CATECHISM

Q. What is the Sacrament of Matrimony?
A. Matrimony is the Sacrament which sanctifies the contract of a Christian marriage, and gives a
special grace to those who receive it worthily.
Matrimony. The contract or agreement by which marriage is blessed and made holy and
pleasing to God.
Outward sign. The matter consists of the mutual giving up of the contracting parties to
each other. The form consists of the words and outward signs by which the man and
woman accept each other as husband and wife.
Effects. Increases habitual grace and helps parents to bear the burdens and difficulties of
the marriage state and bring up their children in a Christian manner.
Institution. It is not known exactly when this Sacrament was instituted, but it is
supposed by some to have been when, in speaking of marriage, our Lord said: ‘What
God hath joined together, let no man put asunder’. (Matt. 19:6) Others say it was raised to
the dignity of a Sacrament at the marriage-feast at Cana.

Q. What special grace does the Sacrament of Matrimony?
A. The Sacrament of Matrimony gives to those who receive it worthily a special grace, to enable
them to bear the difficulties of their state, to love and be faithful to one another, and to bring up
their children in the fear of God.

Q. Is it a sacrilege to contract marriage in serious sin, or in disobedience to the laws of the
Church?
A. It is a sacrilege to contract marriage in serious sin, or in disobedience to the laws of the Church,
and, instead of a blessing, the guilty parties draw upon themselves the anger of God. For a
marriage of a Catholic to be valid there must be present:
1. Either the Bishop or the Parish Priest, or another Priest duly delegated, and;
2. Two witnesses.

Q. What is a ‘mixed marriage’?
A. A ‘mixed marriage’ is a marriage in which only one partner is a Catholic.

Q. Does the Church encourage mixed marriages?
A. The Church does not encourage mixed marriages and considers them dangerous.

Q. Does the Church sometimes permit mixed marriages?
A. The Church sometimes permits mixed marriages by granting a dispensation, and under special
conditions.
Dispensation. An exemption or freeing from some law or duty.

Qa. What does the Catholic partner of a mixed marriage promise?
A. The Catholic partner of a mixed marriage promises to do everything possible to preserve the
faith and have all children of the marriage baptised and brought up in the Catholic religion.

Q. Can any human power dissolve the bond of marriage?
A. No human power can dissolve the bond of marriage, because Christ has said: ‘What God has
joined together, let not man put asunder’. Matt. 19:6
Human power. The power of man, like that used in a divorce court, which may be
allowed by the law of the land, but is certainly forbidden by the law of God.
Dissolve. To undo; to separate; to loosen.
Bond. Anything that binds or fastens together.