As a ContractAs a Covenant

As a SacramentAs a Celebration and a Vocation

To explain marriage as contract and covenant

To identify the ends and properties of marriage

To help the students to understand fidelity in marriage

To thank God for the gift of love through the sacrament of marriage

Family Code of the Philippines:“ A special contract of permanent union

between man and woman entered into in accordance with law for the establishment of conjugal and family life. It is the foundation of the family and an inviolable social institution whose nature, consequences and incidents are governed by law and not subject to stipulations”

Author: Naturally, marriage must always be seen in reference to God as its author

Requirement: As contract, marriage requires the “will”

Through the free, mutual act of consent given, man and woman enter into the conjugal union

Contract: involves pledge, rules and penalties: focus is on the matter agreed on by the parties making the contract

Covenant: it centers on the persons; its motivation is love

Thus it is a love-covenant, which immediately brings into highlight the biblical dimension of marriage

Biblically:Covenant is the relationship between God

and man (Gen. 17:1) characterized by love, sacrifice forgiveness and faithfulness

ENDS OF MARRIAGE:1. The good of the spouses- fidelity and

openness to the fertility2. Good of the children

1. Unity or exclusiveness: enriched by the spouses faithfulness

2. Indissolubility or permanence: enriched by the spouses’ struggles for lastingness

3. Openness to fertility: enriched by fruitfulness in the married life

Christ raised marriage to a sacrament to make it essentially different from marriage as a natural institution

Biblical Foundation1. Jn. 2: 1-112. Mt. 19:33. 1 Cor. 7:94. Eph. 5:32

Sacrament is a sensible sign instituted by Christ to give grace

It is an efficacious sign of invisible grace

Basic Elements:1. The sign or its symbolic element (sacrament)2. The saving grace it provides (effect)3. The saving presence of Christ

Marriage as symbol It speaks of the basic

aspects of human existence: life and love

Christians have always accepted the symbolic element of marriage (marriage is natural institution and a sacrament)

Sign- element of the sacrament of matrimony: mutual gift and acceptance of each other

Pius XI: the valid matrimonial consent between man and woman as willed by Christ is a sign of grace (CC 1930)

Marriage as a Sign of the Saving Presence of Christ

The husband and wife become a reminder of the presence of Christ

Why? Because marriage would not be possible except

through, with and in Christ (CFC1990)

Marriage as Saving Grace

Effects of marriage: (1) indissolubility and (2) the grace of the sacrament proper to marriage

By the grace of the sacrament: marriage bond is further strengthened and the indissolubility of marriage receives new meaning

The couples were also strengthened and consecrated for duties and dignities

Validity of Marriage Valid marriage between baptized man and

woman is by that fact is a sacrament It must be held in the Church No valid marriage except the sacrament of

matrimony Through the sacrament of matrimony, the couple

receives grace for it is a channel of grace

Wedding ceremony- momentous event for the couple

Why?- fulfillment of their

dreams- final answer for

their longing to be one- a moment of

triumph- a moment of

gratitude- a moment filled with

emotions (joy and excitement)

Ceremony- the Church requires the submit themselves to the standard rite (liturgical form)

Why marry in the Church?- it is a requirement- a public declaration of their love-

commitment before Christ and his Church

Ministers: couple

Role of Church’s minister:- Expression that marriage is ecclesial reality- Witness

Celebrated within the mass- connection of

matrimony in the paschal mystery of Christ

Vocation- “calling”

Marriage is a call by God to come to a closer union with him and with His Church

- call to holiness- way to holiness

Vocation: a gift and a mission

Gift: a source of joy, a source of blessings a source of gratitude a source of grace for husband and wife

Mission: a source of challenges

1. A call to parenthood: quality of children2. A call to holiness3. A call to carry the cross