Marriage is both a sacrament and a vocation (a calling) in the Catholic Church. Therefore, marriage preparation is multifaceted:
- Three meetings with a priest to collect documentation and determine ceremony details
- A marriage preparation course led by trained married couples, often called Pre-Cana (after the town of Cana, where Jesus, Mary, and the disciples attended a wedding)
- FOCCUS Pre-Marriage Inventory, an online survey to support couple communication
The wedding can generally occur on any day and time, depending upon the availability of the church. The wedding can be a ceremony or nuptial Mass.
Basic requirements
Since November 2021, only one priest has been assigned to the parish. Therefore, note these requirements for weddings at Christ the King Church:
- The bride or groom must be a registered parishioner OR
- The bride or groom must be a Catholic residing in Haddonfield, Tavistock, or the adjacent parts of Haddon and Cherry Hill townships OR
- The parent(s) of the bride or groom must be registered parishioners
A priest or deacon from another parish may officiate a wedding at Christ the King Church for couples that do not meet the criteria above. This clergyman must also take responsibility for the marriage preparation.
Getting started
- Complete the inquiry form. The form asks for your preferred date. You will generally hear a response within one business day.
- If the priest confirms your eligibility to marry at Christ the King Church and the availability of your date, then you will meet with him at the parish office.
- To get a head start, prepare the following for your first meeting:
- A newly issued copy of the baptism certificate for Catholics. Ask the church of the baptism to provide a baptism certificate with notations.
- A photocopy of the baptism certificate for non-Catholic Christians.