Marriage celebrates two people

constantly touching one another

with the healing love of God in their lives.

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They seek to resolve any brokenness in relationship,

so creating a life of harmony and love.

Marriage is a unique human relationship. There is no other relationship which requires so total a commitment of one person to another. In fact, marriage is more than a relationship: it is a union, a communion, between a husband and wife. Without surrendering their individual identities, they form so close a partnership of mind and heart and body, that their life together is different from their lives separately. All their activity should be devoted to strengthening and deepening their union, their communion. There can be no growth unless both grow, no happiness unless both are happy, no real love unless it is mutual.

The Christian believes that marriage is a union between man and woman established by God the Creator as part of the eternal plan for the created world. The vivid description of the creation of the woman in Gen 2:21-23 reveals God’s intention that man and woman should complement one another, and live together in loving partnership. This story conveys how close was the union of the first human couple, which is presented as a model for marriage:

Therefore a man leaves his father and his mother and clings to his wife, and they become one flesh (Gen 2:24).

Marriage is God’s way of bringing new human persons into existence. Genesis 1:28 portrays the Creator addressing the first couple: Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth and subdue it. Man and woman are thus called to share in the creative love and work of God.

Marriage: a sacrament

All Christians recognise marriage as an important part of Christian life, but Catholics consider it a sacrament. We believe that Jesus raised marriage to a new level.

St. Paul calls Christian marriage a charism, that is, a special gift from God (1 Cor 7:7). Spouses are called to grow in holiness for themselves and for others. By trying to show Christ to each other, by caring for each other in every way, their marriage should help them come to know, love and serve God more faithfully. This is what we mean when we say that their salvation comes through their marriage. To be given care for each other’s spiritual welfare and final salvation is an awesome responsibility, but at the same time Christ provides them with the graces and helps they need to fulfil this responsibility.

It is the vocation of the couple, their call from God, the state of life in which they are called to work out their salvation.

Marriage is by appointment, please contact parish office sacramentslakes@bbcatholic.org.au for more information