St. Alphonsus-St. Clement Parish

Sacramental marriage is between two baptized Christians who are free of any impediments to being married. Catholics must be married in the presence of a priest or deacon of the

Catholic church and two witnesses.

• Contact the parish at least 6 months prior to setting a date for the wedding.

• Couple will need to take a marriage prep course before your wedding.

• Be mature enough to celebrate marriage.

• Baptize and raise all children as Catholics.

Please call the Parish Office at 313-581-7495  to set up an appointment with a priest.

Sacrament of Matrimony

Sacred Scripture begins with the creation and union of man and woman and ends with "the wedding feast of the Lamb" (Rev 19:7, 9). Scripture often refers to marriage, its origin and purpose, the meaning God gave to it, and its renewal in the covenant made by Jesus with his Church.  Man and woman were created for each other. By their marriage, the couple witnesses Christ's spousal love for the Church. One of the Nuptial Blessings in the liturgical celebration of marriage refers to this in saying, "Father, you have made the union of man and wife so holy a mystery that it symbolizes the marriage of Christ and his Church." 

The Sacrament of Marriage is a covenant, which is more than a contract. Covenant always expresses a relationship between persons. The marriage covenant refers to the relationship between the husband and wife, a permanent union of persons capable of knowing and loving each other and God. The celebration of marriage is also a liturgical act, appropriately held in a public liturgy at church. Catholics are urged to celebrate their marriage within the Eucharistic Liturgy.