Holy Matrimony is a vocational sacrament that bestow Gods’ divine grace to one’s lifetime commitment to marriage and family life. It is one of two Sacraments of Communion of Service, of which the other is the Sacrament of Holy Orders.
Included in the Sacraments of Holy Matrimony is the preparation, participation, and commitment to a Catholic marriage. If a couple's love is to survive the years and the troubles, anxieties, and sufferings that will inevitably be part of their life together, then their marriage must be grounded firmly, together as one, in their love of God and His Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ. The preparation for marriage and receipt of the Sacrament of Holy Matrimony begins this lifelong commitment and journey to each other and to a life joined as one.
Couples who are parishioners of our Church community and those from other Catholic parishes are welcome to marry in our Church. Couples who wish to marry within our St. John the Baptist Catholic Parish in Edgard, must contact our the Parish Office at least six (6) months in advance of their desired wedding date. Parish office staff will assist in scheduling a preliminary meeting with our Pastor.
Engaged couples are encouraged to review the many resources available from the Archdiocese of New Orleans website by clicking this link: Getting Married in the Church. Resources include programs and retreats for engaged couples, marriage preparation, and natural family planning, among others. The following documents available from the Archdiocese of New Orleans are likely to be particularly helpful in getting started towards the altar (click the link to access the document):
Prenuptial Inquiry Form (to be completed by the priest during interview)
Marriage Preparation Particular Law of the Archdiocese of New Orleans
2023 Marriage Preparation Program Schedule within the Archdiocese of New Orleans
St. John the Baptist Catholic Church has two official Marriage and Wedding Coordinators who engage with a marriage couple to plan and experience this sacred and special event in their life. At St. John, a Coordinator oversees all aspects of the planning and actual events of wedding rehearsal and mass/church ceremony. No other coordinator is permitted to assume this role. After you have completed the interview and Pre-Nuptial Inquiry with our Pastor, then contact Nancy Dumas (telephone number below), our wedding coordinator, to schedule your first wedding planning meeting.
Below is a link to our parish Marriage and Wedding Planning Guide to facilitate getting started. The guide also includes a timeline checklist of required preparation and planning activities, including both sacramental and celebratory elements of the wedding mass/ceremony. Our Marriage and Wedding Coordinators work closely with the couple to incorporate their personal preferences and ensure that their wedding will be a joy-filled and reverent event.
St. John the Baptist Catholic Church Marriage & Wedding Planning Guide
Marriage and Wedding Coordinators
Nancy Dumas, 504-722-7121
Myra Borne, 504-491-6063