Marriage is one of the sacraments of the Church for the realization of salvation and the elevation of humanity. It is a sacrament for 3 main reasons:
a) it contains Divine Grace
b) it is a representation of the union of Christ with the Church and
c) through marriage, the loving union of the souls of man and woman is realized.

Thus, the main purpose of marriage is found in the communion of love between the married individuals. Just as Christ loved the Church, so the man is obligated to love his wife. And in this way, through the blessing and sanctification of the "mystery of marriage," the beginning of the human race is sanctified.