MARRIAGE

Marriage is a sacred covenant between a man and a woman, united in love, open to new life, and committed to a lifelong journey together. The Catechism of the Catholic Church tells us that, “since God created man and woman, their mutual love becomes an image of the absolute and unfailing love with which God loves man. It is good, very good, in the Creator’s eyes, and this love which God blesses is intended to be fruitful and to be realized in the common work of watching over creation.”

At least 6 months notice is required for weddings at the Cathedral. Couples seeking the Sacrament of Marriage should contact the Cathedral Office at 506 652-6820 for a prenuptial interview to confirm readiness for marriage and discuss necessary preparation and sacramental formation. A wedding date cannot be confirmed until after this interview.

Why Marriage Matters

In the Sacrament of Marriage, human love is consecrated in Christ. Amidst the joys and sorrows, blessings and challenges that are natural to married life, God’s grace is made readily available and can be shared by the spouses in mutual support of one another. Christian marriage is a witness to the world of the love of between Christ and the Church. The Christian family rooted in sacrificial love and life-long commitment, enriched by God’s grace, bears the fruit of peace, hope and joy in a fragile world. It can thus properly be called the domestic church.

Through the Sacrament of Marriage:

  • A perpetual, exclusive and indissoluble bond is established between spouses.

  • Human love is strengthened by divine love.

  • Spouses receive the grace to bear the burdens of life with supernatural, tender and fruitful love.

  • Spouses are equipped for their duties of family life and are given the grace to welcome and educate their children in the faith.

  • The spouses become channels of grace to strengthen and help one another and their children in attaining holiness.

  • The family becomes a witness of God’s love to the world.

HOLY ORDERS

The Catechism of the Catholic Church states that, “Holy Orders is the sacrament through which the mission entrusted by Christ to his apostles continues to be exercised in the Church until the end of time, thus it is the sacrament of apostolic ministry”. Through this sacrament, men are ordained as deacons, priests, or bishops, dedicating their lives to serving God and his people.

Is God Calling You?

It is common for young Catholic men to discern a call to Holy Orders. Whether called to religious life, priesthood, or marriage, engaging in deep and intentional discernment of vocation is crucial. If you are currently asking the question or feel called to discern more intentionally the vocation of Holy Orders, the Diocese of Saint John has a vocations director to assist you in your discernment. You can send him an email, request information, or meet up with him to start a conversation. Contact Fr. Owen Burns, EV, Vocations Director for the Diocese of Saint John, at oburns@dioceseofsaintjohn.org.

The Permanent Diaconate

A deacon is a minister of God ordained to serve in the Church, particularly in proclaiming the Word, charity, and assisting in sacramental and liturgical celebrations. The vocation of a deacon is outlined in Lumen Gentium (article 29): “Strengthened by sacramental grace, in communion with the bishop and priests, a deacon serves in liturgy, word, and charity to God’s people... It is the duty of a deacon to administer baptism, assist at marriages, bring Viaticum to the dying, read Scripture to the faithful, instruct and exhort the people, preside over worship, administer sacramentals, and officiate at funerals.”

If you want to learn more about the Permanent Diaconate, please contact Fr. Ralph McRae, Episcopal Vicar for Clergy, at rg.mcrae@gmail.com.

Why Holy Orders Matters

Holy Orders ensures the Church has ministers to teach, guide, and bring God’s presence through the sacraments. It is a visible sign of God’s care for his people, providing spiritual fathers who dedicate their lives to building the Church and its members. Holy Orders reflects Christ’s mission of self-sacrificing love and service, empowering priests to guide others toward God’s grace.

Through the Sacrament of Holy Orders:

  • Through prayer and anointing, the ordained man is united with Christ the High Priest in a unique, permanent way and given an indelible spiritual character.

  • The ordained man is empowered for ministry by the Holy Spirit and entrusted with the responsibility to teach the faith, celebrate the sacraments, and guide the faithful.

  • The ordained man is set apart to serve the Church by providing for the spiritual and sacramental needs of the faithful. As members of the same body of the faithful, both laity and clergy continue to grow in their vocation to holiness, Christian witness, and mission.

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