Matrimony is usually defined as marriage or the state of being married, and

sometimes as the ceremony of marriage. The word first appeared in Middle English
sometime in the 14th century. It enters English through the Old French word
matrimoignie, which comes from the Latin matrimonium. The root matr- is derived from
the Latin word mater, for "mother"; the suffix -mony refers a state of being, a function,
or a role.

Therefore, matrimony is literally the state that makes a woman a mother. The term
highlights the extent to which reproduction and childrearing are central to marriage itself.
As the Code of Canon Law notes (Canon 1055), "The matrimonial covenant, by which a
man and a woman establish between themselves a partnership of the whole of life, is by
its nature ordered toward the good of the spouses and the procreation and education of
offspring."

The Difference Between Matrimony and Marriage

Technically, matrimony is not simply a synonym for marriage. As Fr. John Hardon notes
in his Modern Catholic Dictionary, matrimony "refers more to the relationship between
husband and wife than to the ceremony or the state of marriage." That is why, strictly
speaking, the Sacrament of Marriage is the Sacrament of Matrimony. Throughout the
Catechism of the Catholic Church, the Sacrament of Marriage is referred to as the
Sacrament of Matrimony.

A sacrament, as we know, is an outward sign that confers an inner grace. In the

sacrament of Matrimony, the outward sign is the exchange of marital consent on the
part of a baptized man and a baptized woman. In other words the couple who are
getting married administer the sacrament of Matrimony to each other.
It is a covenant because it is a sacred agreement of a 100% commitment from both
contracting parties to support each other all the way in all circumstances. The relationship
the two parties is similar to that of Jesus and the Church.
It is a sacrament because it is a sign and manifestation of God’s infinite love. The outward
or sensible signs of the sacrament are the couple’s mutual exchange of vows and the
giving of the ring.

Gen 2:24
For this reason a man shall leave his father and his mother, and be joined to his
wife; and they shall become one flesh

Effects of Marriage: are closely connected with the purpose of the sacrament which are:
To develop husband and wife as Christians
To procreate and raise new people in the Church community
To proclaim the message of Jesus to the whole world

The effects of marriage are:

 The marriage bond
From a valid marriage, there arises a bond between the spouses. By its very nature, this
bond is perpetual and exclusive because the consent that spouses mutually give and
receive is sealed by God Himself. Thus, the marriage bond can never be dissolved.
(CCC1639-1640)
  Increase of sanctifying grace
Through their union with Jesus, the married couple get the special help of God for the
wisdom, patience and faith needed to face the problem, duties and responsibilities of
married life.

 Help for married partners to become better Christians

Married couples are the signs of God’s love. Every act of concern, intimacy, and giving
between husband and wife is grace by which God manifests His goodness
Matrimony is an unending source of the grace needed for the proper exercise of
the many functions of marriage—begetting and bringing up of children; mutual
exchange of love, fidelity, and comfort; and maintenance of the family.

Impediments to Matrimony are obstacles or restrictions imposed by the law of God or

the Church for the welfare of the society and for the protection of the matrimonial bond.
1. An existing marriage
2. Coercion
3. Below age requirements
4. Blood relationship
5. Close affinity
6. Holy Orders, solemn vows, simple vows
7. Disparity of worship
8. Legal relationship

The Rite of the Sacrament of Matrimony

Marrying couples are encourages to receive the Sacrament of Marriage in the context of a
Holy Mass so that the relationship between married love and the covenant that Jesus
made can become more manifest. The marriage rite takes place after the Liturgy of
the Word. The following takes place:

1. Introduction
2. Statement of Intention
3. Consent
4. Reception of Consent
5. Exchange of Rings

The Liturgy of the Eucharist follows the rite of marriage. After the Our Father, the bride
and groom are given the nuptial blessing. As newly weds, they receive communion and
are sent forth with God’s blessing.

How can you prepare yourselves for the commitment involved in the Sacrament of
Matrimony? The following are some suggestions:
1. be forgiving
2. Cultivate friendships
3. Communicate
4. Practice self-control
5. Cultivate patient love
  THE THREE GOODS OF MARRIAGE
The expression "goods" (or "bona") of marriage originated with St. Augustine, one of the
leading figures in the history of western thought.
St. Augustine, in his early Catholic years, he defended the greatness and dignity of
marriage against the pessimism of the Manicheans, who held material creation, including
the human body (and therefore also sexuality and marriage), to be evil.

Later on he combatted an error at the other extreme: the pseudo-optimism of the

Pelagians who denied the presence of any disordered and selfish element in sexuality,
and therefore ignored the importance of married chastity and the need for the grace of
God in order to live it.

In his writings, we find constant insistence that marriage is good because of three
fundamental values or "goods". He says: "Let these nuptial goods be the objects of
our love: offspring, fidelity, the unbreakable bond". Let these nuptial goods be praised
in marriage by him who wishes to extol the nuptial institution“ The three "bona" are
essential properties which distinguish the marital covenant from any other type of
relationship between two persons. "This is the goodness ["bonum"] of marriage, from
which it takes its glory: offspring, chaste fidelity, unbreakable bond"

1. Offspring (children). The (potential) fruitfulness of the union (procreativity or the

openness to having children). "A child does not come from outside as something added
on to the mutual love of the spouses, but springs from the very heart of that mutual giving,
as its fruit and fulfilment" (CCC 2366).

The fruitfulness of conjugal love extends to the fruits of the moral, spiritual, and
supernatural life that parents hand on to their children by education. Parents are the
principal and first educators of their children. In this sense the fundamental task of
marriage and family is to be at the service of life. Spouses to whom God has not granted
children can nevertheless have a conjugal life full of meaning, in both human and
Christian terms. Their marriage can radiate a fruitfulness of charity, of hospitality, and of
sacrifice.

2. Chaste Fidelity. The exclusive fidelity of the marital relationship (one man with one
woman: the "bonum fidei") Many people today are suspicious of an exclusive
relationship. And yet everyone wants to be someone very special in someone else's eyes.
Hence arises the good or value of the "bonum fidei", the commitment to a faithful and
exclusive love in marriage.

3. Unbreakable Bond. The permanence of the relationship (the unbreakable character or

indissolubility of the marital bond: the "bonum sacramenti"). Many people today are
suspicious of binding themselves for ever. And nevertheless that is what love aspires
after: "I'll love you for always". "Love seeks to be definitive; it cannot be an arrangement
'until further notice" (CCC 1646).

Unbreakable bond is when there is acceptance of a permanent bond of love, one enjoys
the goodness of knowing one is entering a stable home or haven, that one's
"belonging" to another - and that other's belonging to one - is for keeps. People
want this, and while they know that it will require sacrifices, it should be natural for them to
sense that the sacrifices are worth it. "It is natural for the human heart to accept
demands, even difficult ones, in the name of love for an ideal, and above all in the
name of love for a person“ –Pope John Paul II

No normal person wants to be just one of the wives or the husbands of another. No
normal person wants to be accepted as spouse on trial or just for a time. No normal
person marries positively excluding children.

 The “marriage debt” means that a married person is obliged, under penalty of
mortal sin, to give his (or her) married partner sexual intercourse whenever it is
reasonably asked for.

Lawful excuses for refusing: Adultery, sickness, drunkenness, insanity, non-support,

danger to an unborn baby.

Separation in a valid marriage is a mortal sin because - God said so.

To separate means to refuse the marriage debt

(mortal sin). A separated person is tempted to commit adultery or some other sin. Children
cannot be properly trained.

What is divorce?
Divorce, also known as dissolution of marriage, is the process of terminating a marriage
or marital union. Divorce usually entails the canceling or reorganizing of the legal duties
and responsibilities of marriage, thus dissolving the bonds of matrimony between a
married couple under the rule of law of the particular country or state.

Why is divorce and remarriage a mortal sin?

Because it is clearly against the law of God.

“Every one that puts away his wife, and marries another, commits adultery: and he that
marries her that is put away from her husband, commits adultery.” (Luke 16:18).

“A woman is bound by the law as long as her husband lives; but if her husband dies, she
is at liberty: let her marry to whom she will; only in the Lord.” (1 Corinthians 7:39).

What is adultery?
Sexual intercourse between a married person and someone to whom he (or she) is not
married.

What is cohabitation?
Cohabitation is when two people who are romantically involved choose to live together
without making the formal commitment of marriage. Cohabiting couples are typically
emotionally and sexually intimate.

Pope Francis’ quotes: Three words for married couples

Marriage is something so beautiful and so wonderful that we have to look after it,
because it is forever. And the three words are: 'May I?', 'Thank you,' and 'I'm sorry.'