The Sacrament of Marriage is a covenant, something far deeper than a contract. In this covenant, husband and wife enter a sacred and enduring relationship—a lifelong union rooted in love, faith, and a shared call to reflect God’s love in the world. Because marriage is also a liturgical act, it is most fittingly celebrated within the Church, in the presence of the community. The Catholic Church invites couples to celebrate their marriage within the Eucharistic Liturgy, where their love is united with Christ’s love for the Church. (USCCB)
At the Office of Faith Formation and Parish Life, we are dedicated to supporting parish marriage ministries as you help couples discover the beauty, grace, and strength found in a Sacramental marriage and vibrant Catholic family life. Through outreach, education, reflection, and prayer, we hope to equip and encourage you in this vital ministry.
We also recognize that marriage ministry looks different in every parish—and that life and relationships can sometimes be messy. We are here to help you find what works best for your community and to accompany you as you walk with couples through both the joys and challenges of married life.
Resources for Preparation
Pastors have several options to support marriage mentoring with additional resources, if that is needed or desired. The USCCB provides a comprehensive list of resources on the For Your Marriage website.
The Office of Faith Formation and Parish Life recommends the following resources:
- Witness to Love offers options for both first-time marriages and convalidations, as well as continuing ministry options for married couples. Available in English, Spanish, French and Vietnamese.
- Joy-Filled Marriage offers a comprehensive marriage preparation that covers sacramentality, theology and practical life skills. Available in English and Spanish.
- Transformed in Love a program created by the Archdiocese of Boston that offers options for first-time marriages and convalidations. Available in English and Spanish.
- Better Together offers marriage preparation and marriage enrichment programs created by Dynamic Catholic. Available in English, some materials available in Spanish.
Note: Except for a few particular circumstances, or if pastoral necessity dictates otherwise, marriage preparation should be done in person.