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The Sacrament of Holy Matrimony

Holy Matrimony in the Reformed Catholic Church

Holy Matrimony celebrates the lifelong, loving union of two consenting adults. In the Reformed Catholic Church, marriage is open to couples of any gender identity or sexual orientation. Partners may also have been previously married and divorced — no annulment is required.

In this sacrament, the couple themselves are the ministers. A bishop, priest, or deacon must witness the marriage for it to be both sacramentally and legally valid in the United States. Clergy also provide guidance and support throughout the preparation and celebration process.

Marriages may be celebrated at any time and location that works for the couple and the clergy witness. The ceremony may take place within a Mass, on Sunday or another day, depending on the couple’s background and preferences.

A sacramentally valid marriage includes three essential parts:

1. Both partners freely declare their intent to marry.
2. The couple exchanges vows and rings.
3. The clergy witness blesses the union and signs the legal marriage license, ensuring all required signatures are completed and submitted to civil authorities.

Couples are welcome to include cultural, religious, or family traditions in their celebration, as appropriate.

For information on obtaining a marriage license in the State of Florida, please Click Here.

The Sacrament of Holy Orders

Holy Orders (also referred to as Ordination) is the celebration wherein a man or woman, having heard the Lord’s call, is consecrated and blessed to serve the people of God with their lives as a minister in the Lord’s own image. The three Holy Orders in the Church are the Episcopacy (i.e. bishops), the Presbyterate (i.e. priests) and the Diaconate (i.e. deacons). 

The minister of Holy Orders in the celebration of priesthood and diaconate is the Diocesan Bishop. Only a bishop may ordain priests and deacons. For the consecration of a bishop, a minimum of three bishops sharing in verified apostolic succession are required.

Holy Orders in the Reformed Catholic Church

Holy Orders, also known as Ordination, is the sacramental celebration in which a man or woman responds to God’s call to serve the Church as a minister of Christ. The Reformed Catholic Church recognizes three Holy Orders: Episcopacy (bishops), Presbyterate (priests), and Diaconate (deacons).

Only a bishop may ordain priests and deacons. For the consecration of a bishop, at least three bishops with verified apostolic succession must participate.

The celebration of Holy Orders includes several key moments:

• The candidate is presented after the proclamation of Scripture.
• The bishop offers a homily or instruction.
• The Holy Spirit is invoked, followed by the Litany of the Saints.
• The bishop(s) lay hands on the candidate and pray the consecration prayer.
• The newly ordained minister is vested with the garments and symbols of their office.

In the Reformed Catholic Church, celibacy is optional. Clergy may marry before or after ordination.

Holy Orders may be celebrated within a Mass or as a standalone liturgy, depending on the context and pastoral needs. The celebration of all three Holy Orders has several parts. After the scriptures have been proclaimed, the candidates are called and presented to the ordaining prelate/s. After a short homily or instruction by the bishop, the invocation of the Holy Spirit takes place. This followed by the Litany of the Saints.  The candidate then receives the laying on of hands by the bishop(s). The Bishop prays the prescribed prayer of consecration. The new minister is invested with the vestments and appointments appropriate to their order. 

The discipline of celibacy for priests and other clergy of the Reformed Catholic Church is optional. Clergy may marry either before or after ordination.