Preparing for Marriage

Getting Married?
All couples getting married in the Catholic Church are led through a process of preparation that includes meeting with the priest or deacon who is officiating, completing a pre-marital inventory (see below), and completing a marriage preparation program, which is usually assigned by the person responsible for the couple’s preparation (some program options are listed below). The priest, deacon or appropriate parish personnel will also walk through all the liturgical arrangements and other necessary details for the wedding day.                                                                                                                                                                     Crystal Anderson Photography
Pre-Marital Inventory
Couples will be directed to complete an inventory, or a sort of "personality test" for their relationship to give them and those walking with them in the preparation process a clear picture of where their strengths lie and where they might focus their energy as a couple to grow closer. The two options most used in the Diocese of Houma Thibodaux are Prepare-Enrich and FOCCUS. The priest, deacon or marriage prep coordinator will arrange for the couple to complete this inventory online, and a qualified facilitator will discuss the results. This is not a "pass or fail" exercise or a "compatibility test," but an opportunity for couples to get to know one another more deeply in a process that is customized to their particular relationship.

Marriage Preparation Programs
Mentor Couple Programs
Relationship-focused programs are the ideal option for marriage preparation. They provide a personalized, relational approach, and they have the potential for fostering long-term connections between couples who can support one other as they encounter joys and challenges throughout their lives, rather than just during the preparation stage.

1. Witness to Love - This parish-based mentor program is offered in a number of parishes in our diocese and it is believed to be the most effective marriage preparation program available today. For more details, go to https://witnesstolove.org/.

If a church parish or pastor is interested in starting a Witness to Love Program, their liaison can walk them through the process.

2. Catholic Marriage Prep Online - Ideal for couples who are unable to connect with local resources. Unlike other online marriage prep programs, which require a couple to watch a series of videos and discuss the content amongst themselves before obtaining a certificate of completion, Catholic Marriage Prep Online connects engaged couples with a mentor couple online who assists them through the process. They cover both theology and catechesis as well as the practical skills needed for a successful marriage. The sessions are structured in a "go at your own pace" format – scheduling with a mentor couple isn't necessary. For details or to register, go to https://catholicmarriageprep.com.

Retreats
Two other diocesan approved options for marriage preparation are the ENGAGED Course hosted by Paul and Gretchen George of Discover the Art of Living, and the Catholic Engaged Encounter Retreat, which are both intended to supplement a broader marriage preparation process facilitated by either the pastor or deacon officiating the wedding or their designated representative. Information about both options can be found here:

1. ENGAGED Course - Registration and more information can be found at http://discovertheartofliving.com/engaged. This is a combination of a video retreat and a live processing discussion over Zoom with Paul and Gretchen George. After registering, the video retreat is taken by the couple and then they schedule a personal Zoom call with Paul and Gretchen to unpack what they received in the retreat.


2. Catholic Engaged Encounter Retreat - These weekend retreats give engaged couples the opportunity to intentionally invest in their relationship as they prepare for the sacrament of marriage. While these retreats are not held in the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux, there are opportunities to attend retreats in the Archdiocese of New Orleans and the Dioceses of Lafayette and Baton Rouge.


Video Options
Video programs can be incorporated into a larger marriage preparation process to facilitate conversation between the engaged couple, a mentor couple, and/or the priest preparing them for marriage. Leader guides are included to assist in the discussion. There are two main options available: Joy-Filled Marriage (Ascension Press); and Beloved (FORMED.org/Augustine Institute), which are both available in Spanish.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   Krystal Troutt Photography