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This information is to provide you with very
simple step-by-step instructions of what is
required before you start the process of
getting prepared for marriage in the
Catholic Church; for more information please
download the booklet
Getting
Married in the Catholic Church from our website.
1. Think of the selection of the Church for the wedding (At least one year in
advance): Usually weddings are to be celebrated in the parish where either
of the Catholic parties resides. Weddings may sometimes be celebrated in another
Catholic Church or chapel, but only with the permission of the proper pastor. Weddings are ordinarily to take place in a Roman Catholic Church. Exceptions may
be made for mixed marriages or marriage with a non-baptized person.
2. Notify your parish (At least 8 months in advance): This step
is very important in order to allow sufficient time to carry out the various
steps of the marriage preparation process, a couple should contact their parish
as soon as they make the decision to marry, this contact should be made at least
6-9 months prior to the anticipates time of their wedding. If any of the parties
has been previously married, extra time must be allowed for satisfying the
requirements for marriage in the Church.
3. Initial Interview (At least 8 months in advance): This is the
first step on the premarital preparation process, and it consists in sitting
down for an initial conversation with the pastor or deacon who will be the
person responsible for your marriage preparation. In no case should the initial
interview take place or the phone or done by the parish secretary or
receptionist.
4. Final selection of the Church for the wedding (At least 8 months
in advance): Usually weddings are to be celebrated in the parish where
either of the catholic parties resides. Weddings may sometimes be celebrated in
another Catholic Church or chapel, but only with the permission of the proper
pastor. Weddings are ordinarily to take place in a Roman Catholic Church.
Exceptions may be made for mixed marriages or marriage with a non-baptized
person.
5. Faith Readiness (At least 7 months in advance): This is a very important
piece of the discernment process because the marriage of two baptized Christians
is a sacrament, and it requires the presence of faith in its recipients, the
identification and degree of your faith.
6. Marriage Readiness (At least 6 months in advance): Although there is not
possible to determine a couple’s readiness to marry, there are clear indicators
that can predict potential problems or even an eventual failure of the marriage,
this is a very good help that is given, as an aid for the couple from the priest
or deacon.
Areas of Concern: There are some issues that should be addressed as part
of the discernment process as concern, and if some concerns are present they
should be treated or discussed before go further in the process of marriage
preparation.
7. Formational Programs (At least 6 months in advance)
- This is an important
part of the marriage preparation process and it is intended to help the couple
to understand better the human and Christian aspects of marriage.
8. Follow-up to formational program (at least 4 months in advance): The
priest or deacon who is helping the couple prepare for marriage is responsible
for seeing that catechesis in the sacrament of marriage has been completed.
9. Preparing the Liturgy (at least three months in advance): During the
follow-up sessions with the priest or deacon final plans for the liturgical
celebration may be made regarding music, readings and ritual. Catholics entering
marriage are encourage to celebrate the sacrament of reconciliation at some time
prior to the wedding ceremony.
10. Wedding Rehearsal: This step may be conducted by the priest or deacon
witnessing the marriage or by his representative (Wedding rehearsal
coordinator). This is a great opportunity for the couple to join together in
prayer.
For more exhaustive
information on the Sacrament of Marriage,
please check:
Catechism of Catholic Church
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