"It is not good that the man should be alone. I will make a suitable partner for him. . . . and the two of them become one body" (Gn 2:18; 24)

"Let us rejoice and exult and give him the glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and his Bride has made herself ready; it was granted her to be clothed with fine linen, bright and pure—for the fine linen is the righteous deeds of the saints... Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.” (Rev. 19: 7-9)

Scripture begins with marriage and ends with marriage. Marriage and the union of love is at the center of God's plan, and is in fact a reflection of the Trinity.

The Sacrament of Marriage is a covenant, not a mere contract. The marriage covenant is a permanent union of persons, a bond helping them to know and love each other and God. The celebration of marriage is also a liturgical act, appropriately held in a public liturgy at church.

 

Engaged couples wishing to be married at Our Lady of the Presentation should contact the parish office at 301.349.2045 as soon as they begin plans for their marriage and at least six months in advance.  No date should be set or reception hall reserved until such time as the couple meets with the priest. 

In this noisy, hectic world, which often sends messages that contradict the permanent loving bond of marriage, the Catholic Church provides a marriage prep course to help set you on the right path to a long and happy marriage. This is required in order to be married in the Church.  

To locate a Pre-Cana course in the Archdiocese of Washington, please follow this link to their

Marriage Preparation page.

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The Saints on Marriage

"God unites husband and wife so closely in Himself that it would be easier to sunder soul from body than husband from wife." St. Francis de Sales (d. 1622)

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(On what young husbands should say to their wives): "I have taken you in my arms, and I love you, and I prefer you to my life itself. For the present life is nothing, and my most ardent dream is to spend it with you in such a way that we may be assured of not being separated in the life reserved for us... I place your love above all things, and nothing would be more bitter or painful to me than to be of a different mind than you.” 

St. John Chrysostom (d. 349 AD)

“Love that leads to marriage is a gift from God and a great act of faith toward other human beings.” 

St. John Paul II

 

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