not a religious one, even among devout churchgoers. But it was thought to be lucky to be married at the door of the church, and, in time, the wedding moved into the building and under the wing of the clergy (43).
Although priests now officiate at the ceremony, vestiges of this separation continue in the concept that the ministers for the sacrament of matrimony are the bride and groom themselves. The priest officiates, but the actual sacrament is carried out by the couple itself.
In order to conduct a valid Catholic marriage, both participants must be baptized Catholics. Marriage to a non-Catholic must be given special dispensation by the church before the sacrament can take place. Monsignor Stephen J. Kelleher writes, "This sacramental sign, in turn, confers upon the marriage an absolute indissolubility which reflects the inseparable unity of Christ and the Church" (27). The sacrament is then sealed by consummation of the marriage: "A marriage even of a baptized couple which is a true and valid sacramental marriage is not complete or perfect until it has been consummated by an act which is apt to generate a child" (Kelleher 27).
Procreation is an important purpose of marriage in Catholicism. Before entering into marriage, Catholic couples undergo counseling sessions. These sessions are designed to prepare them both for the demands and requirements of marriage, as well as emphasizing the sanctity of the sacramental union for which they are preparing. Sheila Rauch Ke
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