Preparation for Marriage

Congratulations! You are likely here because you are engaged and you are looking to enter into the beautiful vocation of marriage in the Catholic Church. What an exciting journey ahead! The Church rejoices in your desire to marry in the Church and we want to journey with you. It is our hope and prayer that you, as a couple, and your family will become a vibrant part of parish life wherever you are situated.

“The matrimonial covenant, by which a man and a woman establish between themselves a partnership for the whole of life, is by its nature ordered toward the good of the spouses and the procreation and education of offspring; this covenant between baptized persons has been raised by Christ the Lord to the dignity of a sacrament.” (CCC 1601).  A sacramental marriage is a marriage that includes God Himself, who is love, (1 Jn 4:8) as the centre. He leads us in all our ways, and He gives strength and direction to the couples who seek Him. Love, by its very nature, requires a giving and receiving by each person, and marriage requires this in an ongoing, sacrificial, and unconditional way which is modelled on the love of God Himself revealed to us in Jesus Christ.

The Sacrament of Marriage is a serious, lifelong commitment for which you want to be well prepared. We want to assist you in growing in your love for each other, as well as in your relationship with Christ and His Church.  The Church cares about your marriage and takes the preparation process very seriously. Therefore, in the Diocese of Pembroke, Catholic marriage preparation is mandatory.

Once you have met with your parish priest, be sure to register for one of our marriage preparation programs hosted by a team of married couples and clergy. It is highly advisable to take the program at least six months before your wedding.

For more information on the Marriage Preparation program of the Diocese of Pembroke please follow this link.

To begin the processes of planning your wedding at one of our parishes, please fill out the registration form below.