Joshua Bennett
Catholic marriage preparation is a special process for couples intending to marry in the Catholic Church. It involves consultations and courses that help couples prepare for their wedding and married life. These classes are often called Pre-Cana classes, derived from the Wedding Feast at Cana, where Jesus performed his first miracle of turning water into wine. Pre-Cana classes are designed to help couples reflect on the spiritual, emotional, and practical aspects of marriage and typically cover topics such as the purpose of marriage, family and financial goals, conflict resolution, and the Church's teachings. The length of these classes can vary, with some lasting a few months and others offering intensive crash courses or online alternatives.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Pre-Cana |
| Duration | Six months |
| Led by | Deacon or priest |
| Support | A married Catholic couple |
| Topics | Spirituality/faith, conflict resolution skills, careers, finances, intimacy/cohabitation, children, commitment, ceremony planning, family of origin, communication, marriage as a sacrament, sexuality, theology of the body, couple prayer, unique challenges of military couples, stepfamilies, children of divorce |
| Purpose | To deepen the couple's understanding of the sacrament of marriage and help them get to know each other and their values |
| Format | In-person sessions, weekend retreats, online courses |
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What You'll Learn
Marriage preparation courses
Pre-Cana classes can vary in format, ranging from several sessions to a single class or an intensive retreat. They are usually led by a deacon or priest, often with the support of a married Catholic couple who can offer insights and advice. The courses cover a range of topics, including the purpose of marriage, the duties of spouses, Catholic teachings on natural family planning and contraception, conflict resolution, financial management, and spiritual and faith-related discussions.
The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops has identified several "must-have" conversation topics for these courses, including spirituality/faith, conflict resolution skills, careers, finances, intimacy, children, and commitment. The goal is to deepen couples' understanding of the sacrament of marriage and help them develop a stronger relationship with each other and with God.
Online marriage preparation courses, such as those offered by CatechismClass.com and CatholicMarriagePrep.com, have also emerged as a convenient alternative for couples with busy schedules. These online programs provide a robust curriculum, covering similar topics to in-person classes and often including one-on-one mentorship by experienced married couples.
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Pre-Cana classes
Catholic marriage preparation is a special process that involves many people apart from the couple, and it can take several months or even years. The Catholic Church treats marriage as a sacred, lifelong commitment and a Sacrament, so couples who wish to say their vows in a Catholic church need to be thoroughly prepared. This is achieved through marriage preparation courses, also known as Pre-Cana classes.
The goal of Pre-Cana classes is to help couples reflect on the spiritual, emotional, and practical aspects of marriage to ensure they are prepared for the sacrament. The classes cover a range of topics, including the purpose of marriage, the duties of husbands and wives, the importance of Catholic weddings, the Church's teachings on contraception and natural family planning, family goals, financial goals, and conflict resolution. The Church's teachings on natural family planning emphasize respect for the procreative and unitive aspects of marriage. Couples are also guided on how to manage finances together, an important aspect of married life.
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The purpose of marriage
Catholic marriage classes are called Pre-Cana classes. The term "Pre-Cana" refers to the Wedding Feast at Cana, where Jesus performed his first miracle of turning water into wine. These classes are designed to prepare couples for the significant commitment of marriage, which is considered a sacred and lifelong bond in the Catholic Church.
Now, here is an overview of the purpose of marriage according to Catholic teachings:
Marriage, or Holy Matrimony, is a covenant between a man and a woman, uniting them in a partnership for life. It is a sacrament, sanctified by God, and is considered irrevocable. The primary purpose of marriage is the procreation and upbringing of children, with children being regarded as the supreme gift of marriage. This procreative aspect of marriage is seen as fulfilling the natural instinct to seek companionship and is integral to the preservation of the human race.
The second purpose of marriage is to provide mutual help and support to the spouses. This includes emotional and physical support, especially as the couple ages. The companionship of marriage offers a remedy for concupiscence or sexual desire, ensuring that sexual intimacy remains sacred and ordered towards conjugal love.
Additionally, marriage is meant to be a source of grace, strengthening the spouses and consecrating them for their duties and the dignity of their state. It is meant to be an intimate community of life and love, governed by divine laws, where the spouses become one flesh, no longer two.
The preparation for Catholic marriage involves a range of topics, including spirituality, conflict resolution, finances, intimacy, and family planning. Through these classes, couples are guided to reflect on the spiritual, emotional, and practical aspects of marriage, ensuring they are well-equipped for the commitment they are about to undertake.
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Duties of husbands and wives
Catholic marriage classes, also known as Pre-Cana, are designed to prepare couples for the commitment of marriage and what comes after. The classes cover a range of topics, including the duties of husbands and wives, which we will explore in more detail here.
The duties of husbands and wives in a Catholic marriage are based on the belief that marriage is a sacred and lifelong commitment, with both partners having equal worth before God. While the specific dynamics of each marriage may vary, there are certain roles and responsibilities that are traditionally associated with husbands and wives within the Catholic faith.
Wives
According to Catholic doctrine, wives are expected to obey their husbands, as outlined in the Bible: "Wives, obey your husbands" (Peter and Paul). This is often interpreted as a call for wives to submit to the headship of their husbands, mirroring the relationship between Christ and the Church. However, it is important to note that this submission does not imply inferiority or a lack of autonomy. In fact, the Bible also states that "the husband and wife are of equal worth before God, since both are created in God’s image" (Baptists).
Despite the expectation of obedience, wives are not subject to their husbands in all aspects of life. Once a woman reaches adulthood, her obedience to another person becomes optional. If a woman finds the idea of obedience distasteful, she always has the choice not to marry and remain single, which the Catholic Church considers a valid and autonomous path.
Husbands
Husbands are expected to love their wives unconditionally, just as Christ loves the Church. This unconditional love is a recurring theme in Catholic teachings, with verses such as Ephesians 5:22 and 1 Peter 3:1 often cited in sermons. In addition to love, husbands are also tasked with providing for, protecting, and leading their families. This leadership role is seen as a God-given responsibility and is separate from the issue of male/female equality.
In the event that a husband neglects his duties, the Catholic Church acknowledges that a wife may need to step up and take his place in directing the family. This does not, however, dispense her from her obligation of obedience, as the family structure and its fundamental law are believed to be established by God and must be maintained.
While the duties of husbands and wives in a Catholic marriage may seem traditional or even outdated to some, the underlying principle is one of mutual respect and commitment. By preparing couples for marriage through Pre-Cana classes, the Catholic Church aims to ensure that both husbands and wives understand their roles and responsibilities, fostering a strong and sacred union.
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Natural family planning
Catholic marriage preparation is a special process for couples intending to marry in the Catholic Church. It involves consultations, courses, and retreats that can last several months, with the goal of ensuring that couples are thoroughly prepared for the commitment of marriage.
Marriage preparation programs take different forms, including weekend retreats, being matched with a "sponsor couple", or participating in a series of marriage preparation classes. These classes are often called Pre-Cana, referring to the Wedding Feast at Cana, where Jesus performed his first miracle. Pre-Cana classes typically cover a range of topics to help couples reflect on the spiritual, emotional, and practical aspects of marriage.
One important aspect of Catholic marriage preparation is Natural Family Planning (NFP). NFP is a teaching of the Catholic Church that emphasizes respect for the procreative and unitive aspects of marriage. It is based on the theological understanding that marriage is a sacrament, and as such, it confers God's grace on those who are married.
NFP classes within Catholic marriage preparation aim to educate couples on the methods and effectiveness of various natural family planning techniques. These can include calendar methods, cervical mucus methods, and fertility awareness-based methods. Couples are guided on how to manage their fertility and choose a method that aligns with their values and circumstances.
The inclusion of NFP instruction in Catholic marriage preparation has been successful, with surveys indicating that over 90% of couples felt they had a better understanding of their fertility after taking the classes. NFP is seen as a way to enrich the bond between husband and wife, promoting responsible parenthood and deepening conjugal love within the context of Catholic teachings.
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Frequently asked questions
Catholic marriage classes are called Pre-Cana classes. The term "Pre-Cana" refers to the Wedding Feast at Cana, where Jesus performed his first miracle of turning water into wine.
Catholic marriage classes cover a range of topics, including the purpose of marriage, the duties of husbands and wives, the importance of Catholic weddings, the Church's teachings on contraception and natural family planning, conflict resolution, and financial and family goals. The classes also aim to help couples reflect on the spiritual, emotional, and practical aspects of marriage and deepen their understanding of the sacrament.
Catholic marriage classes can vary in length. They can range from a single class to several sessions, with some classes lasting around 4-5 hours. The Pre-Cana classes typically last for about six months and are often led by a deacon or priest, with support from a married Catholic couple.
