Marriage Preparation

 

First Meeting w/Fr. Hunter 

Introduction 

  • Offer congratulations, and thank the couple for allowing Saint Roch Catholic Church to be part of their journey to marriage.

  • Ask to see the bride’s engagement ring, and ask the couple to share their proposal story.

  • Explain the role of the priest in marriage preparation (to facilitate conversation and offer insights).

  • Why do you want to get married in the Catholic Church?

Sacramentality of Marriage 

  • Define “sacrament.”

  • Define “covenant” by providing examples from Sacred Scripture, and identify marriage as a covenant bond that is permanent.

  • Why do you want to get married?

  • Explain the importance of consent to the Sacrament of Marriage.

  • Comment on Natural Family Planning and connect it to the total self-giving the Sacrament of Marriage requires.

  • Ask about their openness/ desire to children.

MA Form (Part II) – Establishment of Freedom 

  • Ask the bride and groom the questions that determine their freedom to marry.

(Discussion of Cohabitation) 

  • Reiterate the permanence of marriage and how cohabitation undermines commitment and permanence.

  • Ask cohabitating couples: “How will the day after your wedding be different from the day before it?”

  • Ask about their openness/ desire to children.

Second Meeting w/Fr. Hunter 

Telling of Bride and Groom’s Individual Stories (Prior to Meeting Each Other) 

  • Personal Background

  • “What is your educational and work experience?”

  • “Tell me about your parents’ marriage and what you learned from it (both good and bad).”

  • “How many siblings do you have?”

  • Relationship History

  • “When did you experience your first crush?” “What drew you to that person?”

  • “Why did you break up with previous significant others?”

  • Does the significant other always initiate the break-up?

  • Does the bride or groom always date emotionally un-present people?

Examination of FOCCUS Results 

  • Treatment of Individual Questions of Concern

  • Consideration / Development of Next Steps

  • Re-visit the next steps and progress made at the third meeting.

 

Third Meeting w/Fr. Hunter  

FOCCUS Insights / Progress 

  • Ask the couple to share any insights gleaned from the FOCCUS about the relationship.

Feedback  

  • What was most helpful about the Engaged Couples Conference?

  • What do you feel like you didn’t get enough of / need more of?

  • How can we improve our preparation for the Sacrament of Marriage?

MA Form (Part III) – Consent Declaration 

  • Ask the bride and groom to establish their consent on the final page of the MA form.

Remaining Details (Marriage License, Liturgy Questions, Etc.) 

  • Direct the couple to provide some brief explanation as to why they chose the Scripture readings they did for the wedding, and what insights the Scriptures offer them as they begin their married life.

  • This should be emailed to Fr. Hunter at least one month before the wedding.