1. Why is Marriage a Sacrament in the Catholic Church?
Marriage, like other sacraments, makes Christ present and benefits not just the couple but the entire community. The Church teaches that marriage between two baptized persons is a sacrament. In the Old Testament, marriage symbolizes God’s covenant with His people. The Letter to the Ephesians compares it to Christ’s relationship with the Church.
2. Do Catholics ever validly enter into non-sacramental marriages?
Yes. If a Catholic marries a Christian or a non-Catholic, the marriage is valid but not sacramental. A priest or deacon may witness such marriages with Church permission.
3. What Makes a Catholic Marriage Valid?
A valid Catholic marriage requires that:
a. The couple is free to marry.
b. They freely give their consent.
c. They intend lifelong faithfulness and openness to children.
d. Their vows are exchanged before two witnesses and a properly authorized Church minister (Exceptions to the last requirement must be approved by church authority).
4. If a Catholic wants to marry a Christian / non-Catholic, how can they assure that the marriage is recognized by the Church?
In addition to meeting the criteria for a valid Catholic marriage (refer to question 3), the Catholic must seek permission from the Archdiocese of Bombay to marry a Christian / non-Catholic. If the person is a Christian, this permission is called a “permission to enter into a mixed marriage.” If the person is a non-Christian, the permission is called a “dispensation from disparity of cult.” Those helping to prepare the couple for marriage can assist with the permission process.
5. Why does a Catholic wedding have to take place in a Church?
For Catholics, marriage is not just a social or family event, but a church event. For this reason, the Church prefers that marriages between Catholics be celebrated in the parish church of one of the partners who are to enter into marriage. Only the Archdiocese of Bombay can permit a marriage to be celebrated in another suitable place.
6. If two Catholics or a Catholic and Christian /non-Catholic are married invalidly in the eyes of the Church, what should they do about it?
They should speak with their parish priest to resolve the situation and have their marriage recognised.
7. When a Catholic marries a Christian or a non-Catholic, must the Christian /non-Catholic promise to raise the children in the Catholic faith?
When a Catholic marries a Christian or a non-Catholic, the couple must promise to do their best to have the children baptized and raised in the Catholic faith.
8. Is it required that a wedding celebration have expensive flowers, clothes and other accompaniments?
The Rite of Marriage makes no reference to any of these cultural elements. The focus of the couple should be on the celebration of the sacrament. The Archdiocese of Bombay points out that a couple do not have to postpone the celebration of the Sacrament of Marriage because they cannot afford such things.
9. How much does a catholic wedding cost?
Churches may have a customary offering among other arrangements that the couple would want. Hence this could be checked with the parish where the wedding Mass will be held.
10. What is a Nuptial Mass and when can a couple have one?
A Nuptial Mass is a Mass which includes the celebration of the sacrament of marriage, typically for two baptized Catholics. A Catholic marrying a baptized Christian or non-Catholic may have a Nuptial Mass with the approval of the Archdiocese of Bombay. However Communion is not given to the Christian or non-Catholic. Marriages between a Catholic and a non-baptized persons are celebrated outside of Mass.
11. Can weddings be permitted during Lent?
Weddings are not allowed during the Triduum (Holy Thursday to Easter Sunday and during Lent, a month of penance.
12. What should a couple do when they decide that they want to marry in the Catholic Church?
Contact the parish as soon as possible and make an appointment to talk with the priest, parish priest or deacon to find out the person who is responsible for preparing couples for marriage. This person will explain the process of marriage preparation and the necessary steps that the couple needs to take.
13. Why does the church require engaged couples to participate in a marriage preparation program?
Marriage preparation offers couples the opportunity to develop a better understanding of Catholic marriage; to evaluate and deepen their readiness to live married life and to gain insights into themselves as individuals and as a couple. It is especially effective in helping couples to deal with the challenges of the early years of marriage.
14. What topics are covered in Marriage Preparation Courses?
Marriage preparation programs help couples to understand the Catholic and the human aspects of marriage. Typical topics include:
a. Marriage as a sacrament
b. Rite of Marriage
c. Faith, prayer and church life
d. Communication and conflict resolution
e. Parenthood and Natural Family Planning
f. Living in Harmony with Others
15. Can non-Catholics attend the course?
At least one partner must be Catholic. The course is rooted in Catholic theology and teaches marriage as a Sacrament of the Church. However, non-Catholic partners are welcome to participate and benefit from the program.
16. Does MPC respect our privacy?
Absolutely. MPC values privacy and emphasises open and honest communication between couples. While presentations are given to the group as a whole, your personal discussions remain private. You are encouraged to focus on your partner, reflect deeply and express your true thoughts and feelings on various topics.
17. Which is the better programme of the two?
These programmes are different in content and approach. Please read through the programme details to decide which one you would prefer to select.
18. Do we have to come in person to register?
Certain formalities need to be completed in person and for that the couple or the partner residing in Mumbai would need to visit the Snehalaya Office with the required documents.
19. How does MPC prepare us for Marriage?
MPC provides a structured and meaningful opportunity for couples to engage in open and honest conversations about their future together. The course helps you:
a. Understand your own strengths, vulnerabilities and expectations.
b. Recognize your partner’s qualities, challenges and emotional needs.
c. Develop deeper empathy, communication and conflict-resolution skills.
d. By fostering mutual understanding, the course helps build a strong foundation for a lasting and fulfilling marriage.
20. When should a couple attend the MPC?
Couples are encouraged to attend the course at least 6-12 months before their wedding to allow ample time for preparation and reflection. It is advisable to register in advance to secure a spot. Those planning a Catholic wedding should consult their parish priest for guidance and register for the MPC when ready.
21. How long is the MPC certificate valid?
The MPC certificate is valid for one year from the date of completion. Couples are encouraged to plan their marriage within this timeframe.
22. Do we have to be present for the whole course to receive the certificate?
Yes, the couple has to be present for both the days inorder to receive the certificate.
23. Cancellations: How do we go about it? And do we get a refund of our money?
As arrangements have to be made for the food etc. we need advance notice of cancellations. The earlier you inform the Snehalaya Office the better. There is no refund however you may choose another date for the program. Please note this change can be accommodated only in cases of a genuine unavoidable reason and if informed no later than 5 days before the course can begin.
24. What can a couple do if their marriage is in trouble?
If a couple is facing difficulties in their marriage, they should seek guidance as early as possible. Parish priests, deacons and other religious leaders are available to listen, offer spiritual counsel and provide referrals to professional resources. In addition, Snehalaya Family Service Centre offers support for both pre-marriage and post-marriage relationships through professional counselling services, helping couples navigate challenges and strengthen their bond.
25. What is an annulment?
An annulment is a declaration by a Tribunal (Catholic Church Court) that a marriage thought to be valid according to Church law actually fell short of at least one of the essential elements required for a binding union (refer to question 3). Unlike civil divorce, an annulment does not erase something that was already there but rather it is a declaration that a valid marriage was never actually brought about on the wedding day. A declaration of nullity does not deny that a relationship ever existed between the couple or that the spouses truly loved one another.
26. How can a couple married 20 years get an annulment?
The annulment process examines the events leading up to and at the time of the wedding ceremony, in an effort to determine whether what was required for a valid marriage was ever brought about. While a marriage of 20 years provides evidence that a couple had some capacity for a life-long commitment, the duration of their relationship in itself does not prove or negate the existence of the marriage bond.
27. If a marriage is annulled are the children from it considered illegitimate?
No. A declaration of nullity has no effect on the legitimacy of children, since the child’s mother and father were presumed to be married at the time that the child was born.
28. How long does an annulment take?
One should consider about 6 to 12 months to complete the entire process. However, depending on the complexity of the case, the process may take longer.