Getting Married in the Catholic ChurchThe rite of marriage is but one moment, however significant, in the process of a marriage that begins before the rite and deepens and grows thereafter. In preparing couples for marriage, the Church focuses on both the rite and the process. In Catholic belief, Christ is at the center of married love; celebrated in the context of the Church and its faith tradition, marriage is understood as a covenant and an integral part of the journey of faith. So marriage in the Church is approached with great seriousness and deliberation. It is the responsibility of the pastor or other pastoral staff members appointed to help a couple discern their freedom and readiness to take this step. The Church requires a preparation period of at least six months prior to the wedding to explore the couple's readiness, to take care of necessary paperwork, and to ensure that the couple takes the time needed to prepare well. There are several components to the preparation process in the Archdiocese of San Francisco, and we can assist you through every step along the way. Engaged couples should secure a date for use of the church and begin this process before making commitments with caterers, reception facilities, etc. Documents Required for Getting Married in the Catholic ChurchMarriage celebrates the unbreakable commitment between a man and a woman who are free to make this mature decision in a community of believers. Certain documents are required to establish your sacramental status within the Catholic Church and your freedom from previous unions. Sworn statements attest to your understanding of Christian marriage and your willingness to live within the Church's vision of marriage. Permission from the Archbishop is needed when a Catholic prepares to marry someone of another faith; a dispensation is required for a Catholic to marry someone who is not baptized. Likewise, couples planning to be married in another Roman Catholic diocese need permission from the Archbishop of San Francisco. The documents needed for marriage are generally prepared in the local parish of the bride or the groom unless other arrangements are made. The marriage cannot take place without the following documents:
FOCCUS© Pre-Marriage InventoryCouples are asked to complete a pre-marriage inventory in consultation with the priest or deacon who will preside at the ceremony or with a delegated member of the pastoral staff. The couple's answers to a wide range of questions about various aspects of married life provide an opportunity for growth in self-understanding and mutual exploration of their relationship during the months before the wedding.
Marriage Preparation SessionsEngaged couples are asked to participate in an approved marriage preparation program such as an Engaged Encounter Weekend, a Saturday for Engaged Couples offered through the Paulist Center, or a similar process in their home parish or diocese. These sessions provide a valuable opportunity to focus on various aspects of married life, including the faith dimension. Couples must attend together. These programs fill up quickly, so you are encouraged to sign up immediately after setting the date for the wedding. For information and to register, call:
Residents of Other DiocesesCouples planning to be married here who reside in other dioceses are asked to complete the marriage preparation process prescribed by their home diocese. The required documentation for marriage is the same across all dioceses. Home :: Pastoral Team :: Sacraments :: Weddings :: Get Involved :: History :: Paulist Center and Bookstore ::
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The Old Cathedral of Saint Mary
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