Marriage in the Catholic Church facts for kids

Matrimony, The Seven Sacraments, Rogier van der Weyden, c. 1445

In the Catholic Church, the sacrament of marriage is a special promise or agreement between two people who have been baptized. These two people must be a man and a woman. Through this sacrament, they make a lifelong commitment to each other. They promise to support each other and to build a family together.

This special promise lasts until one of the people dies. Marriage in the Catholic Church follows rules from God, the Church, and the government. The Catholic Church does not recognize or perform same-sex marriages. Other religions have their own traditions and rules for marriage.

Images for kids

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  Mosaic depicting the wedding feast in Cana

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  Marriage without religious rite

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  Betrothal and marriage around 1200

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  "Pope Paul III" (Artist: Titian) 1490–1576, c. 1543, Reign 13 October 1534 – 10 November 1549, Presided over part of the [[Council of Trent

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  Priest reading the blessing at a Catholic wedding, 2018

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  Ceremony of Marriage (Giulio Rosati)

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  Crowning during Holy Matrimony in the Syro-Malabar Catholic Church, which is an Eastern Catholic Church and a part of the Saint Thomas Christian community in India

See also

In Spanish: Matrimonio en la Iglesia católica para niños