MARRIAGE GUIDELINES
CONGRATULATIONS!Your commitment to marry is a sign of God's love and faithfulness. The Christian community shares your joy as you prepare for the holy Sacrament of Marriage and a new life together. By choosing to celebrate the Catholic Rite of Marriage, you acknowledge the importance of God in your life. We encourage you to prepare well. This booklet is also a resource to help make your wedding day as meaningful as possible. May God's richest blessings be yours in everlasting love.
MARRIAGE PREPARATION: The Official ProcessThe Marriage Preparation is a minimum of 6 months as the Archdiocese of Los Angeles recommends. You will need to submit several documents that allows time for evaluation of a couple's readiness for sacramental married life. You and your fiancé will have a one-on-one interview with a priest, deacon or other parish official to determine whether there are any impediments to your marriage - that is, an issue (such as a previous marriage) that must be resolved before you can be married in the Church. Other issues discussed will include any special circumstances (such as mental illness, lack of financial support, or pregnancy) that might require additional pastoral care, and possibly professional counseling.
MARRIAGE PREPARATION PROGRAMAfter the initial meeting, you will be required to participate in a session where you will have an opportunity to assess your readiness for marriage and to assist you in understanding that marriage is a Vocation, a Covenant and a Sacrament.
Marriage Preparation are sessions of one-day or three-evening classes consist of presentations to engaged couples on topics such as the sacramentality and spirituality of marriage, communication, finances, and intimacy.
Engaged Encounter Weekend is a full weekend experience of marriage preparation. The weekend combines learning practical skills for a successful marriage while sharing the experience of a private retreat setting with your fiancé.
You will be provided with a list of churches who are hosting these sessions. You may also visit https://familylife.lacatholics.org/marriage-preparation to see lists of churches along with dates and time. It is your responsible to call the church you choose to attend as soon as possible to ensure your spot. It is recommended to attend the class in the first 3 months of the 6 month marriage preparation, but to attend the class earlier is always better.