MARRIAGE
-
-
The Lord God's words resonate: "It is not good for the man to be alone... Therefore, a man leaves his father and mother and clings to his wife, and they become one body" (Gen: 2:18,24). The Catholic Church views marriage as a divine creation, a permanent union between a man and a woman, and a sacred bond.
Not all Christians are destined for the same life commitment. While some may find their calling in marriage, others may lead single lives or dedicate themselves to the Church's ministry and mission. Both paths are considered vital services of love.
The Second Vatican Council describes Matrimony as a "covenant," solidified by irrevocable personal consent, rather than a mere contract (Pastoral Constitution on the Church in the Modern World). The Rite of Marriage highlights the parallels between Christ's union with the Church, the marriage bond's sanctity, mutual affection's necessity, the significance of procreating and raising children, the virtue of faith, and the Eucharistic context of marriage (Rite of Marriage).
At least one member of the engaged couple, or their parents, must be a registered parishioner for a minimum of one year or reside within our parish boundaries as defined by the Archdiocese of Las Vegas. If this requirement is not met, please seek permission from the parish within your boundaries.
-
-
-
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS:Do I need to be registered in the parish to be able to get married?
You may be registered or live within the parish boundaries (these boundaries are assigned by the Archdiocese of Las Vegas) to get married in San Cristobal. You can also do it if your potatoes meet the above requirements. If you plan to get married in this parish and are not registered, we suggest you register in advance. If you belong to another parish and wish to get married in ours, you must request a letter of transfer or permission from your current parish.
What documents do we need to present for our first appointment?
They will need a recent copy of the baptismal certificate (last 6 months), the certificates of the sacraments they have received (First Communion and Confirmation), and their identification. If you are married civilly, you must present your marriage certificate. Additionally, after their first interview, they must attend a pre-marriage preparation course that the church requires as a condition.
What happens if one of us or both of us were previously married civilly to someone else?
If this is the case, they must present, in addition to their Baptism certificate, the marriage and divorce certificate of their previous relationship, as it is necessary to request a dispensation from the Diocesan Court.
What should I do if I am going to get married outside the country or city?
In this case, it is urgent that you make an appointment with us as soon as possible to help you with these procedures. The entire process should be done as if you were getting married here.
Can I get married if I have not received the sacraments of the Eucharist and Confirmation?
According to the laws of the Church, it is enough for you and your partner to be baptized to be able to get married in the Church. However, we encourage you, before or after marriage, to prepare to receive the sacraments that you are missing.
Can I get married if my fiance is not baptized or is a member of a church other than the Catholic Church? Does my partner need to become Catholic to marry me?
You can get married in the Catholic Church even if your fiance is not baptized or belongs to another church. It is not necessary for your partner to become Catholic, but both must accept, as a condition, that the children born from your relationship will be baptized and grown in the Catholic faith.
Can I get married if I was previously married by the Catholic Church to another person?
Depends. Before a new marriage is recognized by the Church, the Diocesan Court must study your case regarding your previous marriage to know if it was valid or invalid. In the Catholic Church there is no divorce but there is a process called Annulment that reviews the conditions that made the first marriage possible to declare it valid or invalid.
-
