Welcome
Congratulations on your decision to receive the Sacrament of Matrimony! The Catholic Church recognizes marriage as a sacred, lifelong covenant. By choosing to enter the Sacrament of Matrimony, you have recognized the call of the Lord in your own love story. This sacrament envelops our love in God’s grace and roots it in Him. It is important to remember that marriage is not an arrival point, but a path of holiness that lasts a lifetime. May God bless you abundantly as you prepare for the Sacrament of Matrimony and embark on this beautiful journey of love and holiness together.
The purpose of marriage is to help married people sanctify themselves and others. For this reason, they receive a special grace in the sacrament which Jesus Christ instituted.”
St. Josemaria Escriva
Marriage Preparation Process
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Marriage Formation
If you wish to attend a Pre-Cana in SPANISH, click here. Si desea asistir un Pre-Cana en ESPAÑOL, haga clic aquí.
Pre-Cana
Pre-Cana is an opportunity to strengthen your bond as a couple and equip yourselves with tools to live out your vocation of marriage. Throughout Pre-Cana, you will develop effective communication strategies, gain a deeper understanding of the significance of the Sacrament of Matrimony, and discover practical skills needed to thrive as a couple. This workshop is for all couples who are preparing to receive the Sacrament of Matrimony in the Catholic Church.
*Please Note: We do not provide childcare therefore children cannot attend this event.
If the registration is CLOSED it is because the facility can only accommodate a specific number of couples and that number has been met. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause. Please select another date.
| DATE | LOCATION | ONLINE REGISTRATION |
|---|---|---|
| Saturday, January 11, 2025 | Holy Family, Orlando | CLOSED |
| Saturday, February 15, 2025 | Blessed Trinity, Ocala | Register |
| Saturday, March 15, 2025 | Holy Name of Jesus, Indialantic | Register |
| Saturday, April 26, 2025 | Blessed Trinity, Ocala | Register |
| Saturday, May 31, 2025 | Holy Family, Orlando | Register |
| Saturday, August 02, 2025 | Holy Family, Orlando | COMING SOON |
| Saturday, September 20, 2025 | Holy Name of Jesus, Indialantic | COMING SOON |
| Saturday, October 04, 2025 | Blessed Trinity, Ocala | COMING SOON |
| Saturday, November 22, 2025 | Blessed Trinity, Orlando | COMING SOON |
Convalidation
Convalidation is for couples who have been civilly married for more than two years and wish to have their union recognized by the Catholic Church. This is an opportunity to understand the significance of the Sacrament of Matrimony and how it enriches your marriage, and to explore strategies for building and maintaining a strong, lasting marriage, covering topics such as priorities and values, effective communication, and the role of faith in your daily life.
*For questions or concerns regarding the Convalidation workshop, contact Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church at 407-657-6114.
| DATE | LOCATION | ONLINE REGISTRATION |
|---|---|---|
| Saturday, January 25, 2025 | Sts. Peter & Paul, Winter Park | Register |
| Saturday, May 17, 2025 | Sts. Peter & Paul, Winter Park | Register |
| Saturday, August 23, 2025 | Sts. Peter & Paul, Winter Park | Register |
| Saturday, October 25, 2025 | Sts. Peter & Paul, Winter Park | Register |
Online Pre-Cana & Convalidation Courses
The options listed here are the ONLY diocesan-approved online courses that meet the requirements for marriage preparation.
- The Marriage Group
On-demand, 8-hour online course with access for a year to complete at your own pace. Registration is $195 per couple. - Catholic Marriage Prep
Requires a minimum of 20 hours of active work by the couple and is typically completed in 4-6 weeks. The couple is assigned an instructor couple that reviews and walks the couple through this process. All assignments and meetings are done virtually. This course can be adapted for convalidation couples. Registration is $239 per couple.
For Parish Leaders
Below, you will find a selection of resources that align with the vision for parish-based marriage preparation and formation. For personalized recommendations on how to effectively implement and tailor parish-based marriage preparation and formation to address the unique needs of your parish community, contact the Office of Marriage and Family Ministry.
Pre-Marital Inventory
- Fully Engaged
Fully Engaged is a Catholic catechetical premarital inventory designed to help engaged couples solidify the foundation upon which they, together with Christ, will build their Sacrament of Marriage. Grounded in Church teaching and loaded with catechetical content, this dynamic premarital inventory is a trustworthy guide that meets the real challenges today’s couples face.
- FOCCUS
FOCCUS Inc. USA, an apostolate of the Archdiocese of Omaha, was founded on the principle that communication and problem-solving are the keys to a successful marriage. FOCCUS Inc. USA provides resources and support for organizations and individuals who guide couples through marriage formation and who offer ongoing marriage enrichment and support. The programs and materials offered by FOCCUS Inc. USA are based on the Roman Catholic Faith and are available in accessible non-denominational formats.
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- Prepare/Enrich
Prepare/Enrich is one of the most widely researched assessment tools. The questions are based on each couple’s unique background and are tailored for previous marriage, children, age, living arrangement, and more. The assessment will cover topics such as sexual expectations, natural family planning, and pornography. You can prepare couples for marriage with confidence by knowing you facilitated conversations the couple needs to have before the wedding day.
- Prepare/Enrich
Parish-Based Marriage Preparation and Formation
- TOBET 4Engaged
Theology of the Body Marriage Preparation Program is a flexible, holistic program that covers practical, down-to-earth topics in order to form couples to live healthy, holy marriages. It examines practical topics precisely through the lens of St. John Paul’s Theology of the Body. Couples develop familiarity with TOB themes and deepen their understanding of the “whys behind the whats” of the Catholic Church’s teaching on marriage and sexuality. Approved by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB)
- Transformed in Love
Transformed in Love sacramental marriage preparation provides those in marriage ministry a timeless yet flexible resource to prepare engaged couples, and those who are civilly married seeking a convalidation, to build a solid foundation for their sacred and lifelong union; one built on Jesus Christ.
- Joy-filled Marriage
Joy-Filled Marriage is a marriage preparation program designed to meet that challenge. This program offers a comprehensive approach to marriage preparation that covers not only the sacramentality and theology of marriage but the practical life skills necessary to live out the rich Catholic vision of marriage.
- BELOVED
Beloved invites all couples to experience firsthand the wonder, mystery, and joy behind that first “I do” … whether you said it last year or many years ago. Beloved is comprised of two parts: The Mystery and Meaning of Marriage has 6 sessions and Living Marriage has 6 sessions. All 12 episodes can be used in Marriage Prep or for Marriage Enrichment. Just select your Leader and Couples Guides for “Preparation” or “Enrichment”.
- Witness to Love
Witness to Love is a virtues-based, Catechumenate model of marriage renewal and preparation that integrates modern principles of psychology and the virtues to help couples facilitate an authentic dialogue about their relationship.
Additional Resources
Contact Us
Luis Nieves
Director of Pastoral Ministry
Laity, Family & Life
407-246-4882
Javier Maldonado
Administrative Assistant
Laity, Family & Life
407-246-4880