Congratulations on your engagement! Preparation for the Sacrament of Marriage should begin approximately one year prior to your wedding. We encourage you to begin the following steps as soon as you become engaged. We look forward to accompanying you on this joyful journey!
Overview & Timeline
1 YEAR PRIOR
Step 1: Meet with your priest or deacon (first meeting).
Contact your parish approximately one year prior to your desired wedding date. The priest or deacon will assist you in preparing to receive this Sacrament. Together you will choose an available date. He will review the process and documentation needed to be married in the Church.
For a detailed list of the required documents, please click here.
Step 2: Complete one of the marriage preparation courses listed below.
Please register and complete one of the online Marriage Preparation Course options recommended below.
Option 1, Joy-Filled Marriage by Ascension Press
Joy-Filled Marriage offers a comprehensive approach to both the sacramentality and theology of marriage, as well as the practical life skills necessary to live out the rich Catholic vision of marriage.
Joy-Filled Marriage provides an 8–10-hour self-paced online course with video presentations. Once complete, a live guided discussion (2.5 hours) via Zoom with 12 other engaged couples and a Facilitator or Facilitator Couple completes the training.
The cost of the program is $210 per couple.
To register for Option 1, Joy-Filled Marriage Preparation, please click here.
Option 2, Agapè Catholic Marriage Prep by Agape Catholic Ministries
Catholic Marriage Prep provides a deep theological dive based on John Paul II’s Theology of the Body. In addition to reading through the course content, you will receive individualized emailed guidance and facilitation by a certified instructor couple. The online course takes 3-12 weeks to complete, depending on the couple.
The cost of the program is $239 per couple.
To register for Option 2, Agapè Catholic Marriage Preparation, please click here.
Couples preparing for a second marriage should participate in an online program as well. If you have already taken Marriage Prep or have special circumstances, please contact the Office of Evangelization and Formation at [email protected].
6 MONTHS - 1 YEAR PRIOR
Step 3: Complete the FOCCUS inventory.
FOCCUS stands for "Facilitate Open, Couple, Communication, Understanding and Study." This Inventory is designed to help engaged couples appreciate their unique relationship, learn more about themselves, and facilitate open and honest communication about important topics in marriage. The inventory is completed independently. The results are then discussed with the priest or deacon preparing them for marriage. It should be completed at least six months prior to the wedding date. This will allow time for your priest or deacon to receive the emailed results and discuss them with you.
The fee for the inventory is $25 per couple. Once you have registered, you will each receive an email (separate emails are necessary) within three business days with a link, username, and password. You will each independently complete the questionnaire.
You have 90 days to complete the inventory before your link expires. Please note, a $25 fee is charged by FOCCUS to reactivate an expired questionnaire.
For FOCCUS questions, contact Monica Henrich: [email protected], 610-866-0581 ext. 2328
To register for the FOCCUS Inventory, click here.
3 - 6 MONTHS PRIOR
Step 4: Meet with your priest or deacon (second meeting).
After completion and submission, the FOCCUS results are emailed to the priest or deacon. Schedule to meet with your priest or deacon to discuss FOCCUS and to administer the Pre-nuptial Inventory. This meeting is designed to help engaged couples make sure they have discussed the most important issues relating to a strong, healthy, lifelong marriage.
Step 5: Meet with your priest or deacon (third meeting).
Finally, the couple will meet with the priest or deacon a third time to plan the wedding ceremony. Certain liberties are granted to the couple when planning this ceremony. This includes determining, with the priest or deacon, if the wedding ceremony will take place within or without the Mass and the selection of readings, hymns, and some of the prayers.
The Office of Marriage and Family Life oversees Marriage Preparation programs in the Diocese of Allentown. If you have any questions about marriage preparation, you can always speak with the priest at your parish or contact Kristin Osenbach, Director of Marriage and Family Life, Diocese of Allentown, [email protected] or 610-871-5200 ext. 2035.
