VOCATION TO CONSECRATED A religious vocation is a

VOCATION TO CONSECRATED

A religious vocation is a special grace that God gives to certain persons, calling them to a life of the evangelical counsels – poverty, chastity

Religious sisters and brothers manage hospitals, orphanages, homes for the elderly, schools, etc.

THE VERY MISSION OF A PRIEST IS TO RE-PRESENT JESUS.

The Sacrament of Matrimony

Luke 1: 26 -38 … In the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a town of Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph, of the house of David, and the virgin's name was Mary. Matthew 1: 18 -25 … Now this is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about. When his mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found with child through the holy Spirit. Joseph her husband, since he was a righteous man, yet unwilling to

Luke 2: 39 -52 … Each year his parents went to Jerusalem for the feast of Passover, and when he was twelve years old, they went up according to festival custom … Familiaris Consortio by Pope John Paul II … “The family is the first and fundamental school of social living: as a community of love, it finds in self-giving the law that guides it and makes it grow. The self-giving that inspires the love of husband wife for each

There is a very big difference between wedding” and “marriage. ” Sadly more couples prepare more for the wedding than for the marriage.

Two Pictures of Marriage The Biblical View The Secular View God Wife Husband Wife This is the world’s concept of marriage–only a legallybinding contract between husband wife. Husband This is God’s concept of marriage–a God-created covenant uniting a man and a woman before Him for life. .

Marriage and Family is part of God’s plan.

The Wedding at Cana

Faith tells us that marriage is more than just a contract. It is a sacrament and a covenant.

Sacrament is taken from the Latin word “sacramentum” which has the same meaning as the Greek word “mysterion” which

Faith tells us that marriage is more than just a contract. It is a sacrament and a covenant.

A Covenant is a Serious Oath • Cutting animals was common in the Ancient Near East.

Cutting a covenant • An animal was cut / sliced and both parties would pass between the parts, signifying, “May I become like this animal if I don’t fulfill my promise…”

Rites of the Sacrament of Matrimony

Consent and Exchange of Vows • Consent must be freely given – Essential for validity – Must have sincere desire to be faithful to spouse – Must be open to new life, especially children • Presence of priest and witnesses expresses that marriage is a reality in the Church with certain rights and responsibilities • The priest questions both bride and groom separately on their freedom of choice – Then asks them to exchange their marriage consent (vows)

Matter and Form of Wedding Vows Celebrant: Dear _____ and _______, in the presence of the Church, may I now ask you to state your intentions. 1. ______ Have you come here freely and without reservation to give yourselves to each other in marriage? 2. Will you love and honor each other as man and wife for the rest of your lives? 3. Will you accept children lovingly from God, and bring them up accordingly to the law of Christ and his Church?

Blessing and Exchange of Rings • Rings do not have a beginning or an end • Symbolizes: – The eternal love God has for humans – The eternal commitment of Christ to the Church – The promise by the bride and groom to be faithful to one another until death

Wedding Symbols • The symbols in the Sacrament of Matrimony are the couples themselves. • Traditions: ü Rings-marriage agreement; eternity ü Candle-God’s presence within the union ü Veil-union of couple clothed as one ü Cord-infinite bond of marriage ü Coins- good luck; prosperity

I (name) take you (name) to be my husband / wife To have and to hold from this day forward For better, for worse In sickness and in health For richer, for poorer To love and to cherish Till death us do part In the name of the Father, and the Son and the Holy Spirit.