• Is a sign of the love between Christ and the Church, which is established between spouses in a permanent and exclusive bond, sealed by God.
• Gives couples the grace they need to attain holiness in their married life and for responsible acceptance and upbringing of their children.

"The matrimonial covenant, by which a man and a woman establish between themselves a partnership of the whole life, is by its nature ordered to the good of the spouses and the procreation and education of offspring: this covenant between baptized persons has been raised by Christ the Lord to the dignity of a sacrament." 

- Catechism of the Catholic Church 1601