Studied by 8 peopleHoly Matrimony and Holy Orders
By divine institution, Christian Matrimony is
The permanent
Covenant of love
Between a qualified man and woman
Intended for their common good
and for the procreation and education of Children.
Holy Matrimony
is an eternal conjugal covenant before God, and not a temporary arrangement between two lovers; as Jesus declared: “What God has joined together, no human being must separate” (Mark 10:9).
Mark 10:9
“What God has joined together, no human being must separate”
Death
A valid Christian Marriage is terminated only by __________.
More Uxorio
it is a mortal sin to divorce from the lawful spouse and to live ______________ (as husband and wife) with any other person.
Separation
is allowed only for very serious reasons, such as violence or infidelity, provided the offended party remains single and reunites with the other as soon as reasonably possible.
Marriage
A ________________ is established out of Love, which is the virtue of giving oneself to the other, as Jesus declared: “No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends (John 15:13).
Agape, Eros
Christian Love is called ___________ the selfless commitment of promoting the spouse’s good, and not __________ or the selfish attitude of exploiting the other for one’s interest.
Marrying for other reasons
Such as physical attraction or financial gains, begets no everlasting happiness; as by the Bible’s warning: “Were one to offer all the wealth of his house for love, he would be utterly despised” (Song of Songs 8:7).
monogamous, polygamous, heterosexual, homosexual
Christian Matrimony is __________, as opposite to __________; and _______as opposite to ___________; as Jesus declared: “The Creator made them male and female and said, ‘For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife’” (Matthew 19:4-5).
The two parties must be qualified for Matrimony
Meaning, they should not incur any impediment that will make the Sacrament invalid.
Perverted Relationship
With a person of the same gender is against Nature and God’s will and, if unrepented, begets eternal damnation.
Reciprocal wellbeing of the spouses
The primary purpose of Matrimony as God said: “It is not good for the man to be alone, I will make a helper suited to him” (Genesis 2:18).
Physical and spiritual level
Husband and wife complement each other at the _________________, since their bodies were created paired to provide intimacy and procreation; and their intellectual faculties, to be harmoniously interactive.
Giving life to children
The secondary purpose of Matrimony as by God’s command, “Be fertile and multiply, fill the earth” (Genesis 1:28); as well as educating them to be holy Christians and honest citizens.
Those spouses who cannot have children
for natural causes can nevertheless engage in spiritual parenthood, by engaging in adoption, charity, social services, and prayer.
Divorce
It is the legal dissolution of a valid Civil Marriage, which allows the spouses to remarry civilly with another person. This act is absolutely prohibited by Jesus, who said: “What God has joined together, no human being must separate” (Mark 10:9).
Separation
It is the temporary living-apart of the spouses due to a serious cause, such as infidelity or unbearable violence. It is allowed by the Church, provided the spouses remain single, and strive to reconcile as soon as the cause for separation is dissolved.
Annulment
It is the declaration that a certain Marriage was null and void from the beginning, meaning:it never existed, because of an impediment.
Since Marriage enjoys the favor of law, its validity must be upheld until the contrary is proven.
13 obstacles
What are Impediments that render a Matrimony illicit or invalid; some of them can be dispensed by the Church.
Age
A man cannot validly enter Matrimony before completing 16 years of age, or a woman 14. In the Philippines, the lawful celebration of Marriage requires both parties to be 18 years old, and to obtain the consent of their parents or guardians until the age of 21.
Impotence
Intecedent and Perpetual Impotence, which is the incapacity of having sexual intercourse, whether on the part of the man or the woman, nullifies Marriage; while Sterility, or the incapacity of having children, neither forbids nor invalidates a Marriage.
Previous Sacramental Marriage
A Catholic bound by a prior Sacramental Marriage invalidly attempts a second one, unless the spouse is dead, or the Church has issued a Declaration of Nullity. A valid Marriage cannot be dissolved by any authority - not even by the Pope.
Mixed Marriage and Disparity of Cult
The Marriage between a Catholic and a non-Christian or a non-Catholic Christian, is invalid, unless the Local Ordinary has granted dispensation.
Sacred Orders and Perpetual Vows of Chastity
Deacons, Priests and Bishops, as well as perpetually professed religious, invalidly attempt Marriage; unless the Pope has granted a Dispensation.
Abduction, Force or Grave Fear
No Matrimony can exist when a party was kidnapped in view of contracting Marriage, or married by reason of force or of grave fear; unless the victim chooses Marriage of her own accord after being separated from the captor and established in a safe and free place.
Crime
Anyone who in view of entering Marriage with a certain person has brought about the death of that person’s spouse, or of his own, invalidly attempts Marriage.
Consaguanity
Marriage is invalid between those related by Consanguinity, both legitimate and natural, or by Legal Adoption, in all degrees of the direct line (parents and children; grandparents and grandchildren), or in the second degree of the collateral line (brothers and sisters). The impediment of Consanguinity in the third and fourth degree of collateral line (first cousins; nephews and uncles) can be dispensed.
Affinity
The legal relationship existing between a spouse and the blood relatives of the other spouse invalidates a Matrimony in any degree of the direct line (step-father with step-daughter; father-in-law with daughter-in-law).
Domestic Church
The Christian Family is called as the _____________ because it is the basic community of faith and love, essential for the growth of the Church as well as the wellbeing of society; moreover, it is the seedbed of religious and priestly vocations.
The mode of the Domestic Church
is the Holy Family of Nazareth, where Jesus, Mary and Joseph lived in perfect harmony among themselves, with God and with their neighbors.
Spouses
Ministers of Marriage who mutually confer upon each other the Sacrament of Matrimony by expressing their consent before the Church.
The Priest
The one who assists at the Rite of Marriage is appointed to receive the consent of the spouses and to give the blessing in the name of the Church. However, he is the Minister of the Holy Mass during which the Sacrament of Marriage takes place.
Exchange of Consent
The Matter of the Sacrament of Matrimony. It is which is the human act by which the spouses mutually give themselves to each other, by declaring: “I take you to be my wife” – “I take you to be my husband.”
Three
How many conditions are there in Matrimonial Consent is considered valid if exchanged?
Consciously
The Spouses must have sufficient use of reason to understand the three essential properties of Matrimony, namely: Unity (that it is exclusive and monogamous); Indissolubility (that it lasts till the death of one of them); and Openness to Life (that it must be open to procreation).
Freely
Both parties ought to express their Consent free from physical and emotional hindrances, such as abduction, force, or grave fear. Even though preparations are done, and the guests are already seated on the Church benches, it is better to have a runaway bride than a lifetime of misery.
Unimpedely
The Bride and Groom had to be free from these canonical impediments: Age; Impotence; Previous Marriage; Disparity of Religion; Ordination or Perpetual Vow of Chastity; Crime; Consanguinity, Affinity and Quasi-Affinity in the prohibited degree; Error; and Deceit.
Words of Consent
“I take you to be my wife” – “I take you to be my husband.”
question-and-answer format
The words of consent can be rephrased in ________________ where the Priest asks to both spouses: “N., do you take N. here present, for your lawful husband/wife, according to the rite of our Holy Mother, the Church?” And the spouses individually reply: “Yes, I do.”
Mutual
It is essential for the validity of Marriage that both parties utter the Form, and not only one side; because Matrimony is not a mere donation of oneself to another, but a mutual agreement.
External
The Form must be declared in audible words, or in writing for the hearing impaired, lest the Marriage is invalid. The internal consent alone is insufficient, since Matrimony has ecclesiastical and civil relevance.
Present
The Form must be expressed in words which have reference to present time; since Matrimony is not a promise of a future commitment, but the actual union of the spouses for life.
Parish Church
The Sacrament of Matrimony should be celebrated in the?
Reservations
should be made at least two months in advance, to allow enough time for preparing the necessary documents.
Garden marriages
As well as Marriages outside Parish Churches, ARE NOT ALLOWED, unless with the permit of the local Parish, where all documentation and requirements are prepared.
Marriage License
To be requested from the municipal office where the parties reside; if the couple is already civilly married, they must provide a notarized copy of their Marriage Contract.
Baptismal Certificate
To be requested from the Parishes where the two parties were baptized; it lasts only for six months and must have the annotation: “For Marriage Purposes.”
Confirmation Certificate
To be requested from the Church where the two parties were confirmed; if they were not yet confirmed, they may do so in any Catholic Church of their choice.
Canonical Interview
It is the official examination made by the Parish Priest, or by a Priest delegated by him, to each fiancée, individually, to ascertain whether the couple is qualified to celebrate marriage.
During the wedding ceremony
the Bride stands on the left side of the Groom because it is the closest to his heart.
God created Eve from one rib
on Adam’s left side, which is the closest bone to his heart (cf. Genesis 2:22); to signify that the Wife must have a primary and exclusive place in the Man’s heart.
White wedding gown
symbolizes the purity and innocence that a Christian Bride would preserve till the day of her Matrimony.
Veil
which preserves the Bride’s beauty, has to be transparent and reveal her face, in deference to Jacob who, because of a closed veil, mistakenly married Leah instead of her sister Rachel (cf. Genesis 29:25).
Bouquet
• symbolizes fertility and the start of a new life: as the flowers blossom with colors and seeds, so the Bride with children and life.
• After the wedding reception, it is tossed to the maids to wish them good luck for their future marriages.
Right hands
During the exchange of the Matrimonial Consent, the Spouses join their __________ to signify their total commitment to one another.
The rings
made of gold or platinum, signify the everlasting love and fidelity of the Spouses that, as a circle, has no end.
Ring-finger
Rings placed here because it is believed that a vein runs directly from there to the heart, and the ring would remind the Spouses of their eternal covenant of love.
The Arrhae
or coins, that the Groom places on the cupped hands of the Bride, symbolize the Husband’s responsibility of providing for the material needs of the Bride and their future children.
The Marriage Veil
placed on the Bride’s head and extended to the Groom’s shoulder symbolizes their exclusive and eternal love.
Eight-shaped chord
which is placed around the Couple’s shoulders, signifies the indissolubility of Matrimony, whose yoke of love should be carried together.
Sacrament of Ordination
Ordination is the Sacrament through which a male Catholic is consecrated Deacon, Priest, or Bishop, for the purpose of perduring until the end of time Christ’s Sacred Ministry.
In Persona Christi
In the person of Christ
Prophet, Priest, and King
We believe that Jesus is the only…?
To teach, sanctify, and govern the Church
Three priestly powers of the Clergy
The Last Supper
When did Jesus institute the Sacrament of Ordination?
“Do this in memory of me”
What did Jesus say when he instituted the Sacrament of Ordination?
Sacra Potestas
The three Priestly Powers are known as…?
Teaching
The Ordained Ministers have the sacred duty to preach God’s Word every day in a dignified, competent, and effective manner.
Sanctifying
The Clergy have the obligation to celebrate the Sacraments and to pray the Breviary for God’s glory and the souls’ salvation.
Governing
The Apostles’ successors ought to diligently establish and administer the Church, as loving and zealous shepherds.
Common Priesthood
is bestowed on all Christians by the Sacrament of Baptism, enabling them to teach, sanctify, and govern In Nomine Christi (In the Name of Christ). As by St. Peter words: “You are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people set apart” (1 Peter 2:9).
Ministerial Priesthood
is granted to the Clergy by the Sacrament of Ordination, enabling them to teach, sanctify, and govern In Persona Christi (In the Person of Christ). It is a serious abuse to authorize the non-clergy to impart blessings, or to preach at the Mass, in stead of a Deacon or a Priest.
The Clergy
are those who have received the Sacrament of Ordination
Deacons, Priests, and Bishops
Who are the Clergy?
Kleros
The Clergy comes from the Greek word…?
Portion
Kleros, meaning ________________, because the ordained ministers are the chosen portion of God.
Diocesan and Religious
Divisions of the Clergy
Diocesan
are incardinated into a diocese, subjected to the authority of their Bishop
Religious
are incardinated into a Religious Congregation, subjected to their Major Superiors.
Deacons
are Ordained Ministers of the First Degree, whose mission is caring for the needy and serving the Church. There are two kinds of Deacons: the Transitional, who have received the Diaconate in preparation for Priesthood; and the Permanent, who remain as such and might be married.
Diakonos
Greek word for Deacons
Servant
Meaning of Diakonos
Dalmatic and the Stole
What are the two liturgical vestments of the Deacons that are from the left shoulder to the right side, signifying that they assist the Priests, but do not possess the priestly functions.
The principal functions of the Deacons
the Ministry of the Word, such as reading the Gospel, preaching, and teaching Catechism
2) the Ministry of the Altar, as administering Baptism, distributing the Eucharist, assisting at Marriage, and officiating Burial Rites
3) the Ministry of Charity, like serving in charitable activities and sharing in the administrative works of the Church.
The Priests
Are Ordained Ministers of the Second Degree, whose office is to offer the Holy Sacrifice to God and to administer the Sacraments of the Church.
We need many of them, since they care for the faithful from the cradle to the tomb: by preaching, catechizing, celebrating the Mass, confessing, assisting the sick, and laying the dead to rest.
Presbyteros
Greek word for Priests
Elder
Meaning of Presbyteros
St. John Mary Vianney
Who said: “The Priest is not a Priest for himself, he is for you. After God, the Priest is everything. Leave a parish twenty years without Priests; they will worship beasts. When people wish to destroy religion, they begin by attacking the Priest, because where there is no longer any Priest there is no sacrifice, and where there is no longer any sacrifice there is no religion.” ?
The Bishops
are Ordained Ministers of the Third Degree, possessing the fullness of the Sacrament of Ordination.
Episkopos
Greek word for Bishops
Supervisor
Meaning of Episkopos
Diocese
Bishops are appointed to…?
Cathedral
The official see is called….?
Cathedra
Latin word of Cathedral
Chair
Meaning of Cathedra, which is installed in the presbytery and signifies their teaching and governing authority.
The Cardinals
are Bishops of great prestige, appointed to assist the Pope in governing the Church and in electing his successor.
Red hats and vestments
indicating their commitment to defend Christ and his Church till the shedding of blood.
The Pope
The Supreme Head of the Catholic Church.
Simon Peter
Who was the First Pope appointed by Jesus? He said that“You are Peter and upon this rock I will build my Church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it” (Mt. 16:18).
Note
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