Dear Kianna,
Why should I get married in the Catholic Church?
— Hopeful Romantic
Dear Hopeful,
I just got married in August, so your question resonates deeply with me.
As Catholics, we believe the union of a man and woman in marriage is a sacrament given by God — so a Catholic church is an appropriate place for Catholics to get married! But beyond the importance of a sacred location, getting married in the Church was the most grace-filled and joyful experience for my husband, Jesús, and me.
By preparing for and receiving this sacrament, we formed our foundation as a married couple, disciples of Christ ready to love each other and allow our love to be a witness for others.
I still struggle to find words to fully capture the beauty of the sacrament we received.
During the year that Jesús and I were engaged, we invited God into the center of our relationship — focusing on prayer, adoration and going to Mass together. As our faith strengthened as a couple, so did my love for Jesús. One of my favorite experiences was during adoration, thinking, “God, this is the man that you have chosen for me, and I am the woman you have chosen for him.” My heart was filled with the deepest gratitude and love for the Lord and for my future husband.
Jesús and I also attended a marriage preparation retreat and sought videos, books and other materials about the theology of marriage. We learned about the sacredness of the covenant that we were about to form with the Lord and one another — a commitment that is permanent, faithful and fruitful, reflecting the very love between Jesus and his Church.
On our wedding day, I walked down the aisle accompanied by my mom and dad to meet Jesús at the altar of the Lord. After embracing, we peered at the crucifix hanging in front of us. As Jesus lays down his life for us, so, too, would we in this great sacrificial union.
The Mass was the most powerful experience of God’s presence and love that we have encountered together. Being in God’s house at the foot of the altar, joined at the Eucharistic table, surrounded by our family and friends and accompanied by priests and a deacon, our hearts were full.
When we spoke our vows, love soared through my whole being. It was as if God himself was giving me the gift of his heart, manifested through my beloved husband. In fact, the priest spoke of this in his homily, saying, “Jesús, when you love your wife, you are loving God. Kianna, when you love your husband, you are loving God.” Receiving the sacrament of marriage formed us in a covenantal union, sending us forth on a mission to be the light of Christ together.
As we grow together in our marriage, we continue to call upon and use the grace that we received through the sacrament, allowing us to become more transformed by the love of Christ and seek the Lord in our daily lives.
May God bless you!
Northwest Catholic - December 2023/January 2024