What is Catholic Marriage Preparation?
In the Catholic Church, we believe in the teaching that marriage is a sacrament, a covenant between a man, a woman, and God. A process of adequate preparation is needed to enter into this holy sacrament with reverence, understanding, and seriousness.
Marriage preparation is commonly called “Pre-Cana” referencing the wedding at Cana, where Jesus turned water into wine. This first miracle was a turning point in Jesus’ ministry. Similarly, a wedding is a turning point for a couple as they begin living out the vocation of sacramental marriage.
Marriage preparation starts with contacting the priest at the parish where you hope to get married. Different parishes and dioceses (the regional hierarchy in the Catholic Church) have differing requirements for couples who desire to be married in the Catholic Church.
The topics covered in a Pre-Cana, or Catholic marriage prep class, include: Theology and Spirituality of Marriage; Balancing Values, Careers, and Practical Issues; Finances; the Beauty of Sexuality and Intimacy in Marriage; Communication Skills and Conflict Resolution; Becoming Effective Communicators; Family of Origin; and Natural Family Planning.
Most parishes will require couples to take either an in-person Pre-Cana class, a Pre-Cana retreat, an online Pre-Cana course, or a combination. A pre-marriage inventory, or a relationship assessment, is also often required. Some parishes also require a meeting, or a series of meetings, with a mentor couple or the priest or deacon officiating the wedding.
Catholic Marriage Preparation is a Multi-Step Process
Preparing for a Catholic marriage is more than just asking your parents if they know where your baptism certificate is. Most parishes require couples to begin the marriage preparation process at least six months before the intended wedding date. Some require longer. The lengthy requirement is to ensure that there is proper time allotted for intensive marriage preparation along with the processing of any necessary documents.
One of the first steps of marriage preparation is completing a Canonical Questionnaire with the priest, deacon, or parish representative, to establish the freedom to actually marry in the Catholic church. If certain conditions are not met, such as prior marriage annulment, guidance will be given as to the next steps.
Every Parish Has Their Own Requirements for Catholic Marriage Preparation
Some parishes require couples to attend a weekend retreat that is offered a few times each year. Some dioceses offer in-person Pre-Cana programs throughout the year. Many dioceses allow couples to take online Pre-Cana courses, such as the one offered by The Marriage Group.
Parishes may require several in-person meetings with the priest or a mentor couple, and will often require a pre-marital inventory to determine areas for further discussion and discernment.
Example: Archdiocese of New York
The Archdiocese of New York has three options: the Archdiocese of New York Marriage Preparation Program, the Catholic Engaged Encounter, and programs that are approved by the parish, such as a fully online course.
The Marriage Preparation Program provided by the Archdiocese of New York consists of either an in-person full-day Saturday session or a hybrid on-demand session that you can work on at your own pace and conclude with a one-hour Zoom session. The hybrid program has both English and Spanish options.
The in-person Saturday sessions are offered at numerous locations throughout the Archdiocese of New York and are held from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The cost is $150.
The hybrid session takes around four hours to complete and the cost is $150. The Zoom sessions are offered monthly.
The Archdiocese of New York also endorses The Catholic Engaged Encounter, an in-person retreat called “A Wedding is a Day, A Marriage is a Lifetime®”. The cost is $460 for a weekend retreat.
Another option is an online course, such as the one offered by The Marriage Group. It consists of videos, workbooks, and guides to get your marriage off to a beautiful start. The course costs $225 and has a flexible schedule. The complete course takes about eight hours to complete. The Marriage Group offers the only fully online, on-demand Pre-Cana course mentioned by the United States Council of Catholic Bishops (USCCB). The Marriage Group also has a fully online self-paced program in Spanish.
Example: Archdiocese of Indianapolis
Pre-Cana instruction can be done in person or online. The in-person options include the Archdiocese of Indianapolis Pre-Cana Retreat. Dates and times can be found here. There are two locations. One location offers a Natural Family Planning Course. Costs start at $125 and go up to $200.
The Archdiocese of Indianapolis allows couples to take alternative courses, such as fully online Pre-Cana instruction. One option is offered by The Marriage Group and includes comprehensive and relatable content for today’s couples who wish to be married in the Catholic Church. The cost is $225 and takes about eight hours to complete. The course is self-paced. For more information and to register, click here. The Marriage Group also has a fully online self-paced program in Spanish here.
Marriage Preparation Classes, Seminars, or Retreats are Just One Part of Catholic Marriage Preparation
Taking a class is one thing, but living a life dedicated to God and honoring the sacrament of marriage is another thing. Having a happy marriage takes work. Beyond the classroom, whether the classroom is in-person or online, there are other ways to prepare for marriage. Prayer, learning from experts, and cultivating your relationship with both God and your future spouse are vital to preparing for a Catholic marriage.
- Go to Mass. Participate in the Sacrament of Penance. Prepare your heart for the vocation of sacramental marriage.
- Pray for your future spouse daily. This is a beautiful habit to start even before marriage.
- Read books, listen to podcasts, and watch videos by catholic marriage and family experts who have been through the things you will go through.
- Consider taking further marriage enrichment courses beyond the minimum Pre-Cana requirements.
How to Choose a Marriage Preparation Class
Preparing for marriage takes time and many busy modern couples have constant demands for their time. If an in-person Pre-Cana is your first choice, find the dates, times, and locations and sign up as early as possible. Some classes fill up months ahead of time. Capacity is often limited, especially for all-in-one weekend retreats.
If an online Pre-Cana is a more practical option, it is easy to use the course offered by The Marriage Group. You can enroll as a couple at any time and get started whenever you choose. The course takes about 8 hours and a Certificate of Completion is awarded.
The online course option is popular with couples that want privacy as they discuss personal topics, have busy schedules that prevent attending in-person Pre-Cana, or are separated by long distances during their engagement.The course is trusted and promoted by the United States Council of Catholic Bishops.
No matter which type of Pre-Cana you choose, your time spent preparing for marriage is time well spent, as a sacramental Catholic marriage is a beautiful expression of God’s plan for your life, your true vocation.
Article by Jennie McClelland.
The Marriage Group’s online Pre-Cana course, Living Our Faith In Love, is 5-star rated by couples and used in parishes in every U.S. diocese and over 90 countries. Join thousands of other couples who are building a strong marriage with our faithful, flexible, and fun course today!
