Marriage Preparation
Congratulations on your decision to get married! We encourage you to be open and active participants in the marriage preparation process. The sacrament of Holy Matrimony is a wonderful experience through which you will encounter Christ in each other, establish a new family, and take part in a sacramental love. We offer couples several programs to help you experience a life in God’s plan for your marriage, and will help you lay a firm foundation for your married life.
Marriage Preparation Process
Begin by meeting with your parish priest or deacon who will be witnessing your marriage, or with the parish marriage preparation coordinator. Begin this process six months in advance of your tentative wedding date.
Preparation requirements may vary from parish to parish; you will be advised of the preparation process in general as well as any specific parish requirements.
A pre-marital inventory interview will be conducted and your parish priest or deacon will discuss any particular or special needs that can be addressed before your wedding. You will also be advised of documents you will need as well as different marriage preparation programs that are best suited to your needs.
It is important to contact your parish to begin this process with plenty of time in order to be well prepared and to attend to your marriage preparation process.
FOCCUS has useful tools in facilitating deeper communication and sharing between the couple in preparation for marriage. The results will encourage discussion in important marital areas during a review with your priest, deacon or experienced facilitator. Areas of interest will include family of origin, and expectations and hopes of married life. Both programs are available at the parish and diocesan levels in English and Spanish.
Upon completion of the preparation process, a waiver for the local marriage license fee (City County Office) is available through the Marriage and Family Life Ministry Office.
Marriage Preparation Process
Begin by meeting with your parish priest or deacon who will be witnessing your marriage, or with the parish marriage preparation coordinator. Begin this process six months in advance of your tentative wedding date.
Preparation requirements may vary from parish to parish; you will be advised of the preparation process in general as well as any specific parish requirements.
A pre-marital inventory interview will be conducted and your parish priest or deacon will discuss any particular or special needs that can be addressed before your wedding. You will also be advised of documents you will need as well as different marriage preparation programs that are best suited to your needs.
It is important to contact your parish to begin this process with plenty of time in order to be well prepared and to attend to your marriage preparation process.
FOCCUS has useful tools in facilitating deeper communication and sharing between the couple in preparation for marriage. The results will encourage discussion in important marital areas during a review with your priest, deacon or experienced facilitator. Areas of interest will include family of origin, and expectations and hopes of married life. Both programs are available at the parish and diocesan levels in English and Spanish.
Upon completion of the preparation process, a waiver for the local marriage license fee (City County Office) is available through the Marriage and Family Life Ministry Office.