Roman Catholic Marriage Ceremonial Beliefs
The beliefs of Roman Catholic Christianity can be clearly expressed through the marriage ceremony. The Marriage ceremony is valued and it expresses Christianity as a significant rite to passage for those who marry. The marriage ceremony in any religion is very sacred. The Roman Catholic see matrimony as an important sacrament of the Church; in fact matrimony is one of only seven sacraments identified by the Roman Catholic denomination. Roman Catholics have many elements in the marriage ceremony such as the Opening Rite, the Liturgy of the Word, the Marriage Vows, the Exchange of Rings, the Blessing and the Concluding Rite. These elements and the symbols that are used in the marriage ceremonies are the indicators to the beliefs of the Christian tradition.
Roman Catholics consider the union created through the ceremony of marriage to be a divine institution. The ceremony is conducted in the presence of God and the priest who is the witness before the community. The Bible begins with a story of the creation of man and woman as partners made in the image of God. The marriage vows make an affirmation the Christian belief that marriage is a long life commitment. The marriage being circular, symbolizes that love has no end. The candle describes the light of Christ. In the Orthodox denomination, the husband and wife are the king and the queen of the family which pictures the kingdom of God. Therefore, a Christian marriage is a sacred commitment, a long life commitment, a faithful relationship, a vocation and the foundation of the family.
Roman Catholics consider the union created through the ceremony of marriage to be a divine institution. The ceremony is conducted in the presence of God and the priest who is the witness before the community. The Bible begins with a story of the creation of man and woman as partners made in the image of God. The marriage vows make an affirmation the Christian belief that marriage is a long life commitment. The marriage being circular, symbolizes that love has no end. The candle describes the light of Christ. In the Orthodox denomination, the husband and wife are the king and the queen of the family which pictures the kingdom of God. Therefore, a Christian marriage is a sacred commitment, a long life commitment, a faithful relationship, a vocation and the foundation of the family.