HOLY MATRIMONY

How can I ever express the happiness of a marriage joined by the Church,

strengthened by an offering, sealed by a blessing,

announced by angels, and ratified by the Father? . . .

How wonderful the bond between two believers, now one in hope, one in desire,

one in discipline, one in the same service!

They are both children of one Father and servants of the same Master,

undivided in spirit and flesh, truly two in one flesh.

Where the flesh is one, one also is the spirit.

Tertullian, Ad uxorem. 2,8,6-7:PL 1,1412-1413; cf. FC 13.

For you to get married in one of our churches, you need to satisfy the following conditions:

You must both be free to marry (i.e., neither of you should have been married before)
One of you must be a baptised Roman Catholic.
You must be prepared to attend a marriage preparation course.
You must both see marriage as a lifelong commitment and be open to the possibility of children.

If all the above conditions are met, then you can arrange a date, by calling the office on 01752 331288, giving a clear six months’ notice.

If you do not live within the Plymouth East Roman Catholic Parishes,

then you will need permission from your own parish priest,

who may decide he needs to see you as well.

You will also need to visit Plymouth Register Office,

since the civil authorities require notice of marriage to be given.

You will need to provide the following documents:

1. Baptism Certificates –

If you do not have these please contact the Parish where you were Baptised as soon as possible to obtain a replacement copy.
2. Statutory Declaration of Freedom to Marry –

This must be signed in the presence of a Commissioner Oaths and can be downloaded here.

3. Proof of the annulment of any previous marriage.

If you have been married before (whether in a religious or civil ceremony, and this marriage has not been annulled please discuss this first with your Priest).