Marriage

Through the Sacrament of Matrimony, God gives special graces to help married couples with life's difficulties, especially to help them raise their children as loving followers of Christ.

Marriage always involves three parties: the bride, the groom, and God. When two Christians receive the Sacrament of Matrimony, God is with them, witnessing and blessing their marriage covenant. For Catholics, God does this through the priest or deacon who presides at the wedding as the Church's witness.

A sacramental marriage is permanent; only death can break it. This holy union is a living symbol of the unbreakable relationship between Christ and his Church. It is celebrating faithfulness and fidelity with God at the center of a couple's marriage!

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​The Sacrament of Holy Matrimony is one of two vocation sacraments (Holy Orders is the other).  Vocation comes from the Latin word vocare, which means “to call.”  God calls men and women to Holy Matrimony as a way of spreading his unconditional love and continuing his work in creation. 

If you feel that the Lord has called you to the Sacrament of Holy Matrimony and you and your intended are ready to make plans for the sacramental celebration, please call the Parish Center to meet with a priest to reserve your preferred date before booking your reception. 

Please allow at least one year to plan for this special day in your lives.

There are four steps to be completed prior to the Wedding Ceremony:

  1. An Introductory Meeting between the priest or deacon and the engaged couple.

  2. Participate in the marriage preparation seminar, see the Archdiocese of Chicago Website for information.

  3. Preparation and Liturgy.

  4. Sacrament of Reconciliation. 

 

Required Documentation for Marriage:

Church Documents:

  1.  A QUESTIONNAIRE to be filled out by both parties with the assistance of the priest or deacon.

  2. BAPTISMAL CERTIFICATES newly issued and dated within six months of the date you are to be married.
    Catholics should contact their church of baptism and inform them of your date of marriage, and the address of St. Mary’s where they are to send the certificate.
    Photocopies of originals cannot be accepted for Catholics.
    Non-Catholic Christians need to supply a record of baptism. 

  3.  CONFIRMATION CERTIFICATES (for Catholics) newly issued and dated within six months of the date you are to be married.
    Please note that records are oftentimes kept at the church of baptism, so one certificate frequently has both baptism and confirmation dates on it.

  4. TWO AFFIDAVITS are required. These are filled out by two people who have known you well from at least the age of fifteen. These are statements from people who can testify as to your proper disposition and readiness for marriage.

 

Civil Documents:

The State of Illinois requires that a marriage license be obtained from the Clerk of Lake County. The license is valid for a maximum of 60 days.

Please note: You must bring the marriage license to the wedding rehearsal. Without this document, the wedding cannot take place!

 Arrangements for the celebration of marriage must be made at least six months in advance. We urge you to contact our Parish Center before making arrangements with reception halls and other wedding vendors to ensure that your desired date is available in the church. All initial arrangements are to be made with a priest. Please call the Parish Center at (847) 234-0205 to speak with one of our priests.