The first step is a meeting with the parish priest or Parish Catechetical Leader to begin the wedding planning and preparation for married life. This should take place between six to twelve months prior the anticipated wedding date and before any arrangements are made or a wedding date is set. During this interview, the pastoral minister will provide an explanation of the Pastoral Guidelines for Marriage Preparation. Please discuss if:
The Parish Catechetical Leader will us a variety of methods to assist in determining the maturity of the couple and their rediness for mariage.
You will be paired with a mentor couple from our parish. With a mentor couple by your side, you will encounter Christ as a couple, grow in your relationship with Christ, and learn how to better serve each other and your future children! Our mentor couples have committed themselves to joyfully living out the Catholic vocation of marriage and are willing to walk with men and women who are preparing for Holy Matrimony. Once you are paired with a mentor couple, you will meet with them for five sessions (via Zoom or in person, if safe) to deepen your understanding of the Sacrament of Marriage and talk through some of the practical matters of marriage using the premarital inventory Fully Engaged.
Along the way, our mentor couples will also introduce you to other young married couples who are part of our parish community and get you plugged into a men’s or women’s group.
The final date for the wedding is not to be set until the entire assessment process
(A & B) has been completed and a decision to proceed has been made.
After the readiness for marriage has been determined, the couple will finalize the wedding date and begin the instruction process. The Parish Catechetical Leader will outline the sacramental preparation required (Pre Cana, Pre Cana Weekend Retreat, Remarriage, Convalidation, interviews with the priest, etc.) Taking an extended period of time to focus solely on your relationship and future bond in marriage is incredibly valuable. You will not regret investing this time into your future marriage.
Before the wedding ceremony can take place, the prenuptial file must be completed with the following documents:
“Couples already civilly married are not coming to the Catholic Church for a “blessing of their marriage.” They are consenting to become a sacramental couple in the sight of the Catholic community. A sacramental marriage is an ongoing journey that begins on the day of your Convalidation and lasts a lifetime. It involves the married couples’ relationship with God and the Church community as they strive daily to live their sacramental promise.” (Taken from Picture of Love: Convalidation Workbook)
Convalidation is for couples who have been civilly married for more than 2 years but are looking to validate their marriage in the Roman Catholic Church.
ENGAGED COUPLES WEEKEND RETREAT- Is a weekend experience beginning on Friday at 7 p.m. and ending Sunday early afternoon. Held at San Pedro Center, Winter Park. (www.sanpedrocenter.org). Recommended for engaged couples with no previous marriage and no children. When either the bride or groom are bringing children from a previous relationship into the marriage, a Step-family Workshop is highly recommended or required as well. For Dates and Registration, register online through the Diocese of Orlando.
ONE DAY WORKSHOP – Is held monthly on Saturdays from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. throughout the Diocese. Recommended for couples being married for the first time or if a former marriage was of a very brief duration and no children are involved. This program is offered in the Orlando Area each month.
REMARRIAGE – Remarriage Preparation is held quarterly on Saturdays, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. This program is recommended for couples where one or both have been previously married (even when that marriage has been annulled) and there are children involved.
It is also recommended when there are no children but the former marriage was lengthy and/or if the separation has not been very long. The day is facilitated by the Family Life Office Staff. Sessions include Challenges of a Step-family, Communication and Relationship Skills and are presented by a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist.
CONVALIDATION WORKSHOP – This workshop is recommended for couples that have been civilly married for longer than 2 years. When couples have been civilly married for less than two years it is recommended that they attend a Pre-Cana Weekend Retreat (or a Marriage Encounter Weekend).
All Catholics should be married in the Roman Catholic Church. Any person who has been previously married in the Church or civilly married, and whose previous spouse is still alive, regardless of civil divorce or civil annulment, is not free to marry in the Church. These people should seek a church declaration of nullity of marriage. If you are in need of an annulment, contact one of the Priests in the parish who will arrange advocacy. There is no charge to receive an annulment in the church.