"Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh"
Genesis 2:24
​​Matrimony is one of the two sacraments of service. Married couples promise to serve each other with love and to serve the whole Church. They enter into a lifelong covenant of love. This is their vocation and they serve the Church by their love. When they give birth to children, they share in God's creation in a special way. In marriage, God gives a man and woman the grace and blessings to build a Christian family together. The church celebrates the call to love in a special way in the sacrament of Matrimony.

The Sacrament of Matrimony is a calling from God, where a man and woman are joined together in a life-long union of procreative love. The creator set up this union from the very beginning by the way in which He created men and women. Jesus taught that the nature of marriage itself reflects the indivisible unity of the love of God.​​

Marriage Preparation Requirement
​The movement toward this life choice, the union of marriage, requires careful consideration and spiritual reparation.

​WHAT YOU NEED TO DO       
If you wish to marry within the Catholic Church, please contact our Administrative Assistant at 403.275.2240 ext. 1 at least six months prior to the desired date of marriage to ensure suitable arrangements and preparation can be made.  The initial meeting is important as it will cover several areas such as the wedding date (venue and time), review the other requirements, and the marriage preparation course to be taken.

If one of the parties has been married before, this will require further consultation. Couples in this circumstance should contact the Church at least one (1) year before the proposed wedding and bring all related documents (divorce / annulment documents) to the first meeting with the Priest/Deacon.

MARRIAGE PREPARATION COURSE
The Diocese of Calgary requires all couples who wish to marry to take a marriage preparation course prior to the wedding. It is a necessary requirement in order for the parish to allow the marriage to take place.

At least four (4) months before the wedding, the wedding parties need to attend a Marriage Preparation Course or Workshop. Engaged couples may complete the marriage preparation program through Ascension Parish by contacting Ferdie Gayos: ​[email protected]​

​DOCUMENTS REQUIRED
  • Baptism Certificate for The Purpose of Marriage:
​         Baptismal Certificates for the Catholic parties are required and should be brought to the initial interview. Six (6)
          months before the marriage contact your Church of Baptism to request a “Baptism Certificate for the Purpose of
          Marriage” which has pertinent notations to conform with the diocesan requirement to establish freedom to marry.  
          The non-Catholic party also needs to present a document to establish his/her religious affiliation.
  • Marriage License:
         A Government Marriage License can be obtained at any Alberta Registry Office and expires ninety (90) days after    
         date of issue. The license must be submitted to the Parish Office at least thirty (30) days before the ceremony,
         together with complete legal names and postal addresses of the two (2) witnesses to the marriage (usually the
         maid of honor & best man).
  • Pre-Marriage Preparation Course and Certificate:
          This certificate will be received from the director of your pre-marriage preparation course. It confirms that you
          have successfully completed all the requirements of the program.

If you are looking to enhance or save your marriage,  contact Retrouvaille Calgary​​​