Title: The Definition of the Sacrament of Marriage or Holy Matrimony - St George Roman Catholic Parish, Apache Junction, AZ
Headings: The Definition of the Sacrament of Marriage or Holy Matrimony
The Definition of the Sacrament of Marriage or Holy Matrimony
337. What is the plan of God regarding man and woman?
338. For what ends has God instituted Matrimony?
339. How does sin threaten marriage?
340. What does the Old Testament teach about marriage?
341. What new element did Christ give to Matrimony?
342. Are all obliged to get married?
343. How is the sacrament of Matrimony celebrated?
344. What is matrimonial consent?
345. What is required when one of the spouses is not a Catholic?
346. What are the effects of the sacrament of Matrimony?
347. What sins are gravely opposed to the sacrament of Matrimony?
348. When does the Church allow the physical separation of spouses?
349. What is the attitude of the Church toward those people who are divorced and then remarried?
350. Why is the Christian family called a domestic church?
Compendium of the Catechism of the Catholic Church

Content: 1609-1611
God helped his people above all through the teaching of the Law and the Prophets to deepen progressively their understanding of the unity and indissolubility of marriage. The nuptial covenant of God with Israel prepared for and prefigured the new covenant established by Jesus Christ the Son of God, with his spouse, the Church. 341. What new element did Christ give to Matrimony? 1612-1617, 1661
Christ not only restored the original order of matrimony but raised it to the dignity of a sacrament, giving spouses a special grace to live out their marriage as a symbol of Christ’s love for his bride the Church: “ Husbands, love your wives as Christ loves the Church” ( Ephesians 5:25). 342. Are all obliged to get married? 1618-1620
Matrimony is not an obligation for everyone, especially since God calls some men and women to follow the Lord Jesus in a life of virginity or of celibacy for the sake of the Kingdom of Heaven. These renounce the great good of Matrimony to concentrate on the things of the Lord and seek to please him.