Resources:

The Sacrament of Marriage

Videos (These are available from the Media Centers)

VC 2148                Matrimony: Past, Present & Future                                  A[1]

cds[2]                        (Twenty-Third Publications, 2004, 29 minutes)

In this video Kathleen Chesto presents an engaging presentation, in clear language, of the development and history of the sacrament of marriage.  She sees that the challenge in today's world is to help couples understand matrimony as a call to faithfulness, chosen as their way to follow the Lord.  Her presentation is realistic as she helps the viewer face these challenges in a way that married people can teach the Church the true meaning of this sacrament.

VC 2129                Annulment: The Wedding That Was                                A

cds                      (Paulist Press, 2003, 60 minutes)

This video presentation asks, "There was a wedding, but was there a marriage?"  It explains how the Church can declare a marriage null.  The video clarifies Church teaching, the status of children, the difference between annulment and divorce, and the process of getting a marriage declared null according to Canon Law.

VC 1908                Preparing Cohabitating Couples for Marriage                 A

cds                        (FOCCUS, 1999, 19 minutes)

This is the story of an eight-year old girl and how she learns the consequences of what happens when you do not obey the rules set by those you love.

VC 1808                Planning Your Wedding Liturgy                                      SA

c                                (St. Anthony Messenger Press, 2000, 33 minutes)

This Catholic Update video gives couples a firm foundation for planning their wedding liturgy so that it will be celebrated and remembered as a visible sign of God's faithful love. It includes a story segment, a witness segment, a teaching segment presented by Fr. Tom Richstatter and a music video reflection.

VC 1761                To Last a Lifetime                                                            SA

cds                            (USCC, 1999, 58 minutes)

Through the experiences of four couples, this video examines the challenge of making a marriage work in spite of odds and shows how faith-based marriage preparation, marriage mentoring and marriage mending are helping couples to grow in love and understanding of each other.

VC 1690.01            Unitas: Preparing for Sacramental Marriage, I                 A

cds                            (Crossroad, 1998, 39 minutes)

Session 1: The Theology of Marriage

Session 2: Communication Skills
 

VC 1690.02           Unitas: Preparing for Sacramental Marriage, II                A

cds                            (Crossroad, 1998, 40 minutes)

Session 3: Individual and Family of Origin
Session 4: Values in Marriage
 

VC 1690.03            Unitas: Preparing for Sacramental Marriage, III               A

cds                            (Crossroad, 1998, 60 minutes)

Session 5: Intimacy and Sexuality
Session 6: Balancing Practical Issues in Relationship
Session 7: Developing a Spirituality of Marriage

VC 1567                The Jeweller's Shop                                                        SA

cd                              (Bridgestone, 1988, 88 minutes)

Based on Karol Wojtyla's book, this is the story of two couples who decide to marry on the eve of World War II. Spanning two generations and two continents, it follows both couples years later; parted by war and tragedy, but brought together again by circumstance with families of their own. It focuses on the contrast of human relationships, love and marriage, and hope for the future.

VC 1533                Sacraments of Service                                                     JS

cds                             (Ikonographics, 1997, 13 minutes)

Service is at the heart of Jesus' message for Christians. Marriage and Holy Orders when they function as complimentary sacraments teach us how to be like Christ, loving servants of one another. Using story, Jesus' life and ritual actions, the two sacraments are clearly explained. Young people are challenged to do what they can to serve humankind for the good of the whole community.

VC 1296.06            Marriage: Sacrament of Commitment                              I

cds                             (Ikonographics, 20 minutes)

This seven video cassette series teaches sacraments as a means of helping us to remember Jesus' love and point us outward in the service of others. The presentations are designed to encourage young people to explore their faith and God's unconditional love.

VC 1213.07            Sacraments of Vocation                                                   SA

c                                (Corpus Video, 25 minutes)

Fr. Himes shows how the Sacrament of Matrimony symbolizes the deepest dimension of the God-human relationship and gives us a new appreciation for the meaning of Holy Orders.

VC 1035.01            Only Love: A Guide to Successful Marriage. Part 1         SA

cds                            (Don Bosco Film/Multimedia, 28 minutes)

VC 1035.02            Only Love: A Guide to Successful Marriage. Part 2         SA

cds                            (Don Bosco Film/Multimedia, 28 minutes)

VC 0591.01            As Christ Loves the Church                                              SA

s                                (Liguori, 40 minutes)

This tape hosted by Chuck and Judy Neff introduces the sacrament of marriage. It addresses three issues: Friends and interests, the Extended Family, and Christian marriage's unique witness value.

VC 0591.02            Two Becoming as One                                                     SA

s                                (Liguori, 35 minutes)

This tape focuses on the gospel ideal of two people becoming one in Christian marriage. It looks at Matching Personalities, Personal Issues, Communication, and Problem Solving.

VC 0591.03            Can Love Conquer All                                                      SA

s                                (Liguori, 45 minutes)

This tape looks at four of the most demanding issues facing a couple contemplating marriage: Readiness, Sexuality, Family Finances, and Parenting.

VC 0591.04            Areas of Special Concern                                                 SA

s                                (Liguori, 35 minutes)

This tape looks at areas that are of special concern in today's society: Cohabitation, Religion and Values, Interfaith Marriages, and Second Marriages.

VC 0213.02            Future of Christian Marriage, The                                     A

d                                (Religious Telecommunications, 60 minutes)

VC 0208                Summer Solstice                                                              SA

d                                (Coronet/MTI Film and Video, 53 minutes)

Every marriage has its own rhythms and reasons. In this tender and moving drama an elderly couple revisits the Cape Cod beach where they first met and fell in love 50 years earlier. The drama was originally produced by WCVB-TV, Boston, an award-winning teleplay by Bill Phillips. Henry Fonda and Myrna Loy star as Joshua and Margaret Turner.

VC 0126                Together for Life                                                                A

s                                (Tabor Publishing, 90 minutes)

Designed to be used by couples in conjunction with their parish priest, or as a supplement to parish pre-Cana programs, this program by Joseph Champlin has three segments: 1) Prayerfully Preparing for a Day and for Life; 2) Your Future Together; 3) Tips for Designing Your Wedding Ceremony.

VC 0119                Rediscovering the Sacraments                                           JSA

cds                            (Tabor Publishing, 120 minutes)

This program by Marie and Brennan Hill views the sacraments as an integrated whole but also shows each sacrament as a special and unique experience. Segment 7 is called: "Marriage: Joined in the Lord."

[1The usage codes for the videos are as follows: A = Adults; E = Early Childhood; I = Intermediate;

   J = Junior High; P = Primary; and S = Senior High.

2]Cds = Media Center Codes:  C = Cincinnati; D = Dayton; S = Sidney

Books on Marriage Alphabetical by author; available in the Media Centers.

Web Sites on Marriage

www.catholiccincinnati.org/familylife  (Family Life Office of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati)

www.smartmarriages.com  The Family Life Office of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati recommends this site.

www.wwme.org  (Worldwide Marriage Encounter)

www.Marriage-encounter.org  (National Marriage Encounter)

www.nacsdc.org  (North American Conference of Separated and Divorced Catholics)

Last Updated: 4/6/2006