Chapter VI. On Preparation For Matrimony, That Is, On Betrothals, The Examination Of The Parties, And The Banns

705. Preliminary note. It belongs to every good pastor of souls often and insistently to admonish young persons of each sex not rashly and precipitously to embrace the matrimonial state, but to prepare themselves for an office of such great moment with unceasing labor and fervent prayer, mindful of Sacred Scripture saying: "House and riches are given by parents; but a prudent wife is properly from the Lord."⁴¹⁹ Nor should young persons think that those marriages are always fortunate in which bodily beauty, honors, and riches abound; but happiness, both earthly and heavenly, will be possessed by spouses only when, led by the best intention, they strive exactly to fulfill all the obligations which spring from the three goods of matrimony. - Three things are accustomed to precede the celebration of matrimony, namely, betrothals, the examination of the parties, and banns; these three we comprise in two articles: 1. on betrothals; 2. on the examination of the parties and on the banns or proclamations of matrimony.

⁴¹⁹ Prov. 19:14; cf. Code of Canon Law, c. 1018.