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Holy Marriage

The Sacrament of Matrimony, also known as the Sacrament of Holy Marriage, is known as the “Primordial Sacrament”, that is, existing from before the world of time, in the world of the Garden of Eden.  The Sacrament of Matrimony is a gift from God to Adam and Eve. Marriage is ordered and defined by God. The Sacrament of Matrimony is celebrated when one man and one woman freely consent to give themselves to one another in a mutually exclusive way. This “gift giving” is for the mutual sharing of life and love as husband and wife. The marriage of Christian man and woman reflects Jesus Christ’s total gift of self for the life of the Church, for the life of the world. In the Sacrament of Matrimony, husband and wife give consent and exchange vows that bind them one to another in a lifelong commitment of fidelity, life and love. They become a new creation in Jesus Christ, as they manifest the “one flesh union – They are no longer two, but one flesh” (Genesis 1).  Their union is a reflection of God’s unwavering faithfulness and love to the human family from before the beginning of time. The expectation is the “one flesh union” of marriage will be “fruitful” for the man and woman helping them to become fully who it is that God has created them to become. Married life naturally finds its fulfillment in family life. For this reason, married life is not only the fulfillment of the vocations of husband and wife, but also the vocations of father and mother.


Matrimony Preparation

Entering into the Sacrament of Matrimony is obviously a significant step in one’s life. The Catholic Church normally requires a minimum of six months of preparation and formation before the celebration of the sacrament. Proper formation and education for the Sacrament of Matrimony is necessary to ensure that the marital union will be sustained for a lifetime. Contact the Parish office 419-435-6692 to initiate the preparation process. Couples must meet with the Pastor or Deacon of Saint Wendelin before a wedding date is scheduled at the parish. At this meeting the Pastor or the Deacon must determine whether the couple is free to marry according to Canon (Church) Law. Visit http://www.foryourmarriage.org for more information from the United States Catholic Conference of Bishops.


Documents to Help in the Marriage Preparation Process

Saint Wendelin Guidelines for the Order of Celebrating Matrimony

Diocesan Wedding Music Guidelines (2018)

Wedding Music Suggestions (revised 2021)