Our Faith

The Sacrament of Holy Matrimony

Christian marriage is a sacrament and a vocation, a sacred sign of God’s love rooted in His divine plan from the dawn of creation. It is a holy call to join one's life with another in a union blessed by grace, reflecting the love of Christ for His Church.

Marriage as Covenant and Sign

Scripture begins with the union of man and woman and culminates in the wedding feast of the Lamb. Marriage has its origin and purpose in God’s design and is renewed in Christ’s covenant with the Church. As a permanent union of persons, marriage is a covenant that serves as a sign of Christ’s own spousal love for the Church, celebrated as a sacred liturgical act.

Adapted from the United States Catholic Catechism for Adults.

Requirements & Preparation

Typical preparation at our parish involves meeting with a priest or deacon at least six months prior to the wedding date. Couples are invited to attend preparation sessions, complete necessary canonical paperwork, and follow diocesan guidelines to ensure a firm spiritual foundation for their marriage.

Living the Sacrament

Married couples are called to reflect Christ’s faithful, fruitful, and lifelong love in their daily lives. By supporting one another, welcoming the gift of life, and serving the Church and the world together, they witness to the beauty of sacrificial love in the heart of the world.

Details & Requirements for Marriage at St. James

To ensure a grace-filled celebration, please contact the church office at least 6 months before your desired ceremony date to begin the sacramental preparation process.

Timeline at a Glance

6 MONTHS BEFORE

Contact the parish office to begin the process no later than 6 months before the ceremony.

10 WEEKS BEFORE

All documents must be submitted no later than 10 weeks before the ceremony.

Preparation & Formation

Parishioner Registration: You must be registered parishioners of St James for at least 6 months and be attending Mass regularly.
Priest Meeting & Interview: Scheduled meetings and a formal canonical interview with the presiding priest or deacon.
Marriage Preparation Workshop: Attend a required one-day Diocesan marriage workshop (you can sign up on the Diocese website) and submit the completion certificate to the parish office.

Legal & Final Documentation

Affidavit Freedom to Marry (Form B) Witness Forms: Both the bride and the groom must provide two completed witness forms (four total) confirming their freedom to marry. These forms should ideally be completed by their respective parents; however, if a parent is unavailable, a close family member may serve as a witness. Please ensure that all forms are signed in the presence of a Public Notary or a Priest.
Civil Marriage License or Certificate: To provide proof of legal standing, please submit a Marriage License from your local court if you are not currently civilly married. If you have already been married in a civil ceremony, a copy of your Marriage Certificate is required instead.

Canonical Requirements

Sacramental Certificates: Updated copies of Baptism, First Communion, and Confirmation certificates issued within the last 6 months from both the bride and groom.
Mixed Marriages: To celebrate the marriage as a Sacrament, the non-Catholic party must have been baptized in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Please submit a baptismal certificate to the parish office to fulfill this requirement. Without a Christian baptism, the union is considered an invalid marriage rather than a Sacramental one.

Previous marriages

If a previous marriage was Catholic: You must provide a Decree of Nullity (Annulment).
If a previous marriage was civil (outside the Church): You must provide a Decree of Lack of Canonical Form.

Note: Both of the above documents can be obtained by contacting the Tribunal Department of the Diocese of Raleigh.

If a previous marriage ended due to a spouse’s death: You must provide a copy of the Death Certificate.

Wedding Ceremony Details

As you prepare for this joyful day, we invite you to prayerfully consider the following details of your wedding liturgy. These guidelines are designed to help you prepare a ceremony that is both a beautiful celebration of your love and a sacred encounter with the divine grace of the sacrament.

If in the case...

If the couple would like another Parish Priest to officiate the wedding: Please inform the St. James Priest so that a Letter of Delegation can be provided.
If the couple would like to be married outside of the church: Please inform the St. James Priest so that a Letter of Permission can be provided.
If the couple hired a choir for the ceremony: If you choose to bring an outside choir, they must be familiar with liturgical music and capable of performing the Responsorial Psalm. Their music list must be submitted for approval before the ceremony. Alternatively, you may contact a parish choir member to check their availability. Please note that a donation should be provided to the parish choir, as the church does not compensate them for their time.

Before the Ceremony

Preparation of heart and mind is key as you prepare for this sacrament.

Paperwork: All documentation must be finalized 10 weeks prior.
Donation: Once the date is confirmed, the total church donation is $500 and must be given at least 2 weeks before the ceremony.
State of Grace: We strongly recommend Confession for the couple. We have confessions every Saturday from 4:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Rehearsal: Scheduled the practice before the wedding. The couple, the witnesses, and all readers must attend. Please contact the parish office to schedule this date with the Priest.

Marriage is a holy sacrament—a life-long covenant that serves as a beautiful sign of Christ’s unconditional love for His Church. We are honored to walk with you on this journey.

The Holy Liturgy

Transforms a wedding into a sacred sacrament, sealing the couple's union through divine grace.

Scripture Selection: If the couple wishes, you have the option to select the First Reading, Responsorial Psalm, Second Reading, and Gospel. Please visit the parish office for more details on the approved options.
Lectors (Readers): You may invite two people to serve as the First and Second Readers during the Mass. If you would like copies of the readings for them to practice, please contact the office. If you do not have your own readers, the church will provide them for your ceremony.
Sacred Music: Hymns should reflect the holy nature of the sacrament.
The Gospel and Universal Prayer intentions are always proclaimed by the Priest.

Practical Details

Respect for the sanctuary ensures a beautiful flow for your celebration.

Decorations: Natural flower arrangements are permitted. However, no adhesives (glue or heavy-duty tape) may be used on the pews. The altar must remain unobstructed, and throwing rice or petals is strictly prohibited both inside and outside the church.
Dress Code: Proper attire is essential to show respect for Jesus Christ. The bride’s gown must not have low-cut necklines in the front or back. This modest dress code also applies to the bridal party and all guests. Miniskirts and dresses with side slits reaching the waist are not permitted.

At St. James the Greater Catholic Church, our Holy Matrimony preparations and celebrations adhere to the General Norms of the Diocese of Raleigh.

Ready to Begin?

We are honored to walk with your family as you prepare for this joyful milestone. To begin the process or ask specific questions regarding your circumstances, please contact the Parish Office.