Holy Matrimony
Matrimony is the sacrament by which a baptized man and a baptized woman bind themselves for life in a lawful marriage and receive the grace to fulfill their duties.
-The Baltimore Catechism
Whether you are engaged or about to be, we are thankful for your commitment to forming a lifelong bond in the sacrament of Holy Matrimony in the Catholic Church. Many couples who value beauty and tradition desire to have their weddings at Church of the Annunciation in the heart of downtown Houston, Texas.
Preparation for the Sacrament of Holy Matrimony and the Wedding.
Marriage Convalidation — We are in a non-Catholic union and want to receive the Sacrament of Holy Matrimony.
I would like to investigate if my previous union was a valid marriage (Declaration of Nullity)
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You are ready to be a sign of God’s love – The love between husband and wife shows the world how Christ loves His Church.
You are ready for a lifelong promise – In Matrimony, a husband and wife commit to stay together forever, loving and supporting each other no matter what.
You are ready to start a family - God calls married couples to be open to having children and raising them in love and faith.
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A man and a woman who are not already married can receive the Sacrament of Matrimony.
Their love must have the four pillars: free, total, faithful, fruitful.
These must be present because supernatural marriages mirror Jesus’ self-sacrificial love for His bride, the Church.
The Questions before the Consent & the Consent during Nuptial Mass ask these questions:
Free - Have you come here to enter Marriage without coercion; freely and wholeheartedly?
Total - Do you promise to be faithful to her/him in good times and in bad, in sickness and in health?
Faithful - Are you prepared, as you follow the path of Marriage, to love and honor each other for as long as you both shall live?
Fruitful - Are you prepared to accept children lovingly from God and to bring them up according to the law of Christ and His Church?
Listen to Jason Evert explain these pillars of Catholic Marriage
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In the Catholic Church, someone can receive the Sacrament of Matrimony in a church, chapel, or other Catholic sacred place.
The wedding ceremony is performed by a priest or deacon and is attended by family and friends.
The timing of the wedding can vary based on the couple’s preferences and the availability of the church.
Some couples prefer to get married during a Mass, while others choose to have a separate wedding ceremony.
The couple typically meets with the priest or deacon several times before the wedding to prepare for the sacrament and to ensure that they are ready for the commitment of marriage.
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If you have a passion for event planning and weddings, please consider serving as a Wedding Assistant.
Annunciation has a few people in rotation for helping out with weddings, and we are looking for more to alleviate the burden.
Main Job Duties
Running the rehearsal
Coordinating procession details
Make sure couples and clergy adhere to Annunciation Policies
You would first shadow 2-3 weddings, do 1-3 with guidance, and then start taking over yourself.
