In the ordinary life of the world, a man’s marriage is often one of the
most important points, for with it he begins an entirely new chapter in life.
Therefore, at that point the Church steps in to give his action her
formal recognition and blessing, to start him in that new chapter in the right
spirit and to give him such help along the way as he is able to receive.
The general intention of the marriage service is to open the
natures of the bride and bridegroom towards each other, especially
at the emotional and mental levels and, having done this, to draw a
ring around them, separating them to certain extent from the rest
of the world. From the point of view of the inner life matrimony
is a tremendous experiment, in which the parties agree to make
certain sacrifices of individual freedom and preferences, in
the hope and with the intention that through their mutual
reaction each will intensify the inner life of the other so
that their combined output of spiritual force may be far greater
than the sum of their separate efforts would be, and secondly,
that they may have the privilege of providing a home for souls
who desire and deserve a good opportunity of spiritual evolution.
As holy matrimony is one of the Holy Sacraments of the Church of the
Rose and Cross it is treated solemnly and with reverence. A couple
seeking matrimony in the Church must seek the permission of their priest
in order to receive the sacrament. The Church believes that any couple
that joins together in matrimony should remain married for the rest of
their lives, for better or for worse, but does not believe divorce to
be a sin. A member of the Church may be remarried after divorce
under certain conditions. The first marriage is blessed, the
second is tolerated, and dispensation for a third marriage ceremony
must be sought directly from the presiding bishop.
Holy matrimony was ordained a sacred sacrament by God for the union
of men and women. As such, same-sex unions may be blessed by a priest
or bishop, but no marriage ceremony will be conducted for them.
