Weddings

- Sacraments & Mass

"Your mission then is first of all a service of love. Of this love marriage is the reality and the mysterious sign. "God created humankind in his own image and likeness; calling them to existence through love, he called them at the same time for love. God is love and in himself he lives a mystery, of personal loving communion" ( Familiaris consortio, no. 11).

As a sacrament marriage is a mysterious sign. An indissoluble bond unites the spouses, just as in the one love Christ and the Church are united (see Eph 5:32-33).

According to God's design marriage finds its completion in the family of which it is the origin and foundation, and the mutual giving of the spouses blossoms into the gift of life, that is, in the begetting of those who, loving their parents, return their love to them, and express its depth (see Familiaris consortio, no. 14).

The Council saw marriage as a covenant of love (see GS, no. 48). This covenant is "freely and consciously chosen, whereby man and woman accept the intimate community of life and love willed by God himself" ( Familiaris consortio, no. 11). Speaking here of love, we cannot reduce it to a love involving only the senses, to a passing attraction, to erotic sensation, to sexual impulse, to sentimental love, to the simple joy of living.

Love is essentially a gift. Speaking of the act of love the Council envisages an act of giving, which is one, decisive, irrevocable because it is a total giving which wants to be and to remain mutual and fruitful. " Address of John Paul II To the Tribunal of the Roman Rota 1/28/82

Congratulations on your decision to get married at San Fernando Cathedral,
to check availability please contact:

Ms. Veronica Alvarez
Wedding Coordinator

San Fernando Cathedral
231 W. Commerce
San Antonio, TX 78205
Phone: (210) 227-1297 x131
Fax (210) 271-0149
E-mail: valvarez@sfcathedral.org
Requirements
There are specific requirements in order to be married in the Catholic Church.
To gain a better understanding please visit:

United States Conference of Catholic Bishops F.A.Q. on Marriage

and Getting Married in the Catholic Church

According to Church Law (Canon Law, Canon 1065):
1. If they can do so without serious inconvenience, Catholics who have not yet received the sacrament of confirmation are to receive it before being admitted to marriage.
2. It is strongly recommended that those to be married approach the sacraments of penance and the Most Holy Eucharist so that they may fruitfully receive the sacrament of marriage.
The National Conference of Catholic Bishops, in accord with the prescriptions of canon 1067 and with due regard for canon 1068, hereby decrees that the following norms shall be observed in preparation of a couple for marriage:
1. The couple should receive appropriate education and pastoral preparation
  through participation in a marriage preparation program approved by the
  diocesan bishop;
2. Parties should be questioned as to their freedom to marry;
3. Baptized Catholics should present a recently issued annotated baptismal certificate;
4. Where necessary, additional documentation (such as affidavits of parents) attesting to a Catholic party's freedom to marry should be presented;
5. Baptized non-Catholics should present satisfactory proof of baptism and freedom to marry;
6. Unbaptized persons should present satisfactory proof of freedom to marry;
7. Preparation for marriage should be in conformity with the prescriptions of canon 1063 (regarding what must precede marriage) and canons 1064, 1071, 1072, 1086§2 and 1125, which entrust certain situations to the special care of local ordinaries;
8. Preparation for marriage should be in compliance with appropriate civil laws.
Please note that there is a recommened preparation process of one year prior to a wedding date.
Wedding Schedule

Weddings are held on Saturdays at: 12:00 p.m. 2:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.
Wedding Reception Venues

Planning a wedding reception? The Venues at San Fernando have two venues conveniently located near San Fernando Cathedral (San Fernando Hall and Cathedral Centre Café). For more information call 210-576-1365 or email: events@sfcathedral.org