Do my fiancee and I have an obligations regarding the parish where we choose to get married?

[lesliecarol]

My fiancee and I met in college, worked for a year after we graduated, and now are both back in school pursuing 2nd degrees. Throughout the time we have known each other, we have each lived in 3 different cities (all within the same metropolitan area) and because of all this moving around, neither of us has yet joined a parish. I have heard that Catholics are supposed to get married in the parish where they are members. (After hearing that, I did some research and found Canon 1115, which seems to be addressing this, but that is all I could find on the matter.) In our particular situation, do we have any obligations as far as where we get married?

 

[Fr.Vincent_Serpa]

Dear friend,

Usually, the marriage is celebrated in the parish of the bride. I advise you to register in a parish right away. If you chose to get married in another parish, the parish in which you are registered does the basic paper work and gives permission to the couple to marry in another parish–if that parish is willing.

Parishes with especially beautiful churches usually give first choice to their own parishioners who have been regularly supporting that parish. It’s only fair.

But remember what is most important: GOD who is calling you together, the sacredness of the commitment, the honor of receiving children from Him and the fervent hope that your marriage will eventually unite the two of you and your offspring to Him forever in heaven.

Everything else is secondary for those who see their marital vocation as a response to His sacrificial love. You are in my prayers.

Fr. Vincent Serpa, O.P.