This section is under development. For inquiries about Sacramental preparation for Marriage please contact your regional pastor or contact the Diocese at least 8 to12 months prior to your intended wedding date.
- Getting Married in the Catholic Church
- Preparing for the Funeral Mass of a Love One
Catholic weddings and funerals mark two of the most profound moments in the life of faith, standing at the threshold of love and loss, beginning and ending, hope and surrender. Far more than social events or cultural customs, these celebrations are sacred encounters in which the Church proclaims God’s presence in the most important passages of human life. Their significance lies not only in the rituals themselves, but in the meaning they carry and the faith with which they are prepared and celebrated.
A Catholic wedding is the celebration of a sacrament, a public and lifelong covenant in which a man and a woman commit themselves to one another in the presence of God and the community. Through their vows, the couple becomes a living sign of Christ’s faithful love for the Church. The prayers, readings, and symbols of the wedding liturgy express that marriage is not a private contract, but a vocation lived within the Church. Careful preparation helps couples understand this deeper meaning, inviting them to reflect on love as self-giving, faithful, and open to life. When preparation is taken seriously, the wedding day becomes not simply a beautiful moment, but the beginning of a sacramental life sustained by grace.
Catholic funerals, by contrast, accompany a person and their loved ones at the moment of death, affirming faith in the Resurrection and the promise of eternal life. The Church’s funeral rites honor the dignity of the human person, commend the deceased to God’s mercy, and offer comfort to those who mourn. Scripture, prayer, and the symbols of the liturgy proclaim that death is not the end, but a passage into new life with Christ. Understanding the meaning of these rites allows families to grieve with hope, grounded in the Church’s belief that life is transformed, not ended.
Good preparation is essential for both weddings and funerals, as it helps those involved move beyond surface familiarity to a deeper participation in the faith being expressed. Preparation allows couples and families to choose readings and prayers that reflect the Gospel, to understand the symbols used, and to engage the celebration with intention and reverence. It also creates space for pastoral accompaniment, where questions can be asked, faith can be strengthened, and hearts can be gently guided.
Ultimately, Catholic weddings and funerals teach the Church how to live and how to die in faith. They remind us that love and loss are held within God’s saving plan, and that every stage of life is touched by grace. When these celebrations are prepared with care and understood in their fullness, they become powerful moments of encounter, drawing individuals and communities more deeply into the mystery of God’s love and promise.
Mackenzie-Fort Smith 