"The matrimonial covenant, by which a man and a woman establish between themselves a partnership of the whole of life, is by its nature ordered toward the good of the spouses and the procreation and education of offspring; this covenant between baptized persons has been raised by Christ the Lord to the dignity of a sacrament. ˜Catechism of the Catholic Church"

The Sacrament of Holy Matrimony unites one man and one woman into union bounded by love to be a reflection of God's love for the entire Church and a means of preserving the human race.  Through Holy Matrimony, a bride and groom ( the ministers of the sacrament) give of themselves freely to each other before the Church in love and fidelity in the same way that Christ gave of Himself to His bride, the Church, emptying Himself and being faithful to her, as St. Paul tells us, to the point of death.

Introduction
 
The sacrament of matrimony reflects the importance of the vocation of marriage in the Catholic Church.  Our Tradition holds marriage as a lifelong commitment, charged with deepening the faith of the couple, their children and their community.  The Church makes this the most social of sacraments, welcoming the couple into the Church community in a special way, outwardly symbolized by the wedding.
 
While the wedding liturgy will touch you, your family and friends in an especially intimate way, it has an effect on the local parish and to the larger Church as well.  When you exchange your vows, you offer a visible sign of God’s presence and love to the parish in which your wedding is celebrated.  You create a new family within that community.  At the same time, the church and in particular, the local parish promises to be there for you in times of joy and in times of need.  You are making a commitment to each other and to the Church.  In turn, the Church is making a commitment to you.


The guidelines of the Diocese of Des Moines and the parish of St.
Thomas Aquinas for marriage preparation and wedding
celebrations reflect this commitment.  The Church’s concern is
expressed before the wedding in its encouragement that you take
part in the marriage preparation process.
 
This concern continues in the assistance and guidance which the
parish offers for your wedding liturgy.  Look upon these guidelines
not as obstacles to be overcome, but rather as an expression of the
Church’s desire to celebrate your wedding and married life as an
integral and welcome part of the parish community of St. Thomas Aquinas.
 
 

 
1.  Since Matrimony is a Church Sacrament, Catholic participants
must be in good standing with the Church.  This means that they
are attending Mass regularly, receiving other sacraments and
contributing time and money to support our catholic communities.
 
2.      St. Thomas Aquinas requires that the marriage
preparation process begin no less than six (6) months prior
to the proposed wedding date.
 
3.      A certificate of Baptism for each Christian person is required.
The certificate must be issued no more than six (6) months prior
to the wedding.
 
4.      A special dispensation or permission from the Bishop of the
Diocese of Des Moines must be obtained in the following
circumstances:
 
a.       For a Catholic marrying someone who is not a baptized
         Christian.
b.      When someone other than a Catholic priest or deacon is
going to witness the consent (vows).  Usually, this means
that the wedding is going to be celebrated in a non-Catholic
Church and the minister from the non-Catholic parish will
preside. Otherwise, all weddings must take place in a
Catholic Church.
 
5.      Couples are required to participate in Marriage Formation.  The possibilities include the following:
 
a.   Sponsor Couples
b.   Communication Workshops
c.   Remarriage Workshop – for couples entering a second or subsequent marriage.   

Couples wishing to celebrate marriage ought to contact the office 9 months before the proposed wedding date.