“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.”[1]

God created the human race out of absolute and unwarranted love, a love that He has imprinted upon the hearts of every man and woman; a love that is foundational and innate to human nature and to human vocation. For, God who is love created out of love and so calls creation to grow in love into the likeness of God Himself, who as St. John tells us is love:[2]

Since God created him [humanity] man and woman, their mutual love becomes an image of the absolute and unfailing love with which God loves man. It is good, very good, in the Creator’s eyes. And this love which God blesses is intended to be fruitful and to be realized in the common work of watching over creation…in his preaching Jesus unequivocally taught the original meaning of the union of man and woman as the Creator willed it from the beginning…[t]he matrimonial union of man and woman is indissoluble: God himself has determined it “what therefore God has joined together, let no man put asunder.”[3]

St. Paul in his Letter to the Ephesians speaks highly of the dignity, beauty, and the great responsibilities of marriage, and most beautifully he states, “’For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and he joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.’ This mystery is a profound one, and I am saying that it refers to Christ and the Church.”[4] The sacrament of marriage is a living image of the love that Christ has for His Church and that the Church has for Christ:
           
By the Sacrament of Matrimony Christian spouses signify and participate in the mystery of unity and fruitful love between Christ and the Church; therefore, both in embracing conjugal life and in accepting and educating their children, they help one another to become holy and have their own place and particular gift among the people of God. Through this Sacrament the Holy Spirit brings it about that, just as Christ loved the Church and gave himself up for her, Christian spouses also strive to nurture and foster their union in equal dignity, mutual giving, and the undivided love that flows from the divine font of charity.[5]

It is in the union of husband and wife, and in the raising of children that the family exercises its privileged responsibility of proclaiming the Gospel, for in the home “one learns endurance and the joy of work, fraternal love, generous – even repeated – forgiveness, and above all divine worship in prayer and the offering of one’s life.”[6]

At St. Edwards, an engaged couple is required to schedule their wedding with a priest at least one year in advance. Please contact the parish office at [email protected] or 203-746-2200 to schedule an appointment to meet with our priests. Please note, a date cannot be set without first completing this initial meeting with the priest.

Weddings are not celebrated on Sundays at St. Edward’s.

For additional marriage preparation information, follow the link below:

Marriage Prep Guide

Click the button for our comprehensive 

Wedding Liturgy Ceremonial Guide

To register for the diocesan sponsored Marriage Preparation Class, follow the link below:

Diocese of Bridgeport