The husband should be able to maintain his wife and children; he should not be a free-thinker, or addicted to gambling drinking, quarrelling, cursing, etc. ' The wife should be free from vanity, love of finery, and capriciousness; she should be chaste, pious, modest, industrious, and economical. Both should possess the virtue, intelligence, and knowledge in religious matters requisite to give their children a Christian education.
12. How is a binding engagement to marry entered into?
The engagement must be in writing and signed by the two parties in presence of the Pastor of one of them, of the Bishop, or two other witnesses.
13. What sin do they commit who receive the Sacrament of Matrimony with an unholy intention, or in the state of moral sin?
They render themselves guilty of sacrilege, and, there fore, unworthy of all the Divine graces and blessings attached to the Sacrament.
14. What is meant by an invalid marriage?
It is one that is entirely destitute of effect in the eye of God and of the Church.
15. What should they do who are married invalidly?
They should go at once to the priest and be properly married, or else separate.
16. What things make a marriage invalid?
Three things: 1. Imperfect consent; 2. want of proper form; or 3. existence of an impediment.
17. What is meant by imperfect consent?
It is consent that is given out of ignorance or fear.
18. What is meant by the proper form of marriage?
It is that formality without which the Church will no recognize the marriage, and consists in the presence a duly qualified Priest and at least two witnesses.
19. What are impediments?
Impediments are circumstances which from the nature of the case or the law of God or of the Church prevent the marriage.
20. How many kinds of impediments are there?
There are two kinds:
1. Such as render the marriage illegal, as for instance
