Marriage Preparation

Catholic Marriage Preparation

Marriage Preparation

Catholic marriage preparation is a focused period of time in which the parish community assists the engaged couple to examine their readiness for lifelong marriage. The marriage preparation program will provide instruction and the opportunity for couple interaction and reflection. It is meant to assist the couple in affirming their desire and decision for marriage, increase awareness of their expectations for lifelong marriage and family life together, and embracing the positive demands of Catholic sacramental marriage.

Following is an outline of the steps necessary to seeking marriage in the Catholic Church.

1. Contact Your Parish
  Contact and meet with your parish priest, deacon or pastoral minister as soon as you become engaged. At this meeting you will:
  Set and/or confirm the wedding date Complete the church pre-nuptial forms (A-form)
  Acquire baptismal certificates Make arrangements to complete the marriage preparation program required by the parish.
 
2. Complete the Marriage Preparation Program outlined by your parish
  The church requires you to begin your marriage preparation at least six months before your wedding date. During this time of preparation you and your fiancé will be given the opportunity to focus on your relationship readiness, skills and expectations for lifelong marriage, and understanding Catholic marriage as a sacrament.
  Your marriage preparation will cover a number of topics including:
  • Marriage as a Sacrament
  • Communication
  • Conflict Resolution
  • Parenting
  • Careers and Family Life
  • Finances
  • Commitment and Church
  • Family of Origin
  • Catholic Understanding of Intimacy, Sex and Procreation
  • Natural Family Planning

Depending on the design of the program your parish may utilize a pre-marriage inventory and/or a seminar style workshop as part of the marriage preparation process.

There is a number of Marriage Preparation seminar style programs offered throughout the Archdiocese.

Download the 2013 Marriage Preparation flyer
 
3. Plan the Wedding Liturgy
  Meet with your parish priest, deacon or pastoral minister to plan the liturgy for you wedding ceremony.
  Marriage between two Catholics is normally celebrated within Mass Marriage between a Catholic and a baptized non-Catholic may be celebrated inside or outside the Mass Marriage between a Catholic and an unbaptized person is celebrated within the Liturgy of the Word
  Consult with the parish music minister
  Obtain marriage license
  Schedule rehearsal for ceremony