Sacrament of Marriage

Fr. Thomas Richstatter, OFM, explores the religious and sacramental dimensions of the love between a husband and wife. He explains how the Catholic wedding came to be, the covenant we make with God through the sacrament of matrimony, and what makes a good Catholic marriage. This Catholic Update is perfect for use in marriage preparation courses.

“In each of the sacraments, a window opens and offers a glimpse of the mystery of God and God’s plan for the salvation of the world. In Christian marriage, we see that God was not content to be alone but embarked on a whole new life project. Out of love, God created us and all that is. God is faithful no matter what. Whether we are faithful or faithless, God is faithful; whether we wander away in sin or remain in the embrace of love, God is always there and is ever ready to embrace us. This sacramental sign, which the husband and wife give to each other, they also give to the entire community of witnesses. Our human lives are interconnected, like a fabric, woven together by many commitments. The fidelity of the commitment of husband and wife should strengthen our own commitments.”

Updated in 2018.