Marriage
“He who finds a wife finds what is good and receives favor from the LORD.” (Proverbs 18:22)
In the Sacrament of Marriage, a man and a woman enter into a matrimonial covenant pursuant to which they establish a partnership for life ordered toward the good of the spouses and the procreation and education of their offspring.
All love comes from God, and all love reflects the love God has for His creations. The Sacrament of Marriage is, first and foremost, a sign and symbol of this love. The self-giving love two people offer to each other mirrors the love God has for men and women.
The couple, rather than the priest, act as the ministers of the sacrament. The priest merely serves as a witness during the Sacrament of Marriage.
The joy and mutual support of married love can be a source of strength to enable married people to serve others in a very powerful way. The couple’s love should spill out to their children and to those around them to become a source of life, hope and comfort for others. This is reflected in the blessing the priest often gives newly-married couples.
In order to be married in the Church of Saint Katharine Drexel, one of the parties should be a registered parishioner. Exceptions can be made for former parishioners, persons who have family members who are parishioners and persons who have received sacraments in our parish. If there are extenuating circumstances, our parish gladly will assist.
Wedding Guidelines
- Arrangements with our parish are to be made one year in advance and prior to making any arrangements for your reception.
- Weddings are scheduled Mondays through Fridays between 4:00 pm and 6:00 pm and Saturdays between 10:00 am and 2:00 pm, subject to other scheduled events.
- Please contact the parish office to schedule an appointment with our pastor to discuss details and specific preparation for this sacrament.
At this meeting, our pastor will conduct a required assessment to confirm your freedom to enter into marriage within the Catholic Church. The questions will deal with such matters as previous marriages, age, maturity, knowledge about marriage, intentions, etc. Often couples of different faith backgrounds decide to marry. There should be time devoted to discussing how each partner will contribute to the spiritual growth of the other and any children who might be born in their marriage. In instances where one or both of the parties to be married is under the age of 21, there may be a need to interview a parent or guardian to corroborate the statements which were made regarding maturity and readiness for marriage. Once our pastor determines that nothing made known to him would prevent the marriage from taking place within the Catholic Church, he will confirm a day and time for your wedding.
- Since marriage is a step recognized both by the Church and the state, it necessarily involves the completion of a standard set of forms. Accordingly, if you are a Catholic baptized or confirmed in a parish other than the Church of Saint Katharine Drexel, you must provide a recent baptismal certificate (dated no more than six (6) months before the wedding is to take place). First Communion and Confirmation certificates may also be required is not noted on the baptismal certificate reverse. All documents submitted will remain on file in the parish office as a permanent record. If you were baptized in a faith community other than Catholic, you will need a copy of your baptismal certificate. It will be returned to you after the appropriate information is recorded. Couples of different faith backgrounds need to apply to the Diocese of Camden through the parish for permission for mixed marriage or dispensation from disparity of marriage to celebrate a Catholic sacramental wedding. Lastly, the couple is responsible for obtaining a marriage certificate from the town clerk a few weeks before the wedding; such certificate must be given to our pastor.
- The Diocese of Camden requires that you attend a marriage preparation program prior to your wedding.
- Please contact the parish office for the name of our Music Director who will be able to provide the music for your wedding. If you choose someone else, please have him/her contact the parish office to discuss the music and the parish’s musical instruments and sound equipment. Fees for the services of the Music Director and a cantor, if any, and offerings should be discussed with the parish office.
- Usually a rehearsal is conducted the evening before the wedding. The time is set after consultation with our pastor. It is the couple’s responsibility to ensure that no one in the wedding party has used alcohol before the rehearsal or the wedding.