A Marriage that is desired, prepared for, celebrated, and lived daily in the light of faith is that which is joined by the Church, strengthened by a sacrificial offering sealed by a blessing, announced by Angels and ratified by the father ….
~ from The Order of Celebrating Matrimony, USCCB
Congratulations on your engagement to each other and making the decision to celebrate the Sacrament of Matrimony!
Please review the following steps. The steps below serve as a guide for best practices. Each parish, in the Archdiocese of Hartford, in collaboration with the Office of Faith Formation and Parish Life, has the discretion to use programs and materials that best suit the needs of their community.
If you have any questions, please contact Valerie St. Jean at 860-242-5573 or Valerie.StJean@aohct.org.
Setting the Date
BEFORE setting a wedding date, please meet with your parish priest at least six month to a year to begin preparation and to complete a Pre-Marital Investigation to determine your freedom to marry. This MUST be done before reserving a venue for the reception.
Pre-Marital Assessment
The Pre-Marital Assessment is a tool to understand yourselves and each other better, celebrating strengths and highlighting opportunities for growth in your relationship. Your parish priest or preparation facilitator, will guide you in administering this assessment and review the results with you.
Marriage Preparation Program
The Catholic Church teaches that marriage is a vocation: a call from God and a response from two people who promise to build, with the help of divine grace, a lifelong, intimate and sacramental partnership of love and life.
The Catholic Church wants couples to be well-prepared for the Sacrament of Marriage. Parishes offer marriage preparation to help couples develop a better understanding of the sacrament, to evaluate and deepen their readiness to live married life, and to gain insights into themselves as individuals and as a couple.
Options may include:
- In-person marriage preparation class
- working with a marriage mentor couple
- accessing an online program
If your parish priest recommends the Dynamic Catholic Better Together online marriage preparation program, please follow these easy steps below. Note: The Dynamic Catholic Better Together online program is a free email program designed to be convenient and flexible. There are six video sessions and a Couples Guide, with discussion questions and journaling space. The Couples Guide is a free download or hard copies can be purchased through Dynamic Catholic.
- Complete the Archdiocese of Hartford (AOH) registration form by clicking on the Register button below.
- After you complete the AOH registration form, you will be sent to the Dynamic Catholic Better Together online program website.
- Please complete the Dynamic Catholic registration process as directed. You will receive an email from Dynamic Catholic with your first week’s video to watch. Each week, for five weeks, you will get an email with videos and instructions.
- Instructions to purchase a hardcopy of the Couples Guide can be found on the Dynamic Catholic Marriage Preparation page or you can down download the free PDF by clicking here.
- For technical support contact Dynamic Catholic directly at (859)980-7900 or info@dynamiccatholic.com
- Don’t forget to take the Better Together Marriage Inventory available from the Dynamic Catholic Better Together Marriage Preparation Page.
- Complete the six online session sessions using the videos and Couples Guide.
- After completing these sessions you will instructed to take an easy quiz.
- When the quiz is complete, you will be directed to print your certificate.
- Send your certificate to your parish letting them know you have completed the preparation.
- Complete the Archdiocese of Hartford registration form: https://form.typeform.com/to/D1KQvevu
Marriage Preparation Retreat
If available in your area, attend a Marriage Preparation Retreat. A retreat provides you and your future spouse the opportunity to step away from wedding planning and focus on the love you have for each other, while growing your love and knowledge of God and His plan for your marriage. Consult your parish priest for more information.
Final Preparations
Please collect the following documents:
Sacramental Records
- Catholics – A copy of your baptismal certificate (must be dated within six months of your wedding). Please contact the parish where you received your Sacraments.
- Other Christian Denominations – A copy of your baptismal record.
- Other sacramental documentation as may be requested by the presiding priest.
Marriage License
Obtained at the city hall of the municipality where the ceremony is going to take place.
Celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation
The Catholic Church invites all baptized Catholics to prepare themselves spiritually prior to their marriage by making an Examination of Conscience and then celebrating the Sacrament of Reconciliation with your parish priest. Below are a few examples:
- Examination of Conscience for Engaged Couples
- Examination of Conscience Based on the Ten Commandments
Plan your Wedding Liturgy
The booklet Together for Life is available from your parish priest. It offers readings, reflections, options for prayers and vows, and helpful information regarding the wedding liturgy. Take time together to reflect on these options as it will draw you deeper into your understanding of the Sacrament of Matrimony, as well as in the love and commitment you will share with your future spouse.
Pause, Breath and Pray
Planning a wedding is a journey filled with excitement, love, and anticipation of a lifetime of happiness. However, even the most organized and well thought out plans can lead to stress and anxiety. Remember that a wedding is just one day, a marriage lasts a lifetime. Take time out to enjoy this period of preparation and open your hearts, inviting Christ into your lives where His gifts of unconditional love and grace prevail.
Dear Lord,
As we stand on the threshold of marriage, we humbly seek your blessings and guidance.
We pray for unity in our hearts, minds, and actions as we embark on this sacred journey of wedding preparation.
Grant us the strength to work together harmoniously, to make decisions that honor both of our desires, and to grow closer to each other throughout this process.
May our love be the guiding force in all our choices, reminding us of the deep bond we share. We thank you for the gift of each other and ask for your divine presence to bless our journey.
Amen.
~ Strengthinprayer.com
If you have any questions, feel free to contact:
Valerie St.Jean
Associate Director of Adult and Family Life Ministries
Valerie.StJean@aohct.org
860-242-5573