Published in the bulletin of Holy Ghost Catholic Church in Knoxville, TN, on the 23rd Sunday of Ordinary time.
My dear Parishioners,
Peace! The sacrament of Holy Marriage is treated by the Catechism of the Catholic Church in eight (8) In Brief passages. The following is a reflection on article 1663.
When many people think about a ‘public state of life in the Church’ minds race immediately to Monks, Nuns, Brothers, Sisters, Bishops, Priests and Deacons. These are in fact public states of life in the Church, but not the only ones. Marriage establishes the spouses in a public state of life in the Church. Husbands and Wives in Holy Marriage bear public witness not only by the rings they wear but by their faithfully living out the Holy Vows of Marriage.
While there have been reasons for Holy Marriage to be celebrated clandestinely (le droit du seigneur comes to mind) normally Holy Marriage is celebrated publicly. One reason for this is so that all will be able to join in prayer for the new couple. Another reason is to avoid scandal, otherwise, people would not know the difference between those who are viviendo en pecado (living in sin) and those who have received and are living the Sacrament of Holy Marriage.
Because of the dignity and importance of this sacrament, not only for the couple but for the Church and society, Holy Marriage is rightly celebrated liturgically. While there are three (3) different categories of Holy Marriage: Sacramental (two Catholics or two baptized Christians), ecumenical sacramental (a Catholic and a baptized non-Catholic spouse), interfaith (a baptized Christian and a non-baptized spouse) the liturgical rite always includes the proclamation of Sacred Scripture and the exchange of consent through the Holy Vows. Optimally, Catholics get married in the context of the Nuptial Mass, which allows the new couple to receive together the Body of Christ in Holy Communion, which strengthens them for the journey they have undertaken together. Then, each subsequent time they approach the Altar together to receive Holy Communion their bond with Christ and His bride Mother Church is deepened as is their bond with each other.
Specific for the validity of Marriage for Catholics is that the Holy Vows be exchanged and the sacrament celebrated before the Priest or qualified witness of the Church (cf. Code of Canon Law, Canon 1108). This ensures the integrity of the sacrament. Bishops, Priests and Deacons are the ordinary qualified witnesses of the Church, while in mission lands Catechists often fill this role due to the dearth of clergy.
To further ensure the integrity of the Sacrament of Marriage and it’s validity, Mother Church requires two further witnesses, who are often called the ‘best man’ and ‘maid’ or ‘maiden of honor.’
The gathered faithful, the assembly of the faithful, also play a role in the liturgical celebration of Holy Marriage. The participation of the congregation at a wedding is a pledge of prayer, not only for that day, but also for the long term, for the fidelity, health and well being of the couple.
God bless you!
Father John Arthur Orr