The Sacrament of Matrimony
(1601) “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; this covenant between baptized persons has been raised by Christ the Lord to the dignity of a sacrament.”84
(1662) Marriage is based on the consent of the contracting parties, that is, on their will to give themselves, each to the other, mutually and definitively, in order to live a covenant of faithful and fruitful love. (1663) Since marriage establishes the couple in a public state of life in the Church, it is fitting that its celebration be public, in the framework of a liturgical celebration, before the priest (or a witness authorized by the Church), the witnesses, and the assembly of the faithful.
(1664) Unity, indissolubility, and openness to fertility are essential to marriage. Polygamy is incompatible with the unity of marriage; divorce separates what God has joined together; the refusal of fertility turns married life away from its “supreme gift,” the child (GS 50 § 1). (1665) The remarriage of persons divorced from a living, lawful spouse contravenes the plan and law of God as taught by Christ. They are not separated from the Church, but they cannot receive Eucharistic communion. They will lead Christian lives especially by educating their children in the faith.
1666 The Christian home is the place where children receive the first proclamation of the faith. For this reason the family home is rightly called “the domestic church,” a community of grace and prayer, a school of human virtues and of Christian charity.
Marriage Prep Program
Payment of $150 is made in church office, entitling you to the book “Marriage is for Keeps” (which you are to read and dialogue upon) and a receipt admitting you to all three-fold preparation program listed here.
Because Christian marriage is a sacrament, the Catholic Church wants couples to be well-prepared. Our Lady of Guadalupe Church offers marriage preparation to help couples develop a better understanding of the sacrament; to evaluate and deepen their readiness to live married life; and to gain insights into themselves as individuals and as a couple. The Sacrament of Marriage is a covenant, which is more than a contract. Covenant always expresses a relationship between persons. The marriage covenant refers to the relationship between the husband and wife, a permanent union of persons capable of knowing and loving each other and God.
For couples planning to marry at Our lady of Guadalupe Church please contact the office 6 months before your anticipated wedding date to begin the marriage preparation process: 661-323-3148.
Three-fold Preparation
1. Series of Six Weekly Classes:
Tuesday 7-9pm in St. Gabriel, 509 E. 11th Street. Please call the office at (661) 323-31-48 to register for series you will attend.
2. Life-Giving Love Weekend Workshop:
Saturday 9am – 6pm & Sunday 8am – 6pm (MUST attend both days) Held at OLG parish hall. Fill our registration form in the office (661) 323-3148.
3. NFP Series of 4 Monthly Classes:
NFP Series of 4 monthly classes: Ovulation Method “Family of the Americas” is taught by Juanita & Javier Rivera; Sympto-Termal Method “Couple to Couple League” (requires pin number ahead of time for materials) is taught by Francisco & Eva Arroyo or by Juan Pablo & Michelle Ayala. Classes are in St. Gabriel, 509 E. 11th Street. Please call the teaching couple to register for series you will attend.
- Juanita & Javier Rivera – (661) 487 – 0339
- Juan Pablo & Michelle Ayala – (661) 862-0497