Marriage Preparation
Congratulations on your Engagement!
We are glad that you are considering preparing for the sacrament of marriage at the Newman Center! The All Saints Catholic Newman Center community has made a commitment to support you in your preparation for marriage by providing a comprehensive program that will guide you and your future spouse in strengthening your relationship with one another and with God. Responsible participation in this process is an indication of a serious understanding of the commitment underlying your relationship. After reading the following information about our marriage preparation program, we invite you to contact us to begin the process.
Catholic Understanding of Marriage
A wedding in the Catholic Church is a religious event, requiring a public act of faith by the couple who are asking the Church, the priest and the assembled community, to witness their exchange of vows and pray that their new covenant of mutual life and love will continue to be an enduring sign to others of Jesus' intimate and faithful covenant with the People of God.
Check out the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops marriage website. You will find great resources for preparing for and nurturing your marriage.
Marriage Preparation in the Catholic Church
The Catholic Church believes firmly in the importance of thoughtful and responsible preparation for the lifetime commitment of marriage. Research demonstrates the effectiveness of careful marriage preparation. In order to be married in any Catholic church in the United States, a couple must first complete all steps of the marriage preparation process. The requirements for marriage preparation in the Diocese of Phoenix may be viewed on the Diocese's web site.
When should we begin the marriage preparation process?
The Diocese of Phoenix requires a minimum of nine months of preparation time before a wedding. However, because of the importance of this lifelong commitment and the challenge of carefully preparing for a marriage while simultaneously planning a wedding and juggling other day-to-day responsibilities, we encourage engaged couples to begin the preparation process even earlier.
