Jesus said, “But from the beginning of creation, God made them male and female. For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh. So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.”
                                                                                                               Mark 10:6-9

God who created man out of love also calls him to love – the fundamental and innate vocation of every human being. For man is created in the image and likeness of God who is himself love. Since God created him 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: “And God blessed them, and God said to them: ‘Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth and subdue it.’”
    Catechism of the Catholic Church #1604

There is no area of human life on which most people today are so dependent for personal happiness and fulfillment as that of love between man and woman, a love that is made lasting in marriage and family life.  There is also no other sphere in which faith and life are so intimately in contact with each other as in marriage.  Marriage belongs to the order of creation and to the order of redemption.  God created human beings as man and woman and the Bible tells us that this was good, even very good (see Gen. 1:27, 31).  The bond that God wanted to establish between man and woman is an image or presentation of God’s covenant with humanity that was definitively concluded in Jesus Christ and a likeness of God’s love and faithfulness for humanity (see Eph. 5:21-33).  Marriage between Christians, as a real aspect of God’s creation, is also a real aspect of God’s salvation.” (from: “Theology of Christian Marriage,” by Walter Kasper.)

There are several steps to marriage preparation. Those who are engaged have already begun the process through courtship and the promise to marry each other. The Catholic Church believes that matrimony is one of the seven sacraments instituted by Christ Jesus. In order to help you continue this preparation the Diocese of Fort Worth requires an eight to twelve month time of discernment to aid you in assessing your readiness, strengths and weaknesses and personal faith. It is imperative that you contact Deacon Bruce, as soon as you have decided to marry.  One of the engaged should be a practicing Catholic and a member of this parish. Various programs are required and instructions and counseling are provided. All requests for dates and times are handled on a first come, first served basis after initial preparation has begun. 
 

Any couple interested in being married at St. Vincent de Paul or preparing for marriage must meet with Deacon Bruce Corbett. Contact Deacon Bruce at 817-478-8206 ext 211 All questions about the marriage process will be answered by Deacon Bruce Corbett. 

Deacon Bruce at 817-478-8206 or at [email protected]