Marriage

Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her.

Ephesians 5:15

Introduction

At its most basic level, marriage is a union between a man and a woman for the purpose of procreation and mutual love and support.

In the Catholic Church, marriage is considered to be more than a natural institution. It was elevated by Christ Himself, in His participation in the wedding at Cana (John 2:1-11), to be one of the seven Sacraments. A marriage between two Christians, therefore, has a supernatural element as well as a natural one.

The ministers of the Sacrament of Marriage are the spouses themselves, because the mark - the external sign - of the Sacrament is not the wedding Mass, but the marriage contract itself. This does not mean the wedding license that the couple receives, but the vows that each spouse makes to the other. As long as each spouse intends to contract a true marriage, the Sacrament is performed.

The effect of the Sacrament is an increase in sanctifying grace for the spouses, a participation in the divine life of God Himself.

Marriage Preparation

If you want to be married at St. Matthew Church, please call the Parish Office at 313-884-4470. You will need to provide some basic information about yourself,  your fiance’, your parents, your faith life, and the date you would like to get married,  as well as your sacramental history at St. Matthew’s.

Sacraments should be celebrated in the parish in which your faith life is lived out. It is required that you be a registered, active, and contributing parishioner for a period of one year prior to your wedding.

You will need at least six months prior to your wedding to prepare for your marriage. Father Duane Novelly will take you through the process as he prepares you for your sacrament of Matrimony.

Opportunities to Strengthen Marriage

Marriage Encounter

The Worldwide Marriage Encounter (WWME) weekend is a positive and personal experience offering married couples an opportunity to learn a technique of loving communication they can use for the rest of their lives. It's a chance to look deeply into their marital relationship and their relationship with God. For more information, please contact Pat and Kelly Duda via e-mail at wwmedetapp@gmail.com, through their website at www.wwme-detroit.org, or call 888-322-9963. Sessions are held almost every month during the year at various locations in the area.

Retrouvaille 

(Pronounced retro-vi with a long ī)

A Lifeline for Troubled Marriages. “Retrouvailles” is French for “rediscovery” – the happiness of meeting again after a long time. Retrouvaille is the place where hurting couples can  find hope. Every marriage deserves the opportunity to survive, be healed and thrive as a covenant of life and love. For more information, call 800-470-2230 or through their website at www.retrouvaille.info. 

Information about both these organizations appear regularly in our parish bulletin, The Pulse.

Decree of Nullity (Annulment)

If you are seeking an annulment, please contact the Rectory Office at 313-884-4470 to make an appointment with Father Duane Novelly to review the annulment process as established by the Archdiocese of Detroit.