The Sacrament of Holy Matrimony

Congratulations and Welcome to the Sacrament of Holy Matrimony!


Holy Trinity and St. Stephen Parishes are excited that you have chosen one of our parishes to receive the Sacrament of Marriage. The Sacrament of Holy Matrimony is a sacred rite in the Christian tradition that signifies the lifelong commitment between a man and a woman, symbolizing the union of Christ and the Church. It establishes a bond of love, service, and mutual support between the spouses and is considered a grace-filled state of life. It is not something that is taken lightly or hurriedly.


The key aspects of the Sacrament of Matrimony include . . .


  • Sacred Rite: Matrimony is one of the seven sacraments recognized by the Catholic Church, representing a visible sign of God's invisible grace. 


  • Lifelong Commitment: The sacrament involves a lifelong covenant between the spouses, promising to love, support, and serve each other through thick and thin. 


  • Symbolic Union: It symbolizes the union of Christ and the Church, highlighting the sacred nature of marriage as a reflection of God's love.


  • Grace and Support: The sacrament provides the spouses with the grace to love each other deeply, to strengthen their unity, and to sanctify their lives together.


  • Purpose: Marriage is not just a personal union, but also serves the well-being of the couple, the procreation and upbringing of children, and the building of a strong family and community. 


  • Indissoluble Bond: In the Catholic faith, marriage is considered an indissoluble bond, meaning it cannot be dissolved.


  • Sacramental Nature: When two baptized individuals enter into a valid marriage, it is considered a sacrament, meaning it is not just a natural union but also a sacred act empowered by God. 


  • Witness to Christ's Love: The couple's love for each other is a witness to the love of Christ for the Church, demonstrating God's unconditional love. 


PREPARATORY STEPS IN PLANNING YOUR WEDDING:

  • Either the bride and groom or their family must be registered in the parish.
  • All weddings must be booked at least six months in advance of the preferred wedding date.
  • Weddings are scheduled at 1:00 pm on Saturdays or 5:00 pm on Friday.
  • Both parties must be free to marry.  If there is a prior marriage, an annulment must be obtained before a wedding can be scheduled.
  • Couples call to make their first appointment with Father Scardella as soon as the date has been set.
  • All canonical forms must be completed, including Witness Statements for both the bride and the groom.
  • The couple must obtain a New York State Marriage License before the wedding.  It must be issued more than 24 hours before the wedding and no longer than a month before the wedding ceremony.
  • At their second meeting, Father will help the couple choose the various options for their wedding, e.g., Matrimony within Mass or Matrimony outside of Mass, choices of readings and music, etc.
  • Two weeks before the wedding the couple will meet with Father to do a "walk through" of the ceremony.
  • The rehearsal is normally the evening before the wedding.
  • The stipend for the Church organist is $150.00, and a donation should be made to the parish church.


If you have any other questions, call Fr. Scardella at 315-598-2118.