Not just a wedding, a vocation
In our culture marriage is often described as a contract, a partnership, or a romantic milestone. The Catholic Church holds it as something larger and more demanding. Marriage between baptised Christians is a sacrament. It is one of the seven, instituted by Christ, and it makes the husband and wife signs of his love for the Church (Ephesians 5:31-32; Catechism 1601-1605).
That means marriage is not simply a personal choice. It is a vocation. It is a way the Lord calls particular people to holiness, and it is a real and full path to heaven. Bishop Mark Davies named it first in his list of vocations in the 2026 Pastoral Letter, alongside the consecrated life, the priesthood, the diaconate, and the lay vocation in the world.
Today, I want to join Pope Leo in inviting all considering their calling to take these steps to discover their vocation, whether this will be found in Christian Marriage; the Consecrated Life of Sisters or Brothers; the Catholic Priesthood; the service of the Diaconate; or the greatness of the lay vocation lived in the midst of the world.
Source: Vocations Pastoral Letter 2026, dioceseofshrewsbury.org.
What the sacrament does
At a Catholic wedding the bride and groom are themselves the ministers of the sacrament. The priest or deacon witnesses, the Church receives them, and Christ binds what they have given. The Catechism is precise at 1638. From a valid marriage arises a bond between the spouses which by its very nature is perpetual and exclusive. The vows are not a wish. They are a real and lasting work of grace.
The sacrament gives a particular grace for the demands of married life. Patience when patience runs out. Forgiveness when memory wants to keep score. Generosity to children, to the in-laws, to the parish and the wider world. The grace is given, and the grace is for use.
The Marriage and Family Life Office
Shrewsbury Diocese runs a dedicated office to support couples preparing for marriage and those already married. The two contacts you should know are:
- Jane Deegan, Marriage and Family Life, jane.deegan@dioceseofshrewsbury.org
- Monika Golembiewska, Marriage and Family Life, monika.golembiewska@dioceseofshrewsbury.org
They run formation, support parishes, and stand behind the diocesan programmes for engaged and married couples. If your parish priest has not yet pointed you their way, they are happy to be contacted directly.
How preparation works
If you are engaged and want to be married in a Catholic church, the road has a clear shape.
- Speak to your parish priest at least six months before your proposed wedding date. Earlier is better, particularly if either of you has a previous marriage that needs to be examined by the Marriage Tribunal.
- Begin marriage preparation. Several diocesan and approved national programmes are offered. Recent diocesan programmes include the Betrothed Marriage Preparation course running in Chester (June 2026 dates listed on the diocesan news archive).
- Complete the prenuptial enquiry with the parish, gather baptism certificates, and arrange civil notice with the registrar.
- Plan the liturgy with your priest or deacon. Choose readings. Sit with the vows.
The work of preparation is real work. It is also a gift. Most couples who walk it carefully report that the months before the wedding were as formative as the wedding day itself.
The annual Marriage Mass
Each year the Diocese gathers married couples at Shrewsbury Cathedral, the seat of the Bishop, on Town Walls, SY1 1UE, and historically also at St Columba's, Chester, for a Mass of Thanksgiving for the gift of Christian marriage. Couples celebrating significant anniversaries are particularly invited. The Bishop presides. Vows are renewed. Grace is given for the next chapter.
If you are married in this Diocese, this Mass is for you. Watch the news section at dioceseofshrewsbury.org for the date each year.
Marriage and the wider Church
The Bishop's framing matters. Marriage is not a lesser vocation than the priesthood or consecrated life. The 12 men currently in priestly formation in Shrewsbury Diocese serve the whole Church, and Christian marriage is a large part of what they serve. Without strong marriages, there are no strong parishes. Without strong parishes, there are no priests, no deacons, no sisters, no children walking to the altar to be confirmed. Each vocation needs the others.
Your next step
Three concrete things you can do.
- If you are engaged, write to your parish priest this week and ask to begin the preparation process. Then email jane.deegan@dioceseofshrewsbury.org and monika.golembiewska@dioceseofshrewsbury.org to ask which formation programmes are running this season.
- If you are already married, mark the next diocesan Marriage Mass in your diary and bring your spouse.
- If you are single and wondering whether marriage is your vocation, read Tobit chapter 8, the prayer of Tobias and Sarah on their wedding night, and ask the Lord to lead you.
Marriage is a calling, not a lottery. The Lord knows the husband or wife he has in mind for you, and he wants you to be holy together.
