Liturgy of the Sacrament of Marriage in Lithuania in Wiłkawiszska Diocese

Abstract

The matrimonial covenant by which a man and a woman establish between themselves a partnership of the whole of life is not a legal arrangement. In the Catholic Church it has been raised to the dignity of a sacrament between the baptized. The teaching of the Church is unambiguous that marriage is a divine institution. It is therefore referred to as ‛covenant’ instead of the former ‛contract’. This is a sacrament, which to assist at marriage must be an appropriate external form – requires a liturgical rite. Therefore, the ecclesiastical legislator formulated a rule regarding the form of the celebration of marriage. Based on the author’s sociological and pastoral research, the study explores the practical side of celebration of marriage in Wiłkawiszska Diocese.