CATHOLIC MARRIAGE PREPARATION COURSE, CMPC
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What is The Sacrament of Matrimony
The Sacrament of Matrimony in the Catholic Church is a very important state of life for those who choose it. It presupposes a high degree of maturity and an understanding and acceptance of human factors in yourself and in the one you love. This matrimonial covenant derives its origin from creation and its grace from God; and for the Catholic faithful, it is very significant because this Sacrament has also been raised to a higher dignity of primordial form and holiness, and is one of the 7 Sacraments of the Catholic Church.
Being Catholic in nature, the Sacrament also calls for a commitment to love as Christ loves, which is Freely, Totally, Faithfully and Fruitfully; and this is where the Church comes in with the Catholic Marriage Preparation Course (CMPC) (please refer to procedure point no. 2.) to prepare couples for a lifetime of love.
Because of the sacredness and indissolubility of marriage, CMPC is compulsory for Catholics getting married in the Catholic Church (even when only one party is Catholic).
“A marriage that is desired, prepared for and celebrated, and lives daily in the light of faith is that which is joined by the Church, strengthened by a sacrificial offering, sealed by a blessing, announced by Angels and ratified by the Father…How wonderful, the bond of two believers; one in hope, one in vow, one in discipline, one in the same service! Indeed they are two in one flesh.” (quote from “Order of Celebrating Matrimony” by the Episcopal Regional Liturgy Commission, Bishops’ Conference of Malaysia, Singapore, Brunei, 2015.)
