The clergy, staff, and parishioners of the Basilica of Sts. Peter and Paul rejoice with you in your engagement to one another, and we will walk with you as you approach one of the most important days in your life, the beginning of the Sacred Covenant of Christian marriage.
In asking to be married in the Catholic Church, you are publicly proclaiming your faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and asking to live as disciples of Christ in the Sacrament of Marriage. The sacred liturgy of your wedding, which begins your married life by the solemn exchange of marital consent, is above all else an act of worship, and we will help you prepare both for that happy day and for the lifetime of marriage that follows your nuptial liturgy.
We understand that you are concerned to have every detail of your wedding carefully planned and well executed, and we will work with you to ensure that the sacred liturgy is a beautiful and memorable event for you and your families and friends. We ask you to remember that your wedding, although an intensely personal moment for you, is not a private event; rather, it is a public celebration of one of the seven Sacraments given to the Church by the Lord Jesus. For this reason, we must take care to ensure that the sacred liturgy is celebrated according to the mind of the Church and in conformity with liturgical law and local custom.
For complete details and for all policies, please locate the "Documents" section on this page and download the "Policy and Procedures" document. You can also download the complete Scripture Readings and Propers for weddings, as well as the forms you will need to fill out with information about your wedding liturgy.
Special provisions for sacramental celebrations, including weddings, are addressed in the Bishop's decree on Sacraments. Face coverings and social distancing between members of different households are required for all gatherings.
5/14/20 - Bishop's Decree on SacramentsPastor's Notes May 12, 2019: Wedding Season and Wisdom
Pastor's Notes May 19, 2019: The Underground Railroad out of the Culture of Death *
* The Basilica parish community is forming an "Underground Railroad" of homes to help engaged people avoid or leave the situation of cohabitation prior to marriage. If you are interested in offering a room in your home to an engaged person for a short period, in support of chastity and sacramental marriage - or if you are seeking to avoid or leave your own situation of cohabitation prior to marriage, please contact the parish office or click Contact below.
Catequesis sobre el Matrimonio, por P. David Carter, 17 de noviembre 2019 (LEER)
There are several programs recommended by the Diocese of Knoxville's Office of Marriage Preparation and Enrichment:
Picture of Love, Engaged Encounter, and Unveiled: A Pre-Cana Program
Contact the Office of Preparation and Enrichment at 423-892-2310 for more information.
See the Natural Family Planning page on the Diocese of Knoxville website or the Couple to Couple League website for resources on Natural Family Planning.
We are currently seeking an teaching couple to lead this ministry at the Basilica.