Marriage
Marriage is a very important Sacrament in the Church and as such there are requirements necessary for having a marriage in the Catholic Church.
Those anticipating marriage should contact a priest or deacon at least 7-12 months prior to their intended date of marriage.
Important! Do Not Schedule a banquet hall until you personally meet with the St. Stephen's priest or deacon who will perform the Marriage ritual.
There is no doubt that you'll have a ton of questions about everything. Fear not, your clergy at St. Stephen the Martyr will assist you in every step and be able to answer all your questions.
If you are interested in celebrating your Marriage at St. Stephen the Martyr Church,
please click below to download the Marriage Letter and Information Form PDF.
Marriage Letter and Information Form PDF
(Please fill it out and return to the Parish Office)
St Stephen Wedding Guidelines PDF (Additional Information about getting married at St. Stephens)
Catholic Wedding Planning Checklist PDF
(This is great for planning a Catholic Wedding, no matter where you get married)
Archdiocese of Atlanta - Prenuptial Witness Affidavit - St Stephen the Martyr PDF
Marriage Preparation
Marriage Preparation Workshop. The Joy-Filled Marriage program is offered in two parts which must be taken on two separate Saturdays: Living a Joy-Filled Marriage, and God’s Plan for a Joy-Filled Marriage. Both programs are concomitantly offered at the Chancery on the Saturdays listed below. Both need to be attended in order to receive the marriage certificate, which will be given after attendance of the second part, God’s Plan for a Joy-Filled Marriage.
Archdiocese of Atlanta - Joy Filled Marriage Program webpage
Catholic Engaged Encounter (CEE) - https://engagedencounter.com/
Here is a sample communication exercise from CEE for couples preparing for Marriage:
Guidelines for Managing Conflict.pdf
For Your Marriage Website - This website contains reliable advice on preparing for marriage well. Here you’ll find guidance on dating, great conversations to have when things get serious, tips on wedding planning, and more. You’ll also find real-life reflections by dating or engaged couples, advice from the Pope, and book recommendations for this exciting time in your life. This website helps couples at all stages of life to understand and live God's plan for happy, holy marriages.
Natural Family Planning: Click to download PDF -> NFP Called to the Joy of Love.pdf
USCCB Natural Family Planning Website
Marriage Convalidation
Bringing your Marriage Into the Church - Convalidation of Civil Marriages.
Are you married Civilly, but not in a Catholic Ceremony? The Church very much wants to assist couples who want to enter into valid Catholic marriage, and it offers them pastoral and spiritual support as they need it. When these couples are ready and free to do so, they celebrate what is called a convalidation, from the Latin word meaning “to firm up” or “to strengthen.”
This is sometimes referred to as the blessing of a marriage. It is important to realize that a convalidation is not merely a renewal of vows made previously, but is a new act of consent by each spouse. This new act of consent is essential to marriage, and the words that the couple expresses are the outward sign of the gift of self that they exchange.
The Catholic Church invites you to bring new meaning to your lives by embracing the vocation of marriage and dedicating your families mission to sharing God's love.
Click to download PDF -> Convalidation Information.pdf
Atlanta Metropolitan Tribunal - Annulments
Click to download PDF -> Understanding the Annulment Process PDF
Help For Divorced Catholics
100% Catholic divorce support programs to help you recover, rebuild and renew your life after divorce. https://divorcedcatholic.com/
Papal Blessing
Papal Blessing parchments are granted for the following:
1. Baptism, First Holy Communion, Confirmation (only for single person)
2. Marriage
3. Priestly Ordination
4. Religious Profession
5. Ordination of Permanent Deacons
6. Anniversary (10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80 years) of Marriage*, Priestly Ordination, Religious Profession
7. Birthday (18, 30, 40, 50, 55, 60, 65,70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 95, 100 years)*
