The matrimonial covenant, by which a man and a woman establish between themselves a partnership of the whole of life, is by its nature ordered toward the good of the spouses and the procreation and education of offspring; this covenant between baptized persons has been raised by Christ the Lord to the dignity of a sacrament. When validly contracted between two baptized people, marriage is a sacrament.
***The Catechism of the Catholic Church
Anyone who is a registered member of the Basilica for at least 6 months, and attending Mass here on the weekends can call the parish office to make an appointment to meet with the Pastor.
Father's requirement/policy for anyone who is not a member of the Basilica of Saint John and wishes to get married here, is that the Catholic must register and attend Mass here every weekend. It would be a year before a wedding could take place.
The first 6 months is a waiting period in which the Pastor asks that the Catholic attend Mass here at the Basilica every weekend using the tithing envelopes we send out. After the 6 months he would then meet with the couple.
If the couple has been attending Mass and using the tithing envelopes (for attendance purposes) then Father will meet to discuss wedding policies/guidelines, pre-marriage classes (FOCCUS), the wedding date and costs, etc.
These guidelines have been developed to help new couples get established as parishioners here at the Basilica. It is also hoped that this waiting period will help the new couple develop a sense of family within the parish and for them to develop a relationship with our Lord, so that they will continue as members of the Basilica after the wedding.