““For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.” This is a great mystery, and I am applying it to Christ and the church. Each of you, however, should love his wife as himself, and a wife should respect her husband.” – Ephesians 5:31-33

Marriage is a lifelong commitment, and Holy Matrimony is “a covenant by which a man and a woman establish between themselves a partnership of the whole of life, is by its nature ordered toward the good of the spouses and the procreation and education of offspring; this covenant between baptized persons has been raised by Christ the Lord to the dignity of a sacrament.” CCC 1601

If you would like to get married in the Catholic Church, please contact the parish office at least six months in advance. The Catholic Diocese of Auckland offers a Marriage Preparation Course that while not compulsory, is useful to prepare you to make this life-changing choice.

Convalidation

If a couple has a civil marriage and would like their marriage to be recognised/validated in the eyes of the Church, a convalidation is needed. During the convalidation ceremony, the couple makes new vows in the presence of a priest and two witnesses.

Convalidation comes from the Latin word meaning to “firm up” or “to strengthen”, and it is a blessing when couples choose to convert their civil marriage to a Sacramental one. Please get in touch with our parish priest who will guide you through this process.