The Sacrament of Marriage is a covenant between a husband and wife. This covenant is a permanent union of persons capable of knowing and loving each other and God. In the bond of Matrimony, husbands and wives give themselves totally and selflessly to one another for life: they are to love one another as Christ loves the Church. Any couple, one man and one woman, who are baptized and are free to marry may receive this sacrament. This means that the man and woman wishing to marry each other must meet the age requirements and any other requirements established by civil and church law.The grace of this Sacrament perfects the love of husband and wife, binds them together in fidelity, and helps them welcome and care for children. Christ is the source of this grace and he dwells with the spouses to strengthen their covenant promises, to bear each other’s burdens with forgiveness and kindness, and to experience ahead of time the “wedding feast of the Lamb” (Rev 19:9).