Can You Do Pre-Cana Online?

Yes! But, first, what is Pre-Cana?  Pre-Cana is marriage preparation. Sacramental marriage in the Catholic Church is a sacred covenant between a man, a woman, and God. It is not to be entered into without sufficient planning and preparation. Pre-Cana courses are marriage preparation courses that are required for marriage in the Catholic Church. Pre-Cana refers to the wedding at Cana where Jesus turned water into wine.

Marriage-preparation requirements and timelines vary by parish and diocese. Contact your priest or deacon early to understand what applies to you. We encourage you to begin preparing early in your engagement, or even before engagement if you are seriously dating and discerning marriage. Pre-Cana options include in-person retreats, workshops, classes, and online courses. Confirm accepted options with your priest or deacon before choosing your Pre-Cana path.

The Marriage Group offers online Pre-Cana through their course Living Our Faith in Love. The course meets all Pre-Cana requirements and includes the following topics: Theology and Spirituality of Marriage, Personal Values, Careers, and Practical Issues, Money, Sex and Intimacy, Communication Skills and Conflict Resolution, Effective Communication, Family of Origin, and Natural Family Planning (NFP).

The Marriage Group’s online course, Living Our Faith in Love®, features expert instruction from theologians, medical professionals, authors, and seasoned married couples. The course includes videos, discussion questions, and His and Hers journals. The course takes about 8 hours to complete. It is promoted by the USCCB.

Online Pre-Cana is popular with couples who desire more privacy for discussion than they would be able to get in an in-person group meeting. It is also a convenient option for couples who are separated by distance, such as military couples or students, and can not attend an in-person class together. Online Pre-Cana marriage preparation is ideal for couples with very busy schedules or who have caregiving responsibilities that do not allow for a weekend or series of evenings away.

Online Pre-Cana can be taken in tandem with in-person marriage preparation courses or meetings. Some parishes may require some level of in-person meeting with clergy or a mentor couple.

Some online courses are held “live” so you have to show up online at a certain time to watch the course. Couples are sometimes required to meet with a mentor couple virtually to have a discussion online. The format for some online Pre-Cana courses is in a cohort or group of many couples who meet virtually at a set time over several weeks. For example, couples may meet for 2-3 hours one night per week for four weeks. They will be in an interactive online platform with group discussions.

The Pre-Cana marriage preparation course offered by The Marriage Group is on demand. The course can be taken all at once in one day, spread out over a weekend, or little bits at a time over many months. There are no group components, so there is complete privacy for the couple. The course can be completed in as little as 8 hours. A certificate of completion is awarded.

Choosing the style of instruction that works best for you is important. If you enjoy an all-day presentation or a series of meetings over several weeks, in-person Pre-Cana is a great choice.

How Do You Know If Online Pre-Cana Will Work For You?

Distance. Not all couples live close to each other. Some are navigating long-distance relationships because of military service, schooling, or other reasons. Planning a wedding is hard enough. Taking an online Pre-Cana can take some of the stress off of planning, and can provide a fun and meaningful virtual date night as you watch the videos on your own and get together on Facetime or otherwise to discuss the topics.

Responsibilities. Sometimes you just can’t get away. Securing childcare or taking time off work for weekend or evening classes is just not an option for some people. Taking an online course on your schedule makes Pre-Cana easy and meaningful.

Abilities: Online Pre-Cana takes away the stress of “getting there” for those who may have mobility issues, an injury, or anxiety issues with large groups. Those with hearing and vision impairments can use captioning, volume control, and any personal devices to make Pre-Cana work for them.

Privacy: Pre-Cana topics get personal. Not everyone is comfortable addressing sensitive topics with strangers or even with friends. Taking a fully online on-demand Pre-Cana marriage preparation course gives couples the freedom to laugh and cry as needed to properly discern the important topics that are part of marriage preparation.

Language: Online Pre-Cana offered by The Marriage Group is available in both English and Spanish.

On-Going Support: The Marriage Group’s Pre-Cana course is delivered in the Marriage Every Day® community, a place for couples who want to keep growing their relationship skills and avoid the status quo. Couples get tools and inspiration for a long and happy sacramental marriage. They can connect with one another, do fun events, and get free mini-course to become better communicators, parents, and lovers.

Please take the time to research the different types of Pre-Cana marriage preparation that are best for you as a couple. Online Pre-Cana, such as The Marriage Group’s Living Our Faith in Love course, is designed to give your marriage a beautiful beginning, and it doesn’t end on your wedding day.

Author: Jennie McClelland

Pre-Cana and NFP Life® are educational programs, not medical advice or counseling.