Marriage

The Sacrament of Matrimony, or marriage, is a unique sacrament because it is the man and the woman that mutually administers the sacrament upon each other in the presence of a priest or deacon and other witnesses. 

It is a sacred covenant, a public promise made by the husband and the wife to be true to each other until death parts them. In order for a marriage to be valid, the couple must be entering into the covenant out of their own free will, without fear or coercion. They are also asked to honour and be true to each other for the rest of their lives, as well as to accept children lovingly from God and bring them up according to the law of Christ and His Church. 

Initial contact should be made with the Parish Office. The office staff will obtain some preliminary information, schedule the wedding date and arrange all appointments with the pastor. Please note that, like all Catholic parishes in Metro Vancouver, St Francis of Assisi requests that a couple allow at least six months for the preparation process. This process includes meeting with the priest, a premarital program and the preparation of documents for a wedding file.