Marriage as a Sacrament

"Is marriage really a sacrament?"

3 Scripture passages2 objections answered2 Church Father quotes

The Short Answer

Marriage between a baptized man and woman is a sacrament that signifies Christ's union with His Church. It confers grace to live out the marriage covenant faithfully.

Quick Overview

When a Christian couple marries, they're doing more than signing a contract—they're receiving a sacrament. God pours out grace to help them love each other as Christ loves the Church. Their marriage becomes a living icon of divine love.

Biblical Evidence

What the Scriptures say

Ephesians 5:31-32

"For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother... This is a great sacrament, but I speak in Christ and in the church."

Why This Matters

Paul calls marriage a 'great mystery' (Greek: mysterion, Latin: sacramentum). Marriage images Christ's union with the Church.

John 2:1-11

"And the third day, there was a marriage in Cana of Galilee... This beginning of miracles did Jesus."

Why This Matters

Jesus' first miracle was at a wedding, signifying the importance and sacredness of marriage.

Matthew 19:6

"What therefore God hath joined together, let no man put asunder."

Why This Matters

Jesus teaches that marriage creates an unbreakable bond created by God Himself.

What the Church Teaches

Official Catholic doctrine

Christian marriage is a covenant by which a man and woman establish a lifelong partnership. It is ordered to the good of the spouses and the procreation of children (CCC 1601). Valid sacramental marriage is indissoluble.

Common Objections

Questions answered

Early Church Fathers

What the first Christians believed

St. Augustine

c. 400 AD

"In our marriages, the sanctity of the sacrament is of more importance than the fruitfulness of the womb."

— On Marriage and Concupiscence, 1:11

Tertullian

c. 200 AD

"How beautiful is the marriage of two Christians... One in hope, one in discipline, one in service. They pray together, fast together, teach one another."

— To His Wife, 2:8

Confirmation

Baptism Saves

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