Marriage Preparation: Catechesis and Formation

Because the Catholic Church believes that marriage is not only a sacred covenant between a man and a woman, but also the foundation of healthy communities, all Catholic dioceses around the world offer engaged couples an opportunity to learn all they can about what it takes to build lasting marriage that gets better all the time.

Couples who are adequately prepared for marriage learn how to communicate in loving ways, resolve conflicts effectively, and begin to create a marriage built on respect, trust, intimacy, forgiveness, faith and unconditional love.

The Diocese of Trenton offers a variety of marriage preparation classes to suit the individual tastes and needs of today's engaged couples. These include Engaged Encounter weekends, Pre-Cana Conferences, and other selected programs offered by individual parishes for their parishioners. Couples in which one or both parties are remarrying in the Church after the death of a spouse or annulment must attend a diocesan "To Trust Again" remarriage workshop.

Couples are required to attend one of these marriage preparation programs offered by the Diocese of Trenton. Your priest, deacon, or pastoral minister may recommend one to you. Dates and program descriptions are found in the Family Life Directory available at the parish office. Early registration is strongly recommended.

You may also check the Getting Married page of the Diocese of Trenton website to see the programs, their availability, and in some cases, to register online.

After Attending the Marriage Preparation Session

After you participate in one of the Shared Preparation sessions (Pre-Cana, Engaged Encounter, etc.), you will meet with your priest, deacon, or pastoral minister. Remember to bring the certificate of attendance from the Shared Preparation session, and give it to your preparer for placement in your nuptial file.

These meetings should include discussion of your experience of the Shared Preparation session any further catechetical issues raised by your preparer, and any concerns you or the preparer may have.

At those meetings, you should also complete parts II and III of the "Prenuptial Investigation for Catholic Churches in the State of New Jersey" form.