 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
Choosing and Registering for Marriage Preparation
Marriage Preparation Parish Resources
Marriage Preparation Policy
Poliza de Preparacion Matrimonial
Marriage Preparation Opportunities with the Family Life Office
"The very preparation for Christian marriage is itself a journey of faith. It is a special opportunity for the engaged to rediscover and deepen the faith received in baptism and nourished by their Christian upbringing. In this way they come to recognize and freely accept their vocation to follow Christ and to serve the kingdom of God in the married state." Familiaris Consortio #51
The Archdiocese of Philadelphia congratulates you on your engagement! The Church believes that your decision to marry is a response in faith to God’s love for you. It believes that through the power of the Sacrament of Matrimony, God enables you to appreciate the sacredness of your own love (an image of Christ’s love for his Bride, the Church) and to accept the responsibility to manifest God’s love to each other and to the world every day of your lives.
• Marriage Preparation in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia is intended to assist engaged couples in developing a solid foundation for permanent, faithful, and life-giving love in marriage.
• Since Catholics believe Christian marriage to be a very serious relationship, a decision to make this commitment requires sufficient reflection, discussion, and responsible preparation. This is why you engaged couples are required to notify their parish of their intention to marry no less than six months before the date of the wedding.
• The unique situation of each engaged couple is given personal attention at the parish through interviews with the parish priest. Between the initial interview and the wedding, a program of marriage preparation is required. Engaged Couples need to contact their parish priest to discuss what form of marriage preparation program they will attend.
The Family Life Office assists engaged couples in their journey of faith through Marriage Preparation Programs, Natural Family Planning Classes, the FOCCUS Pre-marital inventory, and other resources which support your journey together to the vocation of Christian Marriage.
Options for Marriage Preparation:
Option A: Parish Marriage Preparation Programs
Some parishes offer Pre-Cana programs, usually in the Fall and Spring. These programs vary in format [one-day, weekends, meetings with mentoring couples, etc.]. The Family Life Office does not have a list of parish marriage preparation programs. To find a parish program, talk to your priest first. If your parish does not offer marriage preparation classes (also known as "pre-Cana"), contact parishes in your area to see which ones do: Archdiocese of Philadelphia Parishes
Option B: Archdiocesan Regional Marriage Preparation Program
Option C: Archdiocesan Weekend Retreat
Option D: Hispanic Marriage Preparation
Option E: African American Marriage Preparation
Option F: Three to Get Married Commuter Retreat
Choosing and Registering for Marriage Preparation
2009 Archdiocesan Regional Marriage Preparation Sessions
2010 Archdiocesan Regional Marriage Preparation Sessions
Pre-Marriage Inventories
Natural Family PlanningMarriage Preparation Opportunities with the Family Life Office
Church Teaching and Marriage Preparation