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. 

Sacred Scripture begins with the creation of man and woman in the image and likeness of God and concludes with a vision of "the wedding-feast of the Lamb." Scripture speaks throughout of marriage and its "mystery," its institution and the meaning God has given it, its origin and its end, its various realizations throughout the history of salvation, the difficulties arising from sin and its renewal "in the Lord" in the New Covenant of Christ and the Church

The parties to a marriage covenant are a baptized man and woman, free to contract marriage, who freely express their consent; "to be free" means:

• not being under constraint;
• not impeded by any natural or ecclesiastical law.

 The Church holds the exchange of consent between the spouses to be the indispensable element that "makes the marriage." If consent is lacking there is no marriage

At St. Anthony's...

• Couples planning marriage should contact the Parish Priest at least ONE year prior to the proposed wedding date.
• Taking part in a Marriage Preparation Program is mandatory. Online booking for this program is available
• Please contact the Parish Office to schedule a meeting with the pastor
• Please contact Family Ministry Office of the diocese. www.hamiltondiocese.com >Pastoral Offices >Family Ministry, Contact number: 905 528 7988, extn.2237 / 905 528 7988, extn.2249