Marriage

By Archdiocesan guidelines, no date or time for a wedding can be set until the Parish Priest or Deacon has met with and personally interviewed the couple to be married. We recommend that even before thinking about a date or time for a marriage (that is, as soon as a couple is engaged), the couple should arrange for an appointment. This will allow plenty of time for the preparation programs that are important and essential before the wedding itself. If special circumstances are discovered and discussed (for instance, in the case of a very young couple, or a pregnancy, or distance between persons during the engagement), then ample time is provided for consideration of possible other ingredients of appropriate preparation before the wedding date is firmly set. At the time of setting your marriage date, a $250 donation to Our Lady of Humility is requested.

Parish Requirements in Planning Your Marriage

Time Before Wedding                   Activity

• 6 months minimum                 - Initial meeting with Parish Priest

At your initial meeting, the Priest will discuss with you the requirements for your marriage to occur in the Catholic Church. Also, you will be given the flyer containing information that the Archdiocese of Chicago requires of all couples. At this time, the date can be entered into the parish calendar, and you will receive a copy of the Parish Guidelines. The actual ceremony (the exchange of vows and blessing and exchange of rings) can take place during the Mass or a ceremony. If a Catholic marries a Non-Catholic, a ceremony is preferred. A Priest will celebrate Mass, and a Deacon would perform a ceremony.

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