The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1892-04-04
CHRISTIAN MARRIAGE.
A Sermon on tho Subject Delivered
by Monsignor Sullivan.
THE CATHOLIC CAURCHS VIEWS.
as a Merely Natural Con-
tract, and as n Sacrament of tho
Christian Dlspcnsation.--Thosc who
Marry must DO Free from Sin.
Mixed Marriages Tolerated Only.

, Rt. Rev. Mgr. Sullivan delivered tho
annual sermon on Christian marriage
during high mass at tho Cathedral yes.
to-day. Tho statutes OF tho diocese OF
Wheeling require tho rcctors Of Catho-
lie churches to preach at loast once n
year on this subject, and Father Sulli-
van sot forth the wisdomof thedioccsan
law, as shown by tho importance Of tho
subject to tho individual, to civil and
religious society.
Flo defined marriage in its two.fold
aspect, first as q merely natural contract
and as n sacrament Of tho Christian
dispcnsation. Ilo dwelt on both rs
poets at considerable length, but re-
marked that 1t was with marriage as q
sacrament he was to death his discourse
to n Christian audience. lie then de-
fined marriage viewed rs q sacramont-
that is, a sacred sign and ceremony, or
dained by Christ, by which grace is COR
voyed to tho soul. II tho contract OF
marriage is Of such vast importance, all
that Importance romans in marriage
rs tho sacrament. which is really the
contract elevated by tho Redeemer's in
stitution to the rank OF sacrament. At
considerable length hc dilatcd OIL the
holy character OF marriage rs n
sacrament, pointing out tho essential
elements and constituents Of every sac
ramcnt; calling attention, by compar-
ison, to Its equality in holiness, in grace.
imparting power with the baptism, con.
ilrmation, penanco, holy eucharist and
the rest OF tho owe sacraments. Bas-
ing his remarks on the sanctity Of mar
riagc as q sacrament, no proceeded to
demonstrate tho fatal error Of those
who robbed marriage OF its sacramcntal
character, and the sad consequences OF
the attempt to reduce it to a merely
civil or religious rito or ceremony.
With the doctrine Of the Catholic
church on the subject kept steadily be-
fore his audiences mind he offered
ONT practically useful suggestions,
such rs the necessity OF seeking Gods
guidance in so holy and important an
affair; tho wisdom, prudence ana good
sense, which should lead those contem-
plating marriage to consult persons
competent to give safe counsels. Such
prudence is employed in ordinary bust
ness affairs, when they are sufficiently
important to demand it. With far
greater reason was counsel desirable in
this matter, which is second in import
ance to no business OF life.
lie called attention to the necessity
Of suitable preparation, prayer, pure
lives, great care in avoiding the impro-
prieties and rash familiarities so unbc-
coming in young persons during court
ship. Tho reception OF the sacraments
OF Penance and the Holy Eucharist was
mentioned especially, marriage" being
one OF the sncraments requiring its re-
cipients to be free from grievous sin,
or in the state OF grace. He dwclt with
considerable warmth on what are
termed mixed marriages, in which
Catholics marry such Us arc not of their
faith, showing how the Catholic church
views such marriages. He stated that
if dispensation is sometimes granted, it
is no indication of change OF the
church's idea, but merely with reluct-
ancc through what appears a necessity;
and ven then only on certain condi-
tons.
At this point he treated OF the i'm
portancc for those already married to
keep ever before their eyes the sanctity
OF the marriage state, the grave duties
imposed, the responsibilities cntailed
and their accountability to. God.
Since the happiness, temporal and
eternal. OF the individuals contemplate
ing marriage, the welfare of civil and
religious society, the proper Christian
education OF their offspring and the
great and hallowed interests Of the
church are all at stake, he concluded
by urging all tho faithful to keep stead
lily before their eyes the teachings Of
the church on the holiness OF Christian
marriage as a sacrament, and OF tho
state into which so divine a sacrament
ushers, and in which so many sacra-
mental graces are conferred during the
Catholics wooded life.