Catholic Student Center at USF

The Sacrament of Marriage

The Catholic Center is happy to help USF students and faculty members prepare for the Sacrament of Marriage.

The Catholic Church believes and teaches that Marriage is a Sacrament. Sacraments are sacred signs that make present the realities they signify. In Marriage, the exchange of vows between a woman and a man is intended by God to create and sustain a permanent partnership of life and love. The process of preparation that the Catholic Student Center offers is intended to help the couple discover who they are in their relationship, how they want to create a marriage relationship together and what it will mean for them to be in a lifetime partnership with each other.

As Marriage is intended by God to be the Sacrament by which husband and wife consecrate themselves and their family, it is imperative that couples enter Marriage with an attitude of prayer and reverence. In addition to preparing oneself intellectually, emotionally and spiritually, it is advisable to have completed the Sacraments of Initiation, namely, Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist.

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR YOU?

To marry in the Church means to make a sacred vow to your spouse, to God and to the Church. You promise to your spouse that you will live with them in love and forgiveness for your whole life; you promise also to bring to the relationship all those things necessary for a life-long union. You promise God fidelity to the commandments, especially the Two Great Commandments of love. Finally, you promise that your marriage relationship will be a sign of God's creating and redeeming love to your local congregation and the worldwide Church.

Admittedly, not all couples are aware of these sacred duties when they begin their marriage plans. At the Catholic Center, we are committed to helping you come to terms with the personal and ecclesial responsibilities of marriage. We ask that you approach this Marriage Preparation Process with an open mind and heart.

No one can guarantee your success and happiness in marriage. The Marriage Preparation Process offers you the best possible start to your marriage relationship.

HOW LONG IS THE TIME OF PREPARATION?

The process of preparation for marriage asks the couple to take time to look at themselves and all aspects of their coming marriage. The Diocese of St. Petersburg Marriage Policy asks couples to contact their priest at least six months prior to the date on which they wish to marry. This usually allows sufficient time to complete the process.

The Pre-marital preparation has several steps: an initial interview, the PMI Process, the Enrichment program and the actual planning for the wedding ceremony. The Chaplain will explain the details of this process to you in the initial interview. The Catholic Center will make a commitment to a particular date for your marriage after you have successfully completed the PMI process. There is also some paperwork required. You can get an early start on the paperwork by obtaining a recent copy of your baptismal certificate (dated within the last six months), from the parish where you were baptized.

WHAT ARE THE COSTS?

The Catholic Student Center asks a fee of $300 for the preparation work. There is an additional fee charged by the Diocese for the Enrichment Programs. If your wedding takes place at the Catholic Student Center you will have to pay the musicians for their services at your wedding. You may also encounter other fees if your wedding will take place at a church other than the Catholic Student Center.

WHAT ABOUT FORMER MARRIAGES?

If either of you have been married before, the time of preparation may take considerably longer than the minimum six months requested. Please be aware that prior marriages (even if the party is not Catholic), almost always require some kind of annulment process before the individual is free to marry. Please discuss such matters with the Chaplain before setting your heart on a particular date or time of year for your marriage.

SPECIAL SITUATIONS

No two relationships are alike. There are bound to be special questions or circumstances associated with your wedding plans. Please contact the Chaplain as early as possible to discuss matters pertaining to the preparations for your marriage.

Related Information:
Catholic Marriage FAQ's

The Catholic Way of Life