What does the Catholic Church teach about marriage?
The short answer
The Church teaches that marriage is a lifelong covenant between one man and one woman, ordered to their mutual good and to the gift of children. Between baptized Christians it is a sacrament — a living sign of Christ's faithful love for his Church.
God's design from the beginning
"a man leaves his father and mother and clings to his wife, and the two of them become one" (Genesis 2:24). Marriage was not invented by the state or the Church; it is written into creation itself (CCC 1603).
A sacrament
Jesus raised marriage to the dignity of a sacrament. Saint Paul compares the love of husband and wife to the love between Christ and the Church: "This is a great mystery" (Ephesians 5:32). In the Latin Church, the spouses themselves are the ministers of the sacrament; the priest or deacon witnesses it for the Church.
Four marks of marriage
- Unity — one man and one woman, becoming "one flesh."
- Indissolubility — for life: "what God has joined together, no human being must separate."
- Fidelity — exclusive faithfulness.
- Openness to life — welcoming children generously (CCC 1643, 1652).
The domestic church
The family is called the "domestic church" — the first place faith is learned, prayed and lived (CCC 1656). Parents are the first teachers of their children in the faith.
Preparing to marry in the Church
Couples usually contact their parish six to twelve months ahead. Preparation includes meetings with the priest or deacon, a marriage preparation course, and often confession before the wedding.
Continue exploring
- What is an annulment?Q&A
- Are children of an annulled marriage considered illegitimate?Q&A
- Can I be ordained online to officiate a wedding?Q&A
- Can a practicing Catholic officiate at a civil wedding?Q&A
- Can a woman whose husband divorced her receive Communion?Q&A
- Can people of the same sex marry each other?Q&A