MATRIMONIAL Matrimonial Articles

The engagement ceremony in the Catholic Church, which precedes the wedding, is usually held two to four weeks before the wedding day. The ceremony is held at the parish church in the bride's parish.

The ritual of engagement is significant in that it is the first time that the bride and the groom declare before God of their glorious decision to become united in Him. On the legal side too, this function has tremendous significance, being the formal promise of the bride and the groom to marry each other.

On the engagement day, the groom, his family members, and other invitees arrive at the bride's parish church sometime before the start of the ceremony. The bride or anyone from her side is not yet in the church.

What takes place next is a very beautiful and novel custom - two or three of the groom's sisters / cousin sisters reach the bride's house from the church, and bring the bride to the church along with them in their car! And, in come all the members from the bride's side, following the bride's car, to the church. Most of the invitees, on either side, will now be having the first glimpse of the bride and the groom!

The church ceremony is a short prayer, sometimes followed by a short sermon. The priest then asks both the bride and the groom to declare before God their voluntary decision to be united in Him, to become one according to the will of God. The bride and the groom affirm their choice. An exchange of rings is optional; and more often than not, only the groom gives a ring to the bride. Now, the bride and the groom as well as their witnesses sign the matrimonial register at the church.

The groom's side should collect from the priest a chit that states the engagement to have taken place. This chit is to be handed over to the parish priest in the groom's church without delay.

There may be a photo session now. Next is the reception and lunch (usually). This function may be in the church auditorium or at the bride's house. If this is arranged in the church itself, the groom and his side visit the bride's house and discuss the wedding shopping schedule and any other arrangements.

That's it. The bride and the groom are now engaged. To be united in God...

The wedding shopping is held a couple of days afterwards. This is the time to buy the wedding saris including the 'manthrakodi', and also ornaments, and the groom's dresses. After this day, the bride and the groom usually don't have any chance to meet each other before the wedding day.

The two "stars" can utilize the remaining days before the marriage (longer ones, they might seem!!) for discussions (phone, post, E-mail) on setting up the matrimonial home, how to spend time if one of the two is not employed, etc. Also, these days are the ideal time for an intense personal prayer in the run up to entering a new life.

Copyright © 2003-2005, SyroMalabar.com.  All rights reserved.