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Objection 1: It would seem that even before the marriage has been
consummated one consort cannot enter religion without the other's
consent. For the indissolubility of marriage belongs to the sacrament
of matrimony, inasmuch, namely, as it signifies the union of Christ
with the Church. Now marriage is a true sacrament before its
consummation, and after consent has been expressed in words of the
present. Therefore it cannot be dissolved by one of them entering
religion.
Objection 2: Further, by virtue of the consent expressed in words
of the present, the one consort has given power over his body to the
other. Therefore the one can forthwith ask for the marriage debt, and
the other is bound to pay: and so the one cannot enter religion without
the other's consent.
Objection 3: Further, it is said (Mt. 19:6): "What God
hath joined together let no man put asunder." But the union which
precedes marital intercourse was made by God. Therefore it cannot be
dissolved by the will of man.
On the contrary, According to Jerome [Prolog. in Joan.] our
Lord called John from his wedding.
I answer that, Before marital intercourse there is only a spiritual
bond between husband and wife, but afterwards there is a carnal bond
between them. Wherefore, just as after marital intercourse marriage
is dissolved by carnal death, so by entering religion the bond which
exists before the consummation of the marriage is dissolved, because
religious life is a kind of spiritual death, whereby a man dies to the
world and lives to God.
Reply to Objection 1: Before consummation marriage signifies the
union of Christ with the soul by grace, which is dissolved by a
contrary spiritual disposition, namely mortal sin. But after
consummation it signifies the union of Christ with the Church, as
regards the assumption of human nature into the unity of person, which
union is altogether indissoluble.
Reply to Objection 2: Before consummation the body of one consort
is not absolutely delivered into the power of the other, but
conditionally, provided neither consort meanwhile seek the fruit of a
better life. But by marital intercourse the aforesaid delivery is
completed, because then each of them enters into bodily possession of
the power transferred to him. Wherefore also before consummation they
are not bound to pay the marriage debt forthwith after contracting
marriage by words of the present, but a space of two months is allowed
them for three reasons. First that they may deliberate meanwhile about
entering religion; secondly, to prepare what is necessary for the
solemnization of the wedding. thirdly, lest the husband think little
of a gift he has not longed to possess (cap. Institutum, caus.
xxvi, qu. ii).
Reply to Objection 3: The marriage union, before consummation, is
indeed perfect as to its primary being, but is not finally perfect as
to its second act which is operation. It is like bodily possession and
consequently is not altogether indissoluble.
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