Matrimony
Congratulations on your engagement! We rejoice with you and your fiancée on this wonderful occasion. It is an exciting time and there are a lot of preparations. Diocesan regulations require that you contact one of the Cathedral clergy at least six months before the wedding to begin preparations. You must be a parishioner in order to be married in the Cathedral. After registering, (click register here if you are not already a parishioner), please complete the Sacrament of Marriage Inquiry form below.
Sacrament of Marriage Inquiry Form
Please note: The Cathedral is undergoing renovations and is closed for Nuptial Masses for at least one year. Our staff will work with you to schedule your rehearsal and wedding at St. Agnes Catholic Church, 1910 N. Randolph St., Arlington, VA 22207. Marriage preparation will continue to be held at the Cathedral. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the Rectory at 703-525-1300.
About the Sacrament of Matrimony
As related in the Catechism of the Catholic Church:
Jesus brought to full awareness the divine plan for marriage. In John’s Gospel, Christ’s first miracle occurs at the wedding in Cana. “The Church attaches great importance to Jesus’ presence at the wedding at Cana. She sees in it the confirmation of the goodness of marriage and the proclamation that thenceforth marriage will be an efficacious sign of Christ’s presence.”
By their marriage, the couple witnesses Christ’s spousal love for the Church. One of the Nuptial Blessings in the liturgical celebration of marriage refers to this in saying, “Father, you have made the union of man and wife so holy a mystery that it symbolizes the marriage of Christ and his Church.”
The Sacrament of Marriage is a covenant, which is more than a contract. Covenant always expresses a relationship between persons. The marriage covenant refers to the relationship between the husband and wife, a permanent union of persons capable of knowing and loving each other and God. The celebration of marriage is also a liturgical act, appropriately held in a public liturgy at church. Catholics are urged to celebrate their marriage within the Eucharistic Liturgy.
Required Forms
As part of the marriage preparation, couples are required to obtain the following items:
Baptismal And Confirmation Certificates
During the preparation process, couples must provide Baptismal Certificates dated within six months of the intended marriage date. The certificate must be signed and sealed by the church where you were baptized with notations of your confirmation listed on the back. If the baptismal church does not have record of your confirmation, you will need to reach out the church where your received the sacrament and provide the Confirmation certificate as well.
Affavidats
The bride and the groom must have two affidavits completed and notarized. The affidavits can be completed by a family member, relative or friend.
