a) What is Matrimony?
Matrimony is the sacrament which establishes a sacred and permanent union between a baptized man and a baptized woman. It gives them the grace to love each other in a holy way and to educate their children in a Christian manner.
The chief effects of the sacrament of Matrimony are: first, an increase of sanctifying grace; second, the indissoluble bond of marriage; third, the special help of God for husband and wife to love each other faithfully, to bear with each other’s faults, to bring up their children properly, and to cooperate in making others holy, especially their relatives and friends.
b) Why should an Altar Server know the value of Matrimony?
The Christian family is the place where children receive the first proclamation of the faith. This is why it is called the “domestic Church,” a community of grace and prayer, a school of human virtues and Christian love.
An Altar Server should love his family in a special way, and try to make the home a place of peace, understanding, service, and joy. He should also bring Christ into their midst, through prayer, helping in the household chores, consoling those who are sad, accompanying those who are sick, and many other little but continuous acts of charity.