| Approved by: | The President | |
| History: | Issued -- 1998 | |
| Revised -- February 4, 2026 | ||
| Last Reviewed -- February 4, 2026 | ||
| Related Policies: | ||
| Additional References: |
Guidelines for Appropriate Use of University Chapels |
|
|
Policy Owner: Contact Person: |
University Chaplain, tel. (202) 319-5575 University Liturgy Coordinator, tel. (202) 319-5575 |
|
I. Marriage: A Celebration of the Whole Church
Whenever the people of God gather in prayer as the Church, we celebrate our election, our adoption, into the Body of Christ. We bear witness to the communal nature of this family we call "the Church, the Body of Christ" every time we come together for our public worship. Indeed, all of the sacraments are celebrated most poignantly when they are prayed in the context of a communal celebration. On the local level, this public prayer and worship of the universal Church is realized in the parish community. Since every sacrament is a participation in the prayer of the entire Body of Christ, a wedding celebration that focuses on those receiving the sacrament alone would somehow fall short of its full meaning as a celebration of the entire people of God.
Thus, the exchange of wedding vows is a visible sign of God's presence and love in the world in general and the parish community in particular. It is the creation of a new family within this worldwide body. As the bride and groom exchange lifelong promises, the local community in turn makes a commitment to support the couple in times of joy and in times of need.
For these reasons, Vatican II’s Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy (1963), the Code of Canon Law (1983), and the “Liturgical Norms and Policies” of the Archdiocese of Washington strongly favor and encourage a communal celebration of sacraments in the parish setting. It is further stated that graduates of educational institutions are expected to register in a parish. The Catholic University of America (CUA) is not a University Parish. The University is located within the territorial limits of St. Anthony of Padua Parish in the Brookland neighborhood of Northeast Washington, DC.
Because of the nature of the University community and the ties which sometimes develop between individuals and the University, students, faculty, and staff may wish to celebrate the Sacrament of Marriage on campus in one of the University Chapels. The Archdiocese of Washington and the Office of Campus Ministry at The Catholic University of America have set guidelines to facilitate a valid celebration of this sacrament.
II. Those who are eligible to be married in a Roman Catholic celebration of the Sacrament of Marriage in a University Chapel
- Full-time CUA students
- Full-time CUA faculty and staff members and their children
- University alumni
Anyone seeking to celebrate the Sacrament of Marriage in a University chapel who meets
all eligibility requirements (including canonical requirements) must submit, prior to
securing a date for a wedding, a letter from their pastor(s) permitting them to marry
outside their parish boundaries and in a chapel at CUA. The letter must explicitly indicate
that:
- the couple is qualified to marry.
- the pastor grants permission for the marriage to take place in a CUA chapel.
- the pastor has consulted the Vicar for Canonical Services of the Archdiocese of Washington. “With regard to the use of university or school chapels for the celebration of marriage, pastors are requested to consult the Vicar for Canonical Services” (Archdiocese of Washington Office of Worship, “Liturgical Norms and Policies,”9.20.3).
- a person or persons have been identified who will oversee the couple’s preparation for the Sacrament of Marriage and the compilation of their marriage file.
III. Fees
- A nonrefundable security deposit of $100 is due on the day the chapel is reserved. Checks should be made payable to: CUA Campus Ministry.
- There is a $1200 fee for the use of the chapel. In the event of a cancellation, the fee is refundable minus the security deposit.
- A University sacristan must be present for both the rehearsal and the wedding. Thesacristan fee of $200 is included in the total fee of $1200.
- The Office of Campus Ministry can arrange piano tuning at your request. At least two weeks of advanced notice is required. If you wish to have the piano tuned immediately prior to chapel use, it is your responsibility to cover the cost.
- The couple is responsible for securing ministers and musicians for the liturgy. Pending availability, however, ministers are sometimes available through the Office of Campus Ministry: Cantors ($200 per), Additional Musicians ($200 per), Server ($50 per).
- The recommended stipend for clergy is $200.
IV. Chapel Use and Wedding Guidelines
The chapels available for use are described in the “Chapel Use Policy.” All Guidelines for Appropriate Use of University Chapels are to be strictly followed.
Weddings are scheduled according to chapel availability. Weddings during Lent are not encouraged. All norms of Canon Law and the Archdiocese of Washington, DC, must be followed.
In order to secure a date for the wedding, the couple must submit the following documents at least six (6) months prior to the requested wedding date:
- A letter from the officiating priest/deacon stating that he has canonical faculties to celebrate the sacraments and understands his responsibilities as described in this policy.
- A certificate that the officiating priest/deacon is licensed by the DC government to witness marriages.
- Written permission from the pastor of the Catholic parties for the wedding to take place in a University chapel (see section II above for details).
The following documents must be presented at least three (3) months prior to the wedding date:
- Written delegation from the Pastor of St. Anthony of Padua Parish for the officiant.
- A letter of suitability from the officiant’s bishop or religious superior, if he is not from the Archdiocese of Washington.
- For couples prepared for marriage within the Archdiocese of Washington, the complete marriage file with all documentation, forms, etc.
- For couples prepared for marriage outside of the Archdiocese of Washington, DC, a letter from the priest/deacon who conducted the marriage preparation stating that preparation has been completed and that the appropriate wedding file has been sent to the bishop of the diocese where the preparation took place.
V. Responsibilities of the Couple
The couple is responsible for the timely completion of all Church documents, under the guidance of their wedding presider/officiant or another priest.
Presider/Officiant: The couple wishing to marry must secure a presider/officiant (either a Catholic priest or Catholic deacon with appropriate canonical faculties) and ensure that he is aware of his responsibilities to conduct a legal marriage in Washington, DC. The officiant must be authorized by the DC Superior Court and registered by the Marriage Bureau to celebrate marriages. An “Officiant Application” must be submitted to the District of Columbia Marriage Bureau in order to be registered.
DC Marriage License for the Couple: The couple must obtain a marriage license through the District of Columbia Marriage Bureau.
The Marriage Bureau of The Superior Court of D.C.
500 Indiana Avenue, N.W., Room JM-690
Washington, DC 20001-2131
(202) 879-4840
https://www.dccourts.gov/services/marriage-matters
The license can be obtained in person or online after the officiant has been registered and authorized to celebrate the marriage. After the wedding, the priest or deacon who officiates will sign the license and its copies. The original license is given to the couple. The copies, parts B and C, must be turned in to the Office of Campus Ministry. One copy will be retained for the marriage file and the other submitted to the Marriage Bureau certifying that the marriage took place.
Marriage preparation: The couple must receive appropriate educational and pastoral preparation through participation in a marriage preparation program approved by the Archdiocese of Washington, DC. A certificate of completion must be submitted and kept with the couple’s marriage records (i.e., their marriage file).
Sacramental Records: Each baptized person being married must present an official copy of his/her baptismal record for inclusion in the marriage file. For Catholics, this means obtaining an official copy of baptism and confirmation certificates issued within six (6) months of the wedding. Fornon-Catholics, any permanent copy of a baptismal record will suffice. These documents become part of the official marriage file and cannot be returned.
Freedom to Marry Forms / Affidavits: Each party is given a copy of a form to be completed by a priest, who questions a parent, relative, or close acquaintance regarding a person’s freedom to marry.
Pre-Nuptial Investigation: Each party is questioned, under oath, that nothing stands in the way of a valid and licit celebration of the Sacrament of Marriage.
If necessary, any canonical dispensation or declaration of nullity forms as determined by Canon Law and the Archdiocese of Washington must be obtained by the officiant and included in the marriage file.
Any other documentation needed for the wedding ceremony to proceed as determined by the University Chaplain and/or his delegate must be obtained by the officiant and included in the marriage file.
VI. Guidelines regarding the Presider/Officiant
Qualifications
- An ordained Roman Catholic priest/deacon who is currently a faculty/staff member of the University may be asked to witness the marriage as long as he possesses appropriate canonical faculties.
- Roman Catholic clergy not affiliated with the University also may officiate with the permission of the Liturgy Coordinator and after proper faculties, delegation, and licensing have been obtained.
- The name of the officiant must be submitted to the Liturgy Coordinator at the time the chapel is reserved so that any canonical and civil requirements may be addressed in a timely fashion.
- The officiant must receive canonical delegation from the Pastor of St. Anthony of Padua Parish. The couple should put the officiant in contact with the Liturgy Coordinator, who will facilitate this process.
- A letter of suitability from the officiant’s bishop or religious superior must be secured, if he is not from the Archdiocese of Washington.
If the marriage preparation occurs within the Archdiocese of Washington, DC, the officiant must ensure that adequate marriage preparation has taken place and all necessary documents have been obtained (including pre-nuptial investigation). All documents must be submitted to the Office of Campus Ministry at least three (3) months in advance. The official copies of the Washington, DC Marriage License must be submitted to the Office Campus Ministry immediately following the wedding ceremony.
If the marriage preparation occurs outside of the Archdiocese of Washington, DC, the officiant must ensure that adequate marriage preparation has taken place and all necessary documents have been obtained (including prenuptial investigation). All documents are to be submitted to the priest/deacon’s own (arch)diocese for review. That (arch)diocese will then send the documentation to the Archdiocese of Washington, DC. This process should be initiated no less than three (3) months prior to the wedding.
The officiating priest or deacon is responsible for working with the couple to plan the wedding liturgy and music, ensuring that it is appropriate for Roman Catholic worship. A copy of the proposed Order of Service, including music selections, must be submitted to the Liturgy Coordinator at least one (1) month before the wedding date for review and approval.
VII. Sacramental Records
A marriage ceremony that takes place in one of the University chapels will be recorded in the wedding registry book belonging to St. Anthony of Padua Parish (1029 Monroe Street, NE Washington, DC 20017).
VIII. Use of University Spaces for Wedding Receptions
To request the use of University spaces for wedding receptions, please contact Events and Conference Services (ECS). If a couple is celebrating their wedding on campus, no venue for a reception will be confirmed by ECS until the Liturgy Coordinator has given prior approval.