“The Joy of Love experienced by families is also the joy of the Church.”
Pope Francis Amoris Laetitia, no.1
Because it allows his people to share in his work, Marriage is a true gift from God. Through their service to one another, their family and the world, married couples seek holiness. The Catholic vision of marriage is rooted in Sacred Scripture and is expressed in the teachings and practices of the Church. It has these main elements:
- Marriage unites a couple in faithful and mutual love.
- Marriage opens a couple to giving life.
- Marriage is a way to respond to God’s call to holiness.
- Marriage calls the couple to be a sign of Christ’s love in the world.
Marriage is a serious and sacred commitment. This union of a man and woman is the basic unit of human society and of the Church. In this unique relationship, two persons make a solemn commitment to be totally for the other. Therefore, it deserves the most careful attention and preparation. Every marriage shares in God the Father’s creative love as an image of the Holy Trinity.
For couples looking to celebrate a wedding
Congratulations on your engagement! We would be thrilled to celebrate your wedding at our church. But first, you’ll need to meet with a priest. Please contact us at least one year before your desired date of marriage, whether being married at St. Joseph Church or elsewhere. Couples may be asked to complete a Marriage Preparation Course or obtain various documents before the wedding can proceed and that work can take time. Not sure about a date? No problem! We can begin the preparation work so everything will be ready for when a date is figured out.
Who can get married at St. Joseph Church?
Any couple living in the area served by St. Joseph Church and where at least one is a Baptized Catholic can potentially get married at St. Joseph Church. If one or more members of the engaged couple have been previously married, there may be some extra steps to work through, but marriage here is still a possibility. Couples who neither live in the area of St. Joseph Church or worship here regularly may need to connect with their own priest first.
For couples wishing to have a marriage blessed
The Catholic Church warmly welcomes couples who wish to have their marriage recognized and blessed as a Sacrament through a ritual called ‘Convalidation’. Convalidation is a beautiful opportunity for married couples whose unions are not yet recognized by the Church to receive the grace of the Sacrament of Marriage. At least one partner must be Catholic, and the marriage must meet the Church’s requirements for convalidation.
There are many reasons why couples may have married outside the Church. Choosing to have your marriage convalidated is a powerful witness of God’s grace at work in your lives. It is a step toward deeper unity with each other and with the Church. This is more than a simple blessing or renewal of vows; it’s a new act of consent between spouses, celebrated within the Church as a true sacrament.
