r facts that prevent the
marriage from being valid are called "Impediments to Marriage." Some of
them render the marriage altogether null, and some only make it
unlawful. When persons make arrangements about getting married they
should tell the priest every circumstance that they think might be an
impediment. Here are the chief things they should tell the
priest--privately, if possible. Whether both are Christians and
Catholics; whether either has ever been solemnly engaged to another
person; whether they have ever made any vow to God with regard to
chastity, the religious life, or the like; whether they are related and
in what degree; whether either was ever married to any member of the
other's family--say sister, brother, or cousin, etc.; whether either
ever was a godparent in Baptism for the other or for any of the other's
children; whether either was married before, and what proof can be given
of the death of the first husband or wife; whether they really intend to
get married; whether they are of lawful age; whether they are in good
health or suffering from some sickness that might prevent their
marriage, etc. They should also state whether they live in the parish,
and how long they have lived in it. They should give at least three
weeks' notice before their marriage, except in special cases of
necessity. They should not presume to make final arrangements and invite
friends before they have made arrangements with their pastor; because if
there should be any delay on account of impediments it would cause them
great inconvenience. Let me take an example of a fact that would render
the marriage invalid or null though the persons performing the ceremony
might not be aware of it. Suppose a woman's husband went to the war, and
she heard after a great many years that he had been killed in battle,
and she, believing her first husband to be dead, married another man.
But the report of the first husband's death turns out to be false, and
after a time he returns. Then the Church tells the woman--and she knows
it now herself--that the second marriage was invalid, that is, no
marriage, because it was performed while the first husband was still
living. She must leave the second man and go back to her husband. You
see in that case the Church was not dissolving or breaking the marriage
bond, but only declaring that the woman and second man were not married
from the very beginning, although they thought they were, being ignorant
of