Sacraments

The policy of the Church states, “We the faith community to which you belong, care about you and your future success in marriage; we want to help you in growth of your relationship to each other and to God. Our goal is to assist you to prepare not just for your wedding day, but for your married life together.” This policy establishes definite diocesan norms and guidelines for marriage preparation. This common policy for marriage preparation is not intended to make it difficult for couples to marry in the Catholic Church. Rather, it recognizes the seriousness of marriage and the responsibility of a caring Church to help couples prepare adequately for a community of life and love together.

I. NOTIFICATION TO THE PARISH PRIEST

As a minimum requirement couples must contact the parish priest at least 4 months before their wedding date.

II. THE PARISH PRIEST

The parish priest who will witness the marriage has the responsibility to make a two-fold assessment:
1. The couple’s readiness for marriage.
2. The level of faith of the Catholic parties. A wedding date may be scheduled during the initial meeting with the priest. However, the couple is advised that if serious reasons surface later, the priest may delay the wedding until the matter is resolved.

III. THE PREPARATION PROCESS

The proximate preparation for marriage consists of three steps: 1. One initial session with the parish priest. 2. Participation in one of the available marriage preparation Programs. 3. Final session with the priest. A minimum of 8 hours is to be spent in the formal preparation for marriage. Couples seeking to validate their marriage or who seek to enter a second marriage should follow the preparation.

IV. REASONS FOR DELAY OF THE MARRIAGE

The Church holds that the right to marry is an important natural right. However it is not an unrestricted one. There can be serious reasons for delaying the marriage:
1. Refusal of the couple to take part in the process of preparation for marriage.

2. Non-practice of the Catholic faith by the Catholic party or parties with no intention of returning to the practice of the faith. This may also include the lack of intention to provide religious education in the Catholic faith for children of this marriage.

3. Inability of the couple to contract a valid marriage (e.g. denial of permanence of marriage, or other canonical impediments).
4. Serious lack of maturity as assessed by the priest.
5. Teenagers under 19 years of age: such couples must receive individual evaluative counseling before the marriage can be arranged in accord with the policy of the Diocese of Fresno.

6. Separation of the couple for an extended period before or after the wedding.
7. Non-Fulfillment of the requirements of Church law.

V. ASSESSMENT OF READINESS FOR MARRIAGE

1. Couples may enter marriage with major problems that can lead to possible marriage failure. This could even render the marriage invalid. It is the responsibility of the priest to be sensitive to such a possibility.

2. If a major obstacle to marriage is discovered, the priest will make the decision if there is to be a delay of the wedding after proper consultation and evaluation.

3. If the wedding is delayed, the couple has the right to appeal the decision to the Bishop.

VI. POSTPONEMENT OF MARRIAGE

In the event that the marriage is postponed by the decision of the priest, every effort will be made by the priest to help the couple overcome the specific circumstances that made the delay advisable. If the couple decides to marry outside the Church, they must be advised that the Church cannot approve of their action. However every effort should be made to ensure that the doors of communication be left open for future reconciliation. A priest may not proceed with a marriage postponed by another priest without the approval of the Bishop.

VII. INTERFAITH MARRIAGES

Faith and religious practice are meant to be a source of unity in marriage. When a Catholic marries a non-Catholic, special attention is required so that the difference in faith does not become a cause of conflict and division. An interfaith marriage may not have two religious ceremonies or use both rites in a single ceremony celebrated jointly or successively. With the permission of the Bishop, a non- Catholic minister may be invited to participate in the Catholic marriage service. The Catholic party in an interfaith marriage will be asked to make an explicit promise that everything possible will be done to see that the children of the marriage will be baptized and educated in the Catholic faith. The non-Catholic party will be informed of the Catholic party’s obligation to preserve and practice the Catholic faith.

VIII. NON-PRACTICING CATHOLICS

The same procedure as for an interfaith marriage is required when a non-practicing Catholic requests the sacrament of marriage.
 

IX. PREGNANCY

Pregnancy before marriage does not mean an exception to the norms of marriage preparation as outlined in the policy. It is even more important to the success of such marriages that the established procedures be followed. The priest should discuss the situation with both sets of parents in all cases of this kind if it is possible to do so without violating confidence. While the Church views such situations with great compassion it should not be presumed that marriage is the only appropriate solution.

X. REQUIRED DOCUMENTS (A Marriage License is regulated by the State of California and is needed unless the couple is already married.)

1. A certificate of Baptism must be submitted for each baptized party. The certificate for the Catholic must be issued within 6 months of the date of marriage.

2. A certificate of First Communion and/or Confirmation must be submitted.1
3. If either party is a widow or a widower a certificate of the death of the former spouse must be submitted.

4. Banns of marriage should be announced in the proper churches. Banns may be announced for interfaith marriages if there is no danger of scandal.

XI. LOCATION OF MARRIAGE

1. Marriage should take place in the parish church of one of the parties.

2. Weddings in private homes, “out-doors” or in wedding chapels are not permitted in this Diocese.

XII. Couples who are civilly married or living together before matrimony have the following adaptations:
1. At least one of the couple must be baptized Catholic. Any other Sacraments of Initiation cannot be received until after their marriage

is blessed.

2. A marriage license is not needed if the couple is already civilly married.

Can. 1065 §1 Catholics who have not yet received the Sacrament of Confirmation are to receive it before being admitted to marriage, if this can be done without grave inconvenience.

CAN. 917 One who has received the blessed Eucharist may receive it again on the same day only within a Eucharistic celebration in which that person participates.

CAN. 919.1 Whoever is to receive the blessed Eucharist is to abstain for at least one hour before Holy Communion from all food and drink, with the sole exception of water and medicine.

CAN. 919.3 The elderly and those who are suffering from some illness, as well as those who care for them, may receive the blessed Eucharist even if within the preceding hour they have consumed something.

FOR INFANT BAPTISM

1. Infants should be baptized soon after birth, but sufficient time is necessary for the proper instruction.

2. Children who are seven years of age or older must receive instruction in the Church before being baptized. (cf Adult Sacraments of Initiation)

3. The ordinary place for baptism is in the parish church of the parents.

4. One of the parents or a legal guardian must request baptism.

5. There must be a founded hope that the child baptized will be brought up in the Catholic religion.

6. Godparents must have received Baptism, Confirmation and the Holy Eucharist, should be at least 16 years of age, and should be practicing Catholics who are able to give the example of a good Catholic life. If either godparent is married, he/she must be married by the Catholic Church. There are normally to be two godparents, one man and one woman.

7. A baptized non-Catholic may not be a godparent but may be an official witness to the baptism, as long as there is one Catholic godparent.

8. A baptized Catholic who has not completed the Sacraments of initiation may not be a witness to a baptism.

9. Baptism is not to be conferred until parents and godparents have attended pre-baptismal instruction. The responsibilities of parents and godparents are to be reviewed, as well as preparation for the celebration of the rite of baptism.
 

FOR ADULT SACRAMENT OF INITIATION

The norm established by the Church (1972) for the preparation of adults and children who have reached the age or reason to be received into the Church calls for a communal and gradual initiation into the mystery of Christ.

1. An adult who seeks baptism into the Church is to be admitted to the “Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults” (R.C.I.A.), which should be part of every parish. This is normally done by speaking personally with the priest of the parish in which one lives. Children who have reached the age of reason are to be admitted to the “Rite of Christian Initiation for Children.”

2. An adult who has already received Christian baptism but not in the Catholic Church and wishes to be received into the Catholic Church is to follow the stages as set forth in the same rite as a candidate for reception into full communion.

3. All participating in the R.C.I.A are to be confirmed immediately after receiving baptism or after being received into full communion. They are to fully participate in the celebration of the Eucharist which includes the reception of Holy Communion. This takes place normally during the Easter Vigil service.

4. The sponsors of an adult, in addition to fulfilling the same requirements as for a sponsor of an infant, are encouraged to accompany the catechumen/candidate through the stages of preparation for the sacraments of initiation.

5. Adults who are ba[tized Catholic and catechized should not be included in the RCIA proess, but can undergo a shortened process to prepare them for the Sacrament of Confirmation and/0r First Holy Communion>

A two-year catechesis of preparation is required. It is recommended that parents of children also attend a program of catechesis and doctrinal preparation.

The catechesis for the initial reception of the Sacrament of Penance is to be separated from the catechesis for First Eucharist so that the child will clearly distinguish between the two sacraments. The beginning

catechesis for penance is to precede the reception of First Eucharist. The reception of First Penance is to be separated by several months from the reception of First Eucharist.

Candidates for Confirmation must be at least 16 years of age at the time he/she receives confirmation regardless of grade in school. A two- year catechesis of preparation is required and should integrate elements of Bible study, community, liturgy and service.

The sponsor for the candidate is to act as a true witness of Christ and faithfully fulfill the obligation inherent in this sacrament. The Church recommends that the sponsor for confirmation be the same sponsor that the candidate had at baptism.

A sponsor must be a confirmed Catholic, who has already received the sacrament of the Most Holy Eucharist; at least 16 years of age and have the intention of carrying out the duties of a godparent. If either godparent is married, he/she must be married by the Catholic Church. It is desirable that the one who undertook the role of sponsor at baptism be the sponsor for confirmation.

Parents may not be sponsors for their children, but may present them for the sacrament.

CAN. 1176.1 Christ’s faithful who have died are to be given a Church funeral according to the norms of law.

CAN. 1176.2 Church funerals are to be celebrated according to the norms of the liturgical books. In these funeral rites the Church prays for the spiritual support of the dead, it honors their bodies, and at the same time it brings to the living the comfort of hope.

CAN. 1176.3 The Church earnestly recommends that the pious custom of burial be retained; but it does not forbid cremation, unless this is chosen for reasons which are contrary to Christian teaching.

DIOCESAN GUIDELINES

As a general rule, Catholics are to be buried in a Catholic cemetery. Some exceptions are:

A) ownership in good faith of a grave in a secular cemetery (for example, a convert who had purchased a grave before conversion);

B) burial of a veteran in a national cemetery;

C) when no Catholic cemetery is available.

A non-Catholic may be buried in a Catholic cemetery if he or she is a member of a Catholic family, such as party to a mixed marriage or close relative of a Catholic.

Eulogies:

Eulogies are more appropriate when they take place at the Vigil Service, cemetery, or family gathering after the burial (venue). When the family has opted not to have a Vigil Service, then the eulogy should take place

at the cemetery. When the family has made the decision not to have a Vigil Service or burial, it’s permissible to have a brief eulogy prior to the Funeral Mass with a period of silence between the end of the eulogy and the beginning of Mass, as to make a distinction between both actions. It is the perogative of the pastor to request a copy of the eulogy for his review and approval.

Cremation: Consultation with a parish priest is advisable before completing arrangements for cremation and burial.

GUIDELINES REGARDING CREMATION

Although cremation is now permitted, Catholic teaching continues to stress the preference for burial or entombment of the body of the deceased. When cremation is chosen for serious reasons, the following guidelines have been promulgated by the Bishop of our diocese.

1. The body of the deceased should be present for its funeral rites;

2. When circumstances prevent the presence of the body at the funeral liturgy, it is appropriate that the cremated remains of the body be present for the full course of the funeral rites; placed in a worthy vessel on the spot usually occupied by the coffin.

3. As usual, the funeral liturgy should always be celebrated in a church.

4. The cremated remains should be reverently buried or entombed in a cemetery or mausoleum. (The practice of scattering cremated remains on the sea, from the air, or on the ground, or keeping cremated remains in home of a relative or friend is not in accord with Church practice.)

5. If at all possible, the place of entombment should be marked with a plaque or stone memorializing the deceased.

CAN. 1249 All Christ’s faithful are obliged by divine law, each in his or her own way, to do penance. However, so that all may be joined together in a certain common practice of penance, days of penance are prescribed. On these days the faithful are in a special manner to devote themselves to prayer, to engage in works of piety and charity, and to deny themselves, by fulfilling their obligations more faithfully and especially by observing the fast and abstinence which the following canons prescribe.

CAN. 1250 The days and time of penance for the universal Church are each Friday of the whole year and the season of Lent.

CAN. 1251 Abstinence from meat is to be observed on all Fridays of Lent. Abstinence and fasting are to be observed on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday.

CAN. 1252 The law of abstinence binds those who have completed their fourteenth year. The law of fasting binds those who have attained their majority (18 years of age), until the beginning of their sixtieth year. Pastors of souls and parents are to ensure that even those who by reason of their age are not bound by the law of fasting and abstinence, are taught the true meaning of penance.

Holy days of obligations are the following:
August 15, the Feast of the Assumption
November 1, the Feast of All Saints
December 8, Feast of the Immaculate Conception
December 25, Christmas

Regarding obligation status, when August 15 and November 1, fall on a Saturday or Monday, it is NOT an obligatory feast, only a solemn feast. The faithful are not required to attend Mass.

December 8, feast of the Immaculate Conception, patroness of the United States, is always an obligatory feast, regardless of the day it falls on. This goes also for Christmas Day, December 25.

January 1, Solemnity of Mary, the Mother of God is NOT a holy day of obligation in the Province of Los Angeles, to which Fresno belongs.

Also, Ascension Thursday is now celebrated on the Seventh Sunday of Easter.