The union of husband and wife can be compared to the union between Christ and His Church. The two become one flesh and share in the great union of Christ's love.

A Christian marriage is a sacrament in which a baptized man and woman pledge their love through a deep and personal covenant. To celebrate this sacrament, the man and woman must be of mature age. There cant be a  previously existing valid marriage and they must freely intend to enter a lifelong commitment.