Marriages

Dear Fiancés
Congratulations on your recent engagement! It is our prayerful wish that the Holy Spirit will bless and guide you during this important time of your life. Your decision to begin a lifetime commitment to each other is a graced moment. May the Lord bless your decision and bring your plans and desires to fulfillment. In its sacramental ministry, the Catholic Church is at the service of the Lord's mission and of its members. You have decided to consecrate your love in the sacrament of matrimony. Our goal is to support you in that decision and to bring you, as a consecrated married couple, to participate in the life of your faith community. This is the reason why we, like you, take seriously the preparation of marriage. It is a sacrament which is a moment of grace for the members of the Church, both you who celebrate it as well as for the entire community who shares your joy. Our Cathedral church is unique in that it is at the service of all the members of our diocesan parishes as well as the members of the Cathedral parish. As a result, you may celebrate your marriage here in the Cathedral if you are a member of the Cathedral parish or of one of the parishes of Ottawa. In addition, we welcome visiting priests and deacons to bless marriages. If you intend to invite a priest or a deacon to bless your marriage, we would ask you to indicate his full contact information (name, complete address and phone number... etc.)

Notice
If either of you has been previously married - religiously or civilly - you must receive a written authorization of our diocesan Chancery Office before a date can be set for your marriage at the Cathedral. If this situation concerns either of you, you should contact the Chancery Office [http://www.archottawa.ca] at (613) 738-5025 and receive this written authorization before meeting the Rector of the Cathedral. To celebrate a marriage in the Catholic Church, at least one of the fiancés must be a baptized Catholic. It is strongly suggested that baptized Catholics be confirmed before their marriage. If you have not been baptized and/or confirmed, we'll be happy to discuss the possibility of a preparation for baptism and/or confirmation at the Cathedral. Please do not hesitate to raise the question during our first meeting. Please note that completion of an authorized marriage preparation course is mandatory. Your marriage date is accepted on the condition that you will fulfill all requirements for marriage preparation which includes completion of an authorized preparation course before your marriage date. Failure to complete all requirements may lead to the cancellation of your marriage date.

In general, marriages will be celebrated on Saturdays, beginning at 12:00 p.m., 1:30 p.m., 3 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. Other days and times may be considered.

For weddings over 60 people, access to the Sanctuary is restricted to the priest, the bride and groom as well as the concelebrants only. Note also that smaller weddings of sixty people or less may be celebrated with all the guests sitting in the stalls of the Sanctuary. This allows a much more intimate setting, with atl the majestic surroundings of the Cathedral.

For the necessary application form to register for a marriage at the Notre Dame Cathedral Basilica, please contact the office at info@notredameottawa.com, or by phone at (613) 241-7496 (between opening hours) or by fax at (613) 241-1627. Please provide your full contact information (full name, address, phone and email address where available).

News and Events

Easter Celebration Click Here for Handel’s Hallelujah sung by the Children’s Choir accompanied by some adults. All choirs recruit year round. If you and/or your children are interested, please contact the office for information. Adoration The Blessed Sacrament will be present in the chapel after the 5 PM Mass on Thursdays and Fridays throughout the year. A Brief History and Parishes of the Archdiocese of Ottawa – 125 years This hard cover book, containing 256 glossy paper pages with full colour throughout, shows some of the dynamic life and activities of our parishes. It is currently available at the office at a cost of $35 each. Confessions are held 15 minutes before each mass