Contact your parish as soon as possible--at least six months before your wedding date, preferably one year before your wedding.

You will need to discuss the marriage preparation process, determine canonical and civil eligibility for marriage, and explore the possibility for the sacrament of Confirmation if needed. You will also be able to discuss any questions or concerns that you may have, e.g. about a prior marriage, differences in faith (Catholic and non-Catholic), or if one of you may be from a different diocese.

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 attend the marriage preparation programs offered.

Your parish may require you to complete the FOCCUS marriage preparation inventory. FOCCUS is a series of statements 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 area that may need affirmation, attention, or problem solving.

FOCCUS is facilitated by a trained parish priest or married couple and is completed at the parish. Inquire about this step when you meet with your pastor.

The God's Plan for a Joy-Filled Marriage seminar offers engaged couples a complete understanding of God's glorious plan for marriage and sexuality. Based on Pope John Paul II's Theology of the Body, this program explores Church teachings on marriage and what it means to live out the vows of matrimony--free, total, faithful, and fruitful love. Resources provided include Christopher West's book, The Good News about Sex & Marriage, and a student workbook. The God's Plan seminars follow a Saturday, Sunday, or two-evening format.

• For more details, see the Marriage Preparation Schedule link below
• Register for Steps 3-5 online
• Take care of this step on a weekend retreat

The Real Life, Real Love seminar involves married couples sharing their experiences on issues important to long-lasting marriages: self-awareness, communication, sexuality, and faith. Each couple is provided significant time for personal reflection and couple dialogue. The Real Life, Real Love seminars follow a Saturday, Sunday, or two-evening format.

• For more details, see the Marriage Preparation Schedule link below
• Register for Steps 3-5 online
• Take care of this step on a weekend retreat

To ensure that 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 (NFP). To sign up for an NFP course select either of the 3 different methods that are available in the Diocese: the Billings Ovulation Method, the Couple to Couple League Method, or the Creighton Model Method, or contact the NFP office about how to learn from home at NFP@straphael.org. Not only is it a morally acceptable way to plan your family, it also benefits a couple's relationship with a nearly non-existent divorce rate among NFP-practicing couples.

Three different methods of NFP instruction are available in the Diocese. Classes are available at several different sites as well as online and vary in length and cost by method.

Not sure which method to choose to learn NFP? Consider taking NFP 101: Informational Overview. This 60 minute session gives an overview of NFP and the methods available in our Diocese to help you choose between the various NFP courses offered. [Note: this session does not fulfill the the requirement to learn NFP.]

• More information is available on our Natural Family Planning page.
• Register for Steps 3-5 online

The Church invites all Catholics to prepare themselves spiritually prior to their marriage through the sacrament of Reconciliation. Haven't been to Reconciliation in awhile? Not to worry! Here is what you need:

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

After you've completed the marriage preparation seminars and other parish requirements, you should have additional meetings with the priest or deacon that will witness your marriage. You will have the opportunity to discuss the seminars, finalize liturgical plans, and address any additional needs that you have.

The above process may vary slightly from parish to parish, so please check with your priest or deacon to find out their specific requirements. If you have any questions, or if there is any way we can help, don't hesitate to contact the Marriage Preparation Coordinator at: mpadmin@madisondiocese.org. Be assured of our prayers for you, and may God bless you as you prepare for the rest of your lives together!