Marriage

Question 1

To have and… (when may it be used)

Answer 1

to hold from this day forward, when having a bad argument

Question 2

To love and… (when may it be used)

Answer 2

to cherish, on a special day e.g. a birthday or an anniversary

Question 3

For richer and… (when may it be used)

Answer 3

for poorer, when struggling financially

Question 4

For better and… (when may it be used)

Answer 4

for worse, when going through a difficult time (generally)

Question 5

In sickness… (when may it be used)

Answer 5

in health, when your partner is in hospital

Question 6

Till death…

Answer 6

do us part, when your partner may pass away soon due to something like a terminal illness

Question 7

What is the name given to the wedding promises?

Answer 7

Wedding vows

Question 8

What is the purpose of marriage?

Answer 8

Happiness, respect, commitment, growth and procreation.

Question 9

What is the symbolic significance of the rings?

Answer 9

Wedding rings symbolise eternal love and commitment within a relationship. This emblem of love is exchanged between two people on their wedding day and worn to show the world they are married.

Question 10

What other symbols might be used in a wedding ceremony?

Answer 10

• White
• Altar
• Vows
• Flowers

Question 11

What happens at the Homily and Readings?

Answer 11

The readings will take place after the welcome. These are usually about the nature of marriage and the importance of love. This is to remind the couple (& their guests) of the sacredness of the sacrament they are receiving

Question 12

What happens at the Vows?

Answer 12

This is the actual moment of the sacrament. It is when the bride gives the sacrament to the groom and the groom gives the sacrament to the bride in the promises.

Question 13

What happens at Acceptance and Consent?

Answer 13

The priest accepts the consent of the couple.

Question 14

What happens at the Rings and Blessing?

Answer 14

The rings are then blessed by the priest and exchanged with the words ‘Take this ring as a sign of my love and fidelity’.

The marriage ceremony ends with the blessing by the priest in which he will pray that God will make the marriage permanent, exclusive & life giving

Question 15

What is the Signing of the Register?

Answer 15

This is a legal requirement not religious. For this reason it is usually done away from the altar or in the sacristy of the church.

Question 16

What are the Seven Sacraments?

Answer 16

• Baptism
• Eucharist
• Confirmation
• Reconciliation
• Anointing of the Sick
• Marriage
• Holy Orders

Question 17

Define Baptism

Answer 17

A symbolic way of joining the Church from the very start of Christianity.

Question 18

Define Eucharist

Answer 18

The Christian service, ceremony, or sacrament commemorating the Last Supper, in which bread and wine are consecrated and consumed.

Question 19

Define Confirmation

Answer 19

A personal commitment to the faith that the baby was baptised into.

Question 20

Define Reconciliation

Answer 20

To say sorry for the wrong (sin) in their lives and to experience God’s healing through forgiveness.

Question 21

Define Anointing of the Sick

Answer 21

It is a blessing administered by a priest during periods of illness - often near the time of death - in order to bring the person receiving it spiritual and physical strength.

Question 22

Define Marriage

Answer 22

A public sign that an individual is giving themselves totally to another person.

Question 23

Define Holy Orders

Answer 23

The sacrament by which men are ordained as priests or deacons.

Question 24

Define Annulment

Answer 24

A court order that ends a marriage declaring that it was ‘null’ and ‘void’, essentially meaning that it didn’t exist.

Question 25

Define Divorce

Answer 25

A legal separation of the marriage partners.

Question 26

Define Separation

Answer 26

To stop living together as a couple.

Question 27

What does the Catholic Church believe about marriage?

Answer 27

The Roman Catholic Church does not recognise divorce. A marriage can only end when one partner dies or if there are grounds for an annulment. A couple may be granted a civil divorce and be divorced in the eyes of the state, but their marriage will continue ‘in the eyes of God’.

Question 28

What does the Church of England believe about marriage?

Answer 28

The Church of England does not advocate divorce but it is allowed if the marriage has truly broken down and cannot be repaired. Someone who is divorced can now remarry in an Anglican church.

Question 29

Why would the Church of England grant an annulment?

Answer 29

If the marriage is not ‘working out’.

Question 30

What are the conditions for a valid marriage?

Answer 30

• the couple must marry freely and without reservation
• they must love and honour each other for life
• they must accept children lovingly from God

Question 31

What are grounds for an annulment?

Answer 31

• Lack of capacity
• Lack of consent
• Lack of form

Question 32

What is Lack of Capacity?

Answer 32

Lacking anything that is required for him/her to be capable of marriage.

Question 33

What is Lack of Consent?

Answer 33

If a party’s understanding of marriage is radically different from the Church’s understanding of marriage.

Question 34

What is Lack of Form?

Answer 34

If he fails to obtain a dispensation and proceeds with a wedding apart from the Church.