Marriage
The covenant of marriage is a visible sign of God’s love for the Church. When a man and a woman are married in the Church, they receive the grace needed for a lifelong bond of unity. We’re grateful to you for seeking out this grace and look forward to walking on this journey with you as you prepare.
Marriage Preparation
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We are excited to help you begin this process. In accordance with the norms of the Archdiocese of Seattle, preparation must begin six months before the date of your wedding, although we recommend giving yourself a minimum of six months.
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At least one on the intended spouses must be a practicing Roman Catholic and registered within our parish family (St. Philomena or St. Thomas) for at least three months prior to starting marriage preparation.
Scheduling your Wedding
It is necessary that you do not announce a scheduled date for your wedding until after you begin your marriage preparation, allowing us to ensure that a desired date can be accommodated. Likewise, we strongly recommend that you do not book any venues until your wedding date has been approved. We cannot guarantee a date that we have not officially confirmed.
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Special Note: Convalidation
As stated above, a Catholic must marry in the Church or have permission to do otherwise. Without this, for the Catholic it is not a valid marriage. For Catholics who married outside the Church and who seek to validly marry, and thus resume receiving the Sacraments, the preparation program is adapted depending upon circumstances, including how long you have been civilly married.
For questions or to begin the steps toward marriage, please contact the parish office - (206) 878-8709.
The Vocation of Marriage
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Throughout your life, whether you realize it or not, you have been preparing for this moment. Our vocation is that which God calls us to, which is our path of holiness, the way in which He wants us to follow Him, to reach one day the gates of Paradise. If marriage is your vocation, then God has been preparing you for it—by witnessing the example of your parents or others in their own marriage, by learning what it means to love, to sacrifice, through the deepening of faith in Christ, our Bridegroom, in so many ways.
Marriage is not something that we create or define. It was instituted during Creation and given a new birth by Christ as He elevated it to a Sacrament, a visible sign of that invisible reality of God’s grace at work in the world. The man and woman, husband and wife, are a visible sign to the world of God’s Triune love and love for His people. They are a reminder of the love of the Bridegroom for His Bride, Christ for the Church.
As such it has certain characteristics which can never be denied or set aside, such as permanence, fidelity and an openness to children. Also, this intimate union and equal partnership must always be entered into freely.
It was for this reason that God called Adam and Eve together: that they might share in His love, a love which overflows and gives life—to the individuals themselves and to the world. As such, marriage is a part of the natural order of Creation. Through it man and woman become coworkers with God in the Order of Creation as it continues on.