After the theological drift in the past two American Prayer Books, the service of Holy Matrimony in the 2019 Prayer Book is a breath of fresh air, its content rooted in the traditional material of the classical Anglican tradition. The format of the service is very much in the modern style, but language and doctrine it contains are long-awaited returns to historic orthodoxy.

The opening text on BCP 198-199 outline the doctrine of marriage and call for “great care” in the preparation of all candidates for Holy Matrimony. The word “candidate” should be taken seriously: just as in Confirmation and Ordination, those preparing for marriage are merely candidates, and the minister is well within his rights to deny officiating the wedding if the couple is not prepared or ineligible for marriage. The Banns of Marriage are one line of discernment, wherein the congregation is to be given at least three opportunities to offer any “cause, or just impediment” that the wedding should not go through. Furthermore, the minister is expected (and in many dioceses required) to have the couple sign the Declaration of Intention on BCP 200. This, and its accompanying liturgy on BCP 213, is essentially a formalized betrothal ceremony, and serves as the primary “gateway” to the path to marriage. If the couple is unable to sign the Declaration in good conscience they need further instruction and catechesis concerning Christian marriage before they can receive the Church’s blessing. The minister should take this role with grave solemnity, as many believers have slipped through the cracks in recent decades, entering into marriage with (at best) anemic views of biblical marriage.

What follows is but one way of approaching pre-marital counseling, which the minister can adapt to the strengths and weaknesses of the couple in question.

“Marriage is two people made one flesh in community bearing fruit for life before God.”

1. “Marriage Is”

• Examine the Declaration of Intent study its four-fold purpose of marriage
• Examine Holy Matrimony as an image of Christ & Church
• Gateway: Sign the Declaration of Intention

2. “Two People”

• Profile the personalities of the man and the woman with appropriate social and religious tools and measures
• Consider their schedules, lifestyles, interests, personal spaces
• Gateway: Make plans for Confirmation if not yet done

3. “Made One Flesh”

• Consider the unity of the couple, especially their disciplines (spiritual and otherwise)
• Examine their conflict resolution past and present, and where peace is found
• Gateway: Have them paraphrase the Wedding Vows for their own understanding

4. “In Community”

• Consider the community, especially the future in-laws, for this couple, and their relationships
• Explore their baggage, expectations, history, and wishes about family and friends
• Gateway: Offer Healing Prayer

5. “Bearing Fruit”

• Explore the subjects of agape love that sacrifices & spreads, especially with regards to sexuality, family planning, and child-rearing
• Examine their sexual desires, history, expectations, and ethics
• Gateway: Offer private Confession & Absolution

6. “For Life”

• Consider ordinary household plans like finances, spending & saving habits, occupations
• Explore the subjects of homemaking and domestic duties and expectations
• Gateway: Have them prepare a budget and list major milestones as a couple for their first year

7. “Before God”

• Explore spiritual habits shared by the couple and pastoral accountability for the future
• Consider the religious life of their family-to-be
• Gateway: Plan the wedding ceremony’s liturgy together