What is Marriage?
The sacrament of holy matrimony comes about through a promise made by a man and a woman before God and the Church, which is accepted and confirmed by God and consummated by the bodily union of the couple. Because God himself forms the bond of sacramental marriage, it is binding until the death of one of the partners (CCC, 1625-1631). In order to marry in the Catholic Church, both candidates must be free to marry. This means neither candidate has been validly married before in the past. Widows, widowers and those who have obtained an annulment of their previous marriage are free to marry. Both candidates must be at least 18 years of age, and at least one of them Catholic.
The Catholic Archdiocese of Edmonton takes your marriage very seriously, and wants to help you as you begin this process. As such, Catholic marriage preparation is mandatory for marrying in The Catholic Archdiocese of Edmonton, and it is strongly recommended the marriage course be taken at least 4-6 months before the wedding date.
If you are planning on getting married in the near future and you require the Marriage Preparation
Edmonton Catholic Engaged Encounter is a weekend live-in marriage preparation program offered at Star of the North Retreat Centre in St. Albert. For more information visit ceewest.com or call 780-466-0090.
For more information about how to begin planning your wedding, please visit the parish or read Steps to Getting Married.
For more information, Please contact Parish Office at ambrose.au@caedm.com