Preparing for Marriage
“Marriage is the most beautiful thing that God has created.” Pope Francis, Address, 1 October 2016
By now you have probably figured out the difference between preparing for the wedding and preparing for the marriage. Wedding preparations concern the details of the celebration of the wedding day—a special day marking the beginning of your sacramental life together. Marriage preparation begins even before engagement and continues into your married years: it is a look at life as a married couple. Marriage preparation is really a formation or enrichment process that involves your whole self and is directed toward living a happy and holy life with your spouse.
MARRIAGE PREPARATION IN THREE EASY STEPS
STEP ONE
Couples should contact their pastor, priest, or deacon as soon as possible to assist with marriage preparation. If you are not parishioners in the Catholic Diocese of Wilmington, you should reach out to the pastor of the parish in which you are preparing for the Sacrament of Marriage. The couple should communicate with their marrying clergy regularly to ensure that everything is in order concerning the sacrament. Couples are encouraged to speak with their pastor, priest, or deacon to learn more about how to get involved in the parish community. Marrying clergy can then connect the couple with the Diocesan Office for Marriage and Family Life to begin the process of registering for the Pre-Cana program in the Diocese of Wilmington.
STEP TWO
The Diocese of Wilmington provides an excellent educational component, Life Skills for Couples, through Ascension Press, as the required marriage preparation course in the Catholic Diocese of Wilmington. Life Skills for Couples is specifically designed to introduce the couple to the rich and engaging teachings of the Catholic faith and the Sacrament of Matrimony. Throughout this process, the couple will gain insight into themselves as individuals and as part of a couple. Practical advice and spiritual resources will be shared with the couple that will support a life-long and joyful Catholic marriage. Click here to register for Life Skills AFTER Step One.
STEP THREE
The Church invites all Catholics to prepare themselves spiritually prior to their marriage by celebrating the Sacrament of Reconciliation. The regular practice of the Sacrament of Reconciliation keeps marriages healthy and strong.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) recognizes the importance of promoting holy and healthy marriages. On the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops website, you can find information on the Church’s teaching regarding marriage and family; resources for engaged couples and marriage at every stage; encouragement for living family life as a domestic church; and news of ongoing initiatives of the USCCB that support and promote marriage and family life. Click here for resources from the USCCB.
For your Marriage is an initiative of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) that provides resources for couples at all stages of life. From dating to marriage, to family planning, information is available to help understand and live God’s plan for happy, holy marriages. These pages provide resources for Engaged Couples.
Marriage Unique for a Reason is an initiative of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) that offers resources to educate Catholics on why marriage is unique and why it should be promoted and protected as the union of one man and one woman. Click here.
Nuptial Mass Readings – The readings at a Catholic wedding liturgy are a proclamation of God’s Word and of the Church’s faith about marriage. For this reason, they are limited to readings from the scriptures (the Bible). Learn more.
Convalidation: Bringing Your Marriage into The Church is intended to give a basic overview of the convalidation process. Because every couple’s situation is unique and because practices related to the implementation of the process may vary from diocese to diocese, persons interested in pursuing a convalidation and/or a declaration of nullity should speak with their parish priest or a professional at the local Tribunal. Click here.
MARRIAGE PREPARATION VIDEO RESOURCES
Sacrament of Marriage by Catholic Central – Marriage is one of the most common institutions across every time and culture. But what do Catholics mean when they talk about Marriage? Why are there so many rules around it? Click Here – Marriage – Catholic Central
Sacrament of Marriage by Bishop Barron – Bishop Baron reflects on his niece’s wedding and how they have become living symbols of Christ the Bridegroom’s ecstatic love for his Bride, the Church. Click Here – Bishop Barron
Coffee Talk with Fr. Brad – Everything You Wanted to know about Marriage Prep – This video details many aspects of marriage preparation. The requirements in the Diocese of Wilmington may differ; however, this resource does provide information that you may find helpful. Click Here – Coffee Talk with Fr. Brad
Looking Ahead – Pre-Cana Classes – 2024/2025
| October 12 – (8:30-10:00am) | February 22 – (8:30-10:00am) |
| October 22 – (6:30-8:00pm) | March 8 – (8:30-10:00am) |
| November 2 – (8:30-10:00am) | March 19 – (6:30-8:00pm) |
| November 12 – (6:30-8:00pm) | April 5 – (8:30-10:00am) |
| December 3 – (6:30-8:00pm) | April 29 – (6:30-8:00pm) |
| 2025 | May 17 – (8:30-10:00am) |
| January 7 – (6:30-8:00pm) | June 7 – (8:30-10:00am) |
| January 25 – (8:30-10:00am) | June 24– (6:30-8:00pm) |
| February 5 – (6:30-8:00pm) | August 21– (6:30-8:00pm) |
Friendly Reminder: There are only 1-2 virtual Pre-Cana sessions per month with a limited number of participants per class. All course registrations are closed two weeks before the class OR once a course has 15 couples registered (Full). Because of the self-completion part of the program, couples must register for the Pre-Cana courses at least 3-4 months before the date.
*Beginning January 1, 2025 – the price for Pre-Cana classes will be $150.00.
Pre-Cana Refund and Reschedule Policies
We certainly understand that outside circumstances may cause you to change the date of your Pre-Cana session.
Rescheduling – You can reschedule your Pre-Cana session free of charge for a course that remains open. In order to reschedule, you must call the Office for Marriage and Family Life at 302-573-3130.
Cancellation – If you would like to completely cancel your Pre-Cana session, please do so with the following refund policy in mind. This policy allows the Diocese of Wilmington to cover costs incurred and ensures that the Office for Marriage and Family Life can provide you with the best experience possible.
- If you cancel your Pre-Cana session after materials have been mailed, there will be a $50 cancellation fee.
- If you cancel your Pre-Cana session the week of or after the scheduled online zoom session, there will be no refund issued.
As always, the Pre-Cana certificate never expires. While most Diocese and Archdiocese accept our Pre-Cana sessions as marriage preparation, you must check to be sure. Each Diocese and Archdiocese across the United States has different expectations and requirements for engaged couples. After completion of the self-completion work, the zoom session and the evaluation, the Diocese of Wilmington Office for Marriage and Family Life will email you an official Pre-Cana Certificate.