Welcome

Congratulations on your decision to live out your vocation of marriage! The Catholic Church recognizes marriage as a sacred and lifelong commitment, a path to holiness that embraces your entire life. By choosing to enter into the Sacrament of Matrimony, you have recognized the call of the Lord in your own love story. This sacrament envelops your love in the grace of God and roots it in Him. It is important to remember that marriage is not a point of arrival, but a lifelong journey of holiness. 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

Steps of Marriage Preparation

1. Preliminary Interview

Contact your parish office to schedule a meeting with your parish priest, deacon, or marriage coordinator. This should take place between six to twelve months prior to your anticipated wedding date and before any arrangements are made or a wedding date is set.

During your preliminary interview, the priest, deacon, or marriage coordinator will explain to you the marriage preparation process, provide you with the diocesan Marriage Preparation Guidelines & Calendar, and request any necessary documents from you and your fiancé(e).

*If either party has had a previous marriage (whether civil or religious) no wedding preparation/date may be set until written notification is received that the Declaration of Nullity is final, and until any restriction on a future marriage has been removed. Contact your parish priest to inquire and begin the annulment process. For further information about Annulments, visit the Tribunal page HERE.

2. Required Documents

Before your wedding, your pre-nuptial file must be completed with the following documents:

  • Certificate of Baptism with all notations for each Catholic Party (within the last six months).
  • A Pre-Nuptial Questionnaire (Form A) is to be completed with a priest, deacon, or marriage coordinator and signed by all parties.
  • A Letter of Freedom to Marry (Form B) is to be completed by two witnesses on behalf of each engaged person. Forms are available at the parish.
  • A Certificate of Completion from a diocesan approved marriage preparation program.
  • A valid Florida Marriage License. Visit your county’s website for more information.
  • Death Certificate of previous spouse or Annulment Decree, if you were previously married.
  • Canonical Dispensations and Permissions, if necessary.
3. Pre-Marital Inventory

You will complete a pre-marital inventory (Fully Engaged or FOCCUS) to help identify and work through any issues that need to be addressed with a mentor couple prior to your wedding date. While pre-marital inventories are not predictors of marital success, they can be a helpful tool for growth and preparation.

4. Instruction

In addition to a pre-marital inventory, you will receive formation to help you grow in your understanding of the Sacrament of Holy Matrimony and practical skills, such as communication, parenting, financial management, natural family planning, and couple prayer. This formation may be offered within your parish. If your parish does not offer marriage formation, you may attend a diocesan Pre-Cana Retreat.

5. Wedding Date

A wedding date may be noted during the preliminary interview for the sake of wedding planning and arrangements, but the final date for the wedding is not to be set until proper paperwork is received, the entire formation process is completed, and the decision to proceed is made.

6. Wedding Liturgy

You will plan your wedding liturgy with the help of your parish priest, deacon, or marriage coordinator. Areas for liturgical planning include the selection of the scriptures, music, liturgical ministries, and other related issues.

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 for you and your future spouse to strengthen your bond and equip yourselves with tools to live out your vocation of marriage. Throughout this Pre-Cana, you will develop effective communication strategies to foster understanding and resolve conflicts, 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 open to all couples seeking the Sacrament of Matrimony within the Catholic Church.

*Please Note: We do not provide childcare therefore children cannot attend this event, except for newborns who are nursing.

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.

DateLocationRegistration
Saturday, October 07, 2023Blessed Trinity, OcalaCLOSED 
Saturday, November 04, 2023Resurrection, LakelandRegister here
Saturday, January 13, 2024Holy Family, OrlandoRegister here
Saturday, February 03, 2024Blessed Trinity, OcalaRegister here
Saturday, April 27, 2024Blessed Trinity, OcalaRegister here
Saturday, June 22, 2024St. Thomas Aquinas, St. CloudRegister here
Saturday, September 14, 2024Blessed Trinity, OrlandoComing Soon
Saturday, October 05, 2024Blessed Trinity, OcalaComing Soon
Saturday, November 16, 2024Holy Family, OrlandoComing Soon
Our events fill up quickly. Please plan with time.
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 profound meaning and significance of the Sacrament of Matrimony and how it enriches your marriage and to explore strategies for building and maintaining a strong, lasting marriage, including effective communication, conflict resolution, and the role of faith in your daily life.

*For questions or concerns regarding the Convalidation workshop, contact Denise at 407-657-6114.

DateLocationRegistration
Saturday, October 21, 2023Sts. Peter & Paul, Winter ParkRegister here
Saturday, January 27, 2024Sts. Peter & Paul, Winter ParkRegister here
Saturday, April 27, 2024Sts. Peter & Paul, Winter ParkRegister here
Saturday, August 24, 2024Sts. Peter & Paul, Winter ParkRegister here
Saturday, October 26, 2024Sts. Peter & Paul, Winter ParkRegister here
Our events fill up quickly. Please plan with time.

Parish-Based Marriage Formation

Pre-Martial Inventories
Marriage Formation 
Online Marriage Formation

Helpful Documents & Resources

Contact

Edna Cedano
Marriage & Family Ministry Coordinator
ecedano@orlandodiocese.org
407-246-4930