Guidelines for Marriage 

A baptized Catholic-Christian is bound to marry within what the Church calls canonical form. Canonical form means a baptized-Catholic man or woman must have their marriage witnessed by a Catholic priest or deacon within a Catholic parish church in order for their marriage bond to be cemented within a valid marriage.

If a baptized Catholic-Christian was married outside of canonical form without permission granted by the bishop, their legal marriage should be validated. The baptized Catholic-Christian or the couple can begin this journey by meeting with their parish priest. 

In addition to canonical form, a baptized Catholic-Christian and his and her fiancee must both come to the parish church on the day of their marriage freely. Neither the bride or groom should approach the altar and stand before God forced to enter the covenant of marriage. Marriage must be freely chosen by both the man and the woman. 

The couple should also approach the altar and stand before God with the proper intention of marriage. The man and woman must both be freely choosing with their own mind and heart to enter a marriage that is for life, that requires both of them to be faithful to their spouse in an exclusive relationship of love, and they must both be open to their love being fruitful through the gift of a child. 

This proper intention with freedom is necessary for a cemented bond and valid marriage too. 

Suitably Instructed 

In order to prepare for the Sacrament of Marriage, one will have an opportunity to learn about the Sacrament and how the grace of the Sacrament will help one to live out their vocation of charity as a husband or wife.  

They will have this opportunity thanks to a two-part retreat at the Sacre-Coeur Retreat Center held over a weekend. This two-day retreat focuses on the theology of marriage and some practical skills for living together as partners for life. 

A number of individual meetings will also take place between the couple and the parish priest. They will meet together to follow-up about things learned at the retreat, to plan their wedding day, and discuss a premarital inventory completed by the couple. This premarital inventory is an assessment which utilizes a series of questions designed to assess each of the individual's habits, expectations for marriage, and values.

Properly Disposed 

A baptized Catholic-Christian should open themselves up to the grace of the Sacrament of Marriage by receiving the Sacrament of Reconciliation. One could talk to their parish priest and receive the Sacrament on their wedding day. 

A baptized Catholic-Christian should prepare as well for the Sacrament of Marriage by regularly participating at Sunday Mass ideally with their fiancee. 

Want to have your marriage witnessed at our parish church?

You are welcome to contact our parish priest to set-up an initial meeting. This will be a wonderful encounter meant to help our parish priest get to know you and answer any initial questions you and your fiancee might have about preparing for the Sacrament. 

Marriages are traditionally witnessed by our parish priest on Saturdays, but you are able to explore the possibility of a marriage on a weekday such as a Friday or Monday. 

Saturday marriages witnessed with the Liturgy of the Word and the Liturgy of the Eucharist are normally celebrated at 1PM. Marriages celebrated without the Liturgy of the Eucharist can be celebrated as late at 2PM. 

A rehearsal normally takes place on Friday at a time convenient fore the bride, groom, their families, and wedding party. You usually determine the time based on people’s ability to arrive at the church and the time needed to drive to the place for the rehearsal dinner. Rehearsals normally last 45 minutes.    

The Parish of Saint Ann has an excellent organist who would love to be a part of your wedding day, and we have a cantor who would be available as well to assist us in lifting our hearts and minds to God in prayer with and for you. 

The organist and cantor customarily receive a stipend of $200 each. 

The parish church customarily receives a stipend too. A suggested stipend for a couple who doesn’t normally help steward the Parish of Saint Ann through Sunday donations is $600. A suggested stipend for a couple who does steward the Parish of Saint Ann through Sunday donations is $300. 

We look forward to accompanying you on your final steps towards receiving the Sacrament of Matrimony within the Church community made present at the Parish of Saint Ann and recommend that you contact us at least 9 months prior to your desired wedding date. We are located just one mile from the Warehouse District in Peoria with easy access to a number of popular venues.