Preparation for the Sacrament of Marriage

Congratulations on your engagement! We're glad you're here!
Below we outline the six steps of marriage preparation, yet the best resource for you is your parish priest or deacon, who will accompany you on this journey. 

Marriage Preparation Brochure

Espanol: Programa Diocesano De Preparación Matrimonial

1. Meet with Your Priest or Deacon: This should be done as soon as possible, as the priest or deacon will accompany you throughout your engagement. The priest will determine your freedom to marry and explain the marriage preparation process. Then your wedding date can be set!

2. Pre-Marital Inventory (PMI): A PMI is a set of questions giving a couple a current snapshot of their relationship. This provides you a unique opportunity to discuss various topics and build a strong foundation for your life together. Here is a list of common pre-marital inventories that your parish may use.

3. Formation Event: The formation event is a chance to dive into the meaning of marriage with your spouse-to-be. Take advantage of this time to be inspired by married couples and learn about the habits that make a great marriage. 

• Pre-Cana Retreat
  • Find the retreat happening in your parish or local area!
• Spanish Pre-Cana: Contact Adriana Johnson to register: [email protected].
  • Saturday, June 5th, 2021 at St. Stephen the Martyr Parish
  • Saturday, September 11th, 2021 at St. Stephen the Martyr Parish
• Online Marriage Preparation: The Joy-Filled Marriage Course and The Marriage Preparation Course (both together)
• Virtual Engaged Encounter

4. Natural Family Planning (NFP): NFP teaches couples to recognize the signs of a woman’s fertile window, allowing them to make prudent decisions about family planning without violating God’s design or disrupting a woman’s biology. There are several highly effective, researched methods to choose from, available to learn either in person or online. Visit our Diocesan NFP page for more information and classes. 
Natural Family Planning Brochure

5. Ongoing Growth: As you prepare for the Sacrament where you give yourselves to each-other, invest in your spiritual growth. The grace and strength you receive from the Sacrament of Confession and from the Eucharist are the best preparation you can receive for your marriage! Prepare your hearts for these Sacraments with this Confession Guide for Engaged Couples. You can also take part in spiritual reading or prayer together. God is the source of all love, and desires to share it with you!

6. Planning Your Wedding Liturgy: Your priest or deacon will work with you on planning your wedding liturgy, including the readings, songs, and gift-bearers, etc.

Thank you for saying yes to a lifelong, life-giving, and generous love. As a married couple, your witness to the love of God is desperately needed in our world!

Be sure to check out our Resource Page for more helpful tools for your marriage!