Sacraments
Matrimony
"Congratulations on your engagement!"
At least six months prior to the Wedding date you should determine the day and time you desire and contact the Church to see if that date is available. St. Jude performs Weddings on Saturdays (or weekdays in special cases). The usual times are Saturday at 2:30pm and 6:30pm.
You will need proof of your Catholic Baptism. Contacting the Church where you were baptized does this. Tell them you are getting married and need a copy of your Baptismal certificate. Usually they can mail it to you or if the Church is near-by you may pick it up. Most Churches do not charge anything for this procedure. This Baptismal certificate must be one issued within six months of bringing it to our Church. (The one your mother may have saved for you all these years will not do in this circumstance.)
There is a fee for the Wedding Ceremony and an additional fee for music, soloists, etc. The Church fee will be discussed with each couple directly with the Church office and the music discussed directly with Omar Gonzalez our Music Director. Rosemary may be reached at extension 1052; please call her as soon as you have scheduled your date. Should you reach her voice mail be sure to leave your name, wedding date and time and your telephone number in order for her to call you back.
There is counseling done prior to the Wedding. If you live out of the country or in another state you may go to your Catholic Church in that area and request help with your paperwork.
There is a personality test to be taken. It is called the The Fully Engaged Program, or as some Priest call it the “Love Test” and can be taken online or with Mentors. There is no passing or failing; it is merely a test to give the counselor some insight into the couple as to where they might need guidance, as they start out their married life together.
There is the Wedding Preparation Class to be taken. It might be taken here at St. Jude (or another local parish) the engaged couple spend a portion of the day receiving guidance on their spiritual and emotional journey together after they become a married couple.
The day is usually from 8:30am to 4:00pm with breaks and lunch served. Couples come away saying this day was one they thoroughly enjoyed; a day bringing them closer together.
Please enroll in the Wedding Preparation Class as soon as possible. The church office will give you direction in doing this as soon as you bring in your Baptismal certificates. Please note, the State of Florida so encourages this Wedding Preparation Class that couples having completed the one-day class may take their Wedding Preparation Class certificate with them when they go to get their civil marriage license and will receive a discount.
You will receive a booklet entitled “Together for Life” which will help you in selecting your readings for your ceremony. This will be given to you when you come in with your Baptismal certificates.
In addition, there are couples with special needs in their time of preparation. For instance, the couple may have been previously married to each other in a civil ceremony or one or both of the parties may have been married before to someone else or perhaps one is not Catholic. These special needs may all be handled easily by the joint effort of the Church staff along with the cooperation of the couple in providing the necessary documentation
As you prepare for your Catholic Wedding Day you are the most important people in our parish. Everyone at St. Jude Catholic Church is eager to make this a truly joyful and blessed time in your life. A time you will always remember with a happy heart. We thank you for the privilege you give us by having your Church Wedding at St. Jude.
