Marriage Preparation

When: Before you set a wedding date. 

Contact your parish as soon as possible--preferably one year but  at least six months before your desired wedding date. Once you are engaged, contact your pastor right away to set up a meeting. During this initial meeting, the pastor can determine if both parties are free to marry. He will also provide you with the information you need to complete the remaining steps of your marriage preparation process. Please remember, it is essential to have this meeting as early as possible to have enough time to resolve any particular issues, obtain necessary documents, and benefit fully from the marriage preparation process.

When: As soon as possible after meeting with your pastor.

Most parishes will require you to complete the FOCCUS marriage preparation inventory. FOCCUS is a series of questions designed to assess each of your habits, expectations, and values. It will provide you with a personalized profile of your relationship’s strengths and weaknesses. The inventory is an important starting place for couple discussion and a map of the areas that may need affirmation, attention, or problem-solving. Some parishes may use the PREPARE inventory instead of FOCCUS. Both are approved by the Diocese of Madison. Ask your pastor to set up the inventory for you.

When: Six months before the wedding.

There are currently three options for Catholic marriage preparation approved for the Diocese of Madison, as detailed below. Your pastor will help you determine which of the following marriage prep courses to pursue.

Option 1: Witness to Love

 Witness to Love is the preferred option for Catholic marriage preparation in the Diocese of Madison. Ask your pastor if Witness to Love is available at your parish! One of the first parts of your Witness to Love journey is choosing a mentor couple. Why should you choose your own mentor couple? There is an immediate benefit from inviting a couple whom you trust and admire to walk with you before and after your wedding day. Your relationship with a trusted mentor that you already know will help provide ongoing renewal as well as the spiritual and relational support needed throughout your married life. Rooted, lasting relationships are vital for every newly married couple! You will also experience the delight of seeing the surprise and appreciation in your mentor couple’s eyes when you put into words your esteem for their witness to love.

Option 2: Online Pre-Cana

With your pastor's approval, you can choose to take the Online Pre-Cana - Theology of the Body Marriage Prep Course from CatholicMarriagePrep.com. This is a one-on-one online mentor-led pre-cana program that covers the theological and sacramental aspects of marriage and sexuality and expands upon the life-skills couples will need throughout their marriage. Taught online with the one-on-one mentoring of a married instructor couple. The online class is particulary effective for today's busy engaged couples. It's especially useful for couples with irregular schedules or those separated by distance during the engagement. 

Register at CatholicMarriagePrep.com. Go to the Course Info tab, choose Online Pre-Cana from the dropdown menu, and look for the Register button on the sidebar. Course is also available in Spanish.

Option 3: Marriage Prep Weekend Retreat

A retreat is a great option that allows you to set aside an entire weekend to focus on one another away from distractions and the stressors of daily life. The weekend includes preparation for the sacrament of marriage, time to reflect on your unique relationship, tools to live a joy filled marriage and it gives you an opportunity to grow closer to one another through Jesus Christ  with the offering of confession, adoration, and mass. The retreat typically begins on Friday evening and ends Sunday afternoon. This may be shortened to begin on Friday evening and end Saturday evening depending on the current COVID-19 situation. In addition we are taking steps to allow for social distancing, proper food handling and service, etc. If you would like to attend a retreat but have any questions or concerns (regarding COVID or anything else) please let us know! We are happy to help.

Visit the MP Retreat page for more information and to REGISTER for a retreat!

• October 1-3, 2021 at Durward's Glen, Baraboo
• February 4-6, 2022 at Camp Gray, Baraboo
• March 11-13, 2022 at Durward's Glen, Baraboo
• May 20-22, 2022 at Durward's Glen, Baraboo

For questions call Beth at 608-821-3026 or email at [email protected]

When: Four to six months before your wedding.  Be sure to register far enough in advance so you can complete the course (before your wedding), which involves formal instruction and multiple chart reviews/followups.

To ensure you have the tools to plan your family effectively and in accord with God’s plan for marriage, you will have the opportunity to learn Natural Family Planning. See current schedule below. The Diocese has instructors available in a variety of methods. Questions about NFP? Check out our FAQ page!  If you wish to learn another method other than what the diocese offers, please contact Vicki Braun to discuss best options. [email protected] or 608-495-6117.

To register for an NFP course, click here:  NFP Registration     

When: Four to six weeks before the wedding.

As the date of your wedding approaches, you should meet again with the priest or deacon who will be witnessing your marriage. You will have the opportunity to discuss your experience of the marriage preparation, finalize liturgical plans for the ceremony, and address any additional needs that you have.

When: One to four weeks before the wedding.

The Church invites all Catholics to prepare themselves spiritually by receiving the sacrament of Reconciliation shortly before their wedding day. This will allow you to receive all the graces and all the love that God desires to pour out upon you in the sacrament of marriage. Make an appointment with your pastor or find out when confessions are regularly heard at your parish. Haven't been to Confession in a while? Not to worry! Here is what you need:

• An Examination of Conscience
• A Practical Guide on How to Go to Confession

Congratulations on making it to your big day! But remember, this is only the beginning! Stay connected to God by going to Sunday Mass every week and talk to your pastor about ways to get involved in the parish so that you can nourish and sustain your love for each other in a welcoming and supportive community. And tap into some other great resources for building healthy marriages and families like these:

• For Your Marriage
• Prepare Enrich Blog
• Witness To Love - Be Light