The real Reason for Marriage in the Church?

[bwildman91]

Hi, I just joined this Catholic site, but my question is…

What is the reason for Catholics to be married in a Church? Why did we stop allowing the sacrament of matrimony outside in parks and such?

I’m sorry if the wording is a little off. I’m in a religion class right now, and this question came up but i believe my teacher is wrong in the way she answered. Before i was told that we are married in a church because it is the house of God, and now i’m being fed stuff about how being outside doesn’t allow people to listen to the liturgy b/c at times microphones may not work or the wind is strong. I know that cannot be the reason. Getting married is a special bond being celebrated between a man and woman. Yes, the liturgy is important, but the reason we are happy to be there is because the community gets to witness another couple raise a family and grow stronger in their faith in Christ.

 

[Carolinagirl411]

I was told that it was b/c of Christ’s presence inside the Church. He is present in the tabernacle and therefore the sacrament of marriage should also take place within His presence.

Protestants don’t hold to this of course b/c they feel His presence is everywhere. Like in the bible it says where two or three may gather I will be there…that is strongly paraphrased of course.

You can get written dispensation from the bishop in order to get married outside though… I love the atmosphere of the Church so I don’t mind the rule but my fiance has panic attacks whenever he enters a church building so I’m not sure what to do short of giving him a valium/xanax.

 

[Tantum_ergo]

Stop allowing matrimony outside?
I believe that Christian marriage had been celebrated in churches or other sacred places for many, many centuries. . .can you tell me when Christians celebrated matrimony ‘outside church’ except in extraordinary circumstances?

 

[Catholic4Christ]

Somebody correct me if I’m wrong…

I believe you would be mistaken in thinking that we “stopped” allowing marriage in parks, etc. I would be interested to know if the Catholic Church EVER performed licit marriage outside of a church without a dispensation.

As for why, I’m sure I can’t give you a perfect answer, but if matrimony is a sacrament instituted by Christ, why would you WANT to have it anywhere but within His abode? I just don’t understand the attraction of marriages outside of a church.

 

[bwildman91]

okay, well i don’t really know a lot of history of the church, but i was told that many years ago catholics were allowed to be married outside the church, but maybe thats not right either. I guess i’m just looking for a little more information on this.

 

[Tantum_ergo]

Well, you need to ask whoever ‘told’ you to support what they said with documentation; otherwise, you’re asking us to show you ‘why’ we no longer do something that you haven’t proven we ever did in the first place!

 

[Rawb]

It is proper that Sacraments take place in Sacred Space, ie a Catholic Church.

Marriage is a Sacrament. Therefore, it takes place in a Church.

 

[brigid12]

Protestants don’t hold to this of course b/c they feel His presence is everywhere. Like in the bible it says where two or three may gather I will be there…that is strongly paraphrased of course.

Really, Catholics believe that His Presence is within all things (not in a Pelagian way) also, however He is present in the Blessed Sacrament in a different and more special way. His Presence there is sacramental and therefore it is only right and fitting to celebrate another sacrament, that of marriage, near Him.

 

[thistle]

Hi, I just joined this Catholic site, but my question is…

What is the reason for Catholics to be married in a Church? Why did we stop allowing the sacrament of matrimony outside in parks and such?

I’m sorry if the wording is a little off. I’m in a religion class right now, and this question came up but i believe my teacher is wrong in the way she answered. Before i was told that we are married in a church because it is the house of God, and now i’m being fed stuff about how being outside doesn’t allow people to listen to the liturgy b/c at times microphones may not work or the wind is strong. I know that cannot be the reason. Getting married is a special bond being celebrated between a man and woman. Yes, the liturgy is important, but the reason we are happy to be there is because the community gets to witness another couple raise a family and grow stronger in their faith in Christ.

Canon Law:

Can. 1118 §1 A marriage between catholics, or between a catholic party and a baptised non-catholic, is to be celebrated in the parish church. By permission of the local Ordinary or of the parish priest, it may be celebrated in another church or oratory.

§2 The local Ordinary can allow a marriage to be celebrated in another suitable place.

§3 A marriage between a catholic party and an unbaptised party may be celebrated in a church or in another suitable place

 

[Chatter163]

You can get written dispensation from the bishop in order to get married outside though… I love the atmosphere of the Church so I don’t mind the rule but my fiance has panic attacks whenever he enters a church building so I’m not sure what to do short of giving him a valium/xanax.

Hmmm, from what you described, **I **am sure what needs to be done… :tsktsk:

 

[allaussie]

I know that in the middle ages the marriage ceremony was usually performed on the steps of the church and then once they were married the couple and their witnesses came inside to hear mass. I know I read the reasoning behind this but I can’t remember it now.

 

[puzzleannie]

Hi, I just joined this Catholic site, but my question is…

What is the reason for Catholics to be married in a Church? Why did we stop allowing the sacrament of matrimony outside in parks and such?

t.

the church or oratory or other sacred space, even a chapel in a private home, has always been the location for the sacrament so we did not “stop” any former practice.

Marriage is a sacrament of the Church, it is public therefore, and a matter involving the whole Church, not merely the bride and groom and their families, therefore it is done in a public place. It is done in a sacred place because it is a sacrament, it is liturgy, an act of worship. It is not entertainment, it is governed by sacramental rite, requires proper matter and form, and is governed therefore by canon law on liturgy, not by personal preference. Worship is conducted in sacred spaces set apart for worship, so that is why, except in extreme, necessary and exceptional circumstances, the sacrament is celebrated in a church or oratory, specifically the parish church of either the bride or groom.

Yes, the liturgy is important, but the reason we are happy to be there is because the community gets to witness another couple raise a family and grow stronger in their faith in Christ.

liturgy is not merely one aspect, it is the central aspect, the community participates, not merely witnesses, liturgy, which is always the public act of worship of the Church.

Marrying a person who hyperventilates or has an anxiety attack in proximity with a church building does not bode well for a healthy Christian marriage in any case. Please get spiritual direction and pastoral care on this issue during your marriage preparation, and deal with the central problem, not the peripherals.

 

[Lisa44]

… I love the atmosphere of the Church so I don’t mind the rule but my fiance has panic attacks whenever he enters a church building so I’m not sure what to do short of giving him a valium/xanax.

I wouldn’t give him drugs, I would explore WHY this is occuring. You don’t want to pretend that isn’t happening.
Is it all crowded places or just a Church? He might have agoraphobia. (fear of having a panic attack in a crowed place).

If he only feels this in a church, then you really need to explore that.

 

[Deacon_Ed_B]

I am not sure if this is the answer you are looking for, but what I think you may be referring to are the marriages that took place in those areas where no priest was available. Celebrations were had for these “marriages” and when a circuit rider priest would come, they convalidated those marriages that took place. This was for those areas that only had a priest available once or twice a year or less. I think it is important for people to know that according to Catholic teaching, the priest or deacon does not marry the couple. All he does is witness the marriage as an official witness for the Church. The couple actually administers the sacrament to one another with the exchange of vows. This is where we differ from most protestant denominations where the minister says, “I now pronounce you man and wife”. Per Catholic teaching they are man and wife when the exchange of vows is completed.
Prayers & blessings
Deacon Ed B