The Sacrament Of Holy Matrimony
By DON FIER Having thus far examined the Church’s teaching as presented by the Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC) for six of the seven sacraments, it remains for us to treat the Sacrament of Holy Matrimony. Along with Holy Orders, it is identified as a sacrament “at the service of communion,” for as described in an earlier installment (see volume 149, n. 51; December 22, 2016), it can accurately be stated that Ordination and marriage confer graces that are especially “directed towards the salvation of others; if they contribute as well to personal salvation, it is through service to others that they do so” (CCC, n. 1534). The Catechism begins its treatment of marriage by citing a key canon…Continue Reading