When two baptized people, one man and one woman, enter into marriage they bestow upon each other a Sacrament. For each of the other Sacraments the ordinary Minister is the Bishop, Priest, or Deacon. But in marriage the Bishop, Priest or Deacon is the Church’s witness of the Sacrament which the bride and groom bestow on each other.

What is a Sacrament? You could say that it is “an outward sign instituted by Christ to give grace.” or “a sign which does what it symbolizes.” And while those are completely true they seem a bit dry to me. I would say that a Sacrament is when God himself reaches down into our very selves and changes us and we are never the same again.

A sacramentally married couple is called to be a sign of the love between Christ and His Church in their love for each other. It is the Sacrament which gives them the grace to live out that calling.

A couple where one or both are unbaptized enters into what would be called a natural marriage rather than a Sacramental one. A natural marriage is recognized by the church. It is a blessing to those involved. It is a wonderful thing but it doesn’t convey the grace that the Sacrament does.

Catholics are required to be married in the presence of a Bishop, Priest, or Deacon. If they are not then the marriage is not only not a Sacrament but it isn’t even recognized as a natural marriage.

I am often surprised by the number of people who don’t know this. People who are close to me. People who have gone to church their whole lives. People who went to Catholic schools. Somehow these people were honestly unaware that this is required of Catholics.

If you are Catholic and in what we would tactfully call an irregular marriage then you shouldn’t be presenting yourself for the other Sacraments until it can be addressed.

If you find yourself in this situation I highly encourage you to contact me so that I can help you.

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