Article III: Concerning Matrimony as Sacrament

15. • The existence of the sacrament of matrimony.

There is no reason for us to linger in establishing the existence of the sacrament of matrimony, since doing this pertains to the office of dogmatic theology. In this practical treatise let it suffice to remember that the Council of Trent strikes with anathema him who says: "That matrimony is not truly and properly one of the seven sacraments of the evangelical law instituted by Christ the Lord, but was invented by men in the Church, and does not confer grace,"¹ and hence that the existence of the sacrament of matrimony is a defined dogma of the Catholic faith.

¹ Sess. XXIV, De sacramento matrimonii. Denz.-Bannwart, n. 971.

In this article we shall treat: 1°) of the matter, form, and minister; 2°) of the subject of this sacrament.