Steps to Get Married
Steps To Get Married
Step 1: Meet With Your Priest Or Deacon
When: Recommended 8-12 Months before the wedding.
As soon as possible after your engagement, contact your priest or deacon to assist you with your marriage preparation. At the initial meeting he will determine if you and your fiancé(e) are free to marry in the Church; he will provide you with information for completing Steps 2-6 of this process; and he will set up a schedule for future meetings.
Step 2 - Marriage Preparation Inventory
When: As soon as possible or after meeting with your priest or deacon
Complete a marriage preparation “inventory,” which is a set of questions to help you assess the strengths and weaknesses of your relationship and any areas that need further discussion or attention. Typically these marriage inventories are from FOCCUS or Fully-Engaged.
Step 3: The Marriage Preparation Course / Retreat
When: Recommended 8-12 months before the wedding
The Archdiocese offers an excellent marriage preparation program designed to introduce you to God’s plan for your marriage. The course also includes virtue-based instruction on communication, conflict resolution and financial decision-making. Some parishes offer this program within the parish with a mentor couple. VIEW AND/OR REGISTER FOR ARCHDIOCESAN MARRIAGE PREP CLASS
Step 4 - Natural Family Planning Intro Course
When: Recommended at least 3-6 months before your wedding, but the sooner the better.
Natural Family Planning (NFP) is not only effective for planning your family it is also highly effective in overcoming obstacles that compromise your ability to become parents. MORE NFP INFO
Step 5: Sacrament Of Reconciliation
When: Before the wedding as necessary
The Church invites all Catholics to prepare themselves spiritually prior to their marriage by celebrating the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Even if you are not of the Catholic faith, you still would benefit from spiritual direction.The regular practice of the Sacrament of Reconciliation keeps marriages healthy and strong.
Step 6: Liturgy Planning
When: Before the wedding
The priest will provide a booklet to help you plan your wedding ceremony. Watching the USCCB video Saying I Do...What Happens at a Catholic Wedding is very helpful for this process. Click Here to View the Video
***The Above 6 Steps are available in a trifold brochure in both English and Spanish. Please click here for ordering information.***
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To change your Marriage Preparation class dates with the Archdiocese of St Louis please email [email protected].