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Considering the extreme demands of marriage, making the promises of marriage is something that should not be taken lightly. Catholics who marry must have a deep understanding of God’s presence in marriage and the sacredness of the marriage covenant. Referring to marriage, Church canon law states: “This covenant between baptized persons has been raised by Christ the Lord to the dignity of a sacrament” (1055). However, this understanding of marriage has gone through a long period of development.Early Christians were married in civil ceremonies. In the first centuries Christians were influenced by the doctrine of Manichaeism, a heresy that taught that the body was a sinful part of humanity working against the soul, which was good. Sexual intercourse was seen as a weakness of the body and an evil resulting from original sin. In this understanding, marriage was viewed as a lesser state of life than priesthood or religious life. Even in medieval Europe a couple was married on the steps outside of the church, as this lesser notion of marriage prevailed. Gradually this type of thinking changed, and theologians came to realize that everything God made -– including sex -– is good. It wasn’t until the Council of Florence (1438-45) that the Church declared marriage one of the seven sacraments. The Council of Trent (1545-63) confirmed this teaching and ruled that for a marriage to be valid, it must take place in the presence of a priest.The Church interprets Jesus’ presence at the wedding at Cana as a confirmation of the goodness of marriage. Like the other six sacraments, marriage is a sacrament instituted by Christ and is a visible sign of Christ’s presence. In the sacrament of marriage Christ consecrates the spouses for the duties and dignity of their state of life.ENGAGEMENT AND THE FINAL STAGES OF MARRIAGE PREPARATIONThe sacrament of marriage is not a one-time event. The husband and wife live out this sacrament together every day. They continue to bring the presence of Christ to each other through their love. The sacramental graces of matrimony assist and strengthen the, helping them to be holy, and helping them to welcome and raise their children.Marriage is only a sacrament when between baptized Christians. When a Catholic marries a non-Christian their marriage can be celebrated, as a covenant bond in a Catholic wedding ceremony, but it is not a sacrament.The sacrament of marriage is unique among all the sacraments in that the bride and groom are themselves the ministers of the sacrament. The priest or deacon is only a witness who blesses the couple in the name of the Church.