like all the sacraments, matrimony was given to us by God Himself. This goes back to the very beginning in Genesis, where God says to Adam and Eve, “Be fertile and multiply” (Gen. 1:28) and later explains, “that is why a man leaves his father and mother and clings to his wife, and the two of them become one body” (Gen 2:24).
Jesus confirmed the divine origins of marriage, quoting these passages (see Matt. 19:4-5), as well as blessing the wedding of the couple at Cana by turning water into wine (John 2:1-11).
These passages show the twofold purpose of matrimony: to unite the couple as one, and to allow for the procreation and raising of children. The Church believes that these purposes are linked by their very nature and cannot be separated without losing what marriage is.
Matrimony as a Living Sign
Like every sacrament, marriage points to a deeper spiritual reality. In this case, the couple themselves become a sign of the love between Christ and His people, as St. Paul reminds us in Ephesians 5:31-32.
Married love flourishes when it imitates the love of God—free, faithful, enduring, and fruitful. God loves freely, without condition; faithfully, without division; eternally, without end; and fruitfully, giving life. Each of these qualities is built into the vocation of marriage.
It’s also worth noting that unlike the other sacraments, the ministers of matrimony are the bride and groom themselves. While we often say, “Fr. So-And-So married us,” in truth, the couple confer the sacrament upon each other. The priest or deacon is present as a witness on behalf of the Church, and in the U.S., on behalf of the state as well.
Walking Together
While the Church proclaims the beauty of these ideals, she also knows that life is messy and people are imperfect. Some couples were never taught these truths, and others may not realize that Catholics are expected to have a Catholic wedding.
Still, the heart of the Church is to walk alongside people, offering healing and hope. Whatever a person’s story may be, a way forward is always possible. I am always glad to connect with anyone who wants to talk, ask questions, or receive support.
Fr. Joah Ellis
Pastor
