Marriage
“The matrimonial covenant, by which a man and a woman established between themselves a partnership of the whole of life, is by its nature ordered toward the good of the spouses and the procreation and education of offspring; this covenant between baptized persons has been raised by Christ the Lord to the dignity of a sacrament.”
(CCC 1601)
“God who created man out of love also calls him to love – the fundamental innate vocation of every human being. For man is created in the image and likeness of God who is himself love. Since God created man and woman, their mutual love becomes an image of the absolute and unfailing love with which God loves man. It is good, very good, in the Creator’s eyes. And this love which God blesses is intended to be fruitful…” (CCC 1604)
In her article, “Two become one” Takes More Than Romance", Theresa Notare, PhD states that “Married love calls husband and wife to move out of the tight confines of their individual egos and blend their lives, hopes, dreams, and desires. Marriage requires that spouses share the unique gifts of their masculinity and femininity. The Church recognizes marriage as a vocation. It is a specific call from God to love in a nuptial manner, that is, in a way that builds the one-flesh union and is in service to life.”
In looking at the universal vocational call to holiness, marriage is a sacramental journey whereby both spouses assist each other through their self-sacrificing love for one another to achieve holiness in their lives. The intention of a sacramental marriage is that it will be forever (permanent), faithful (to each other), fruitful (life-giving and open to children), free (from outside pressure or compulsion), and fully given (without conditions or partially entered).
Though marriage is often an assumed vocation, it, too, should be discerned. The discernment process should not only be who, but also is this the right vocation for you. And this will only be the beginning of many decisions you will need to discern in your life together as Husband and Wife.
Interested in getting married in one of our four parishes?
Further Reading about Marriage and Married Life
For Your Marriage is a website that helps couples at all stages of life to understand and live God’s plan for happy, holy marriages by providing educational and spiritual resources. There are many great articles and blogs available. There is great information on this site for any stage of your life (Dating and Engaged, Married Life, Family Life and Parenting).
The Vocation of Marriage is a nice short article within the For Your Marriage website that speaks directly to what the Vocation of Marriage is about.
“Marriage: Love and Life in the Divine Plan.” is a pastoral letter approved by U.S. Catholic Bishops on November 2009. The letter presents the essential points of Catholic teaching on marriage as a natural gift, as a sacrament, and as a public commitment between a man and a woman. It also discusses several contemporary challenges to marriage and how the Church addresses those challenges.
Marriage Unique for a Reason is another great source of information as part as an initiative of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.
The Archdiocese of Milwaukee Vocation Page provides information about all four vocations