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The Marriage Catechumenate
Formation
The Formation forms the main body of content communicated to the engaged couple and is made up of three main elements; an education in life and relationship skills, a training in the spiritual and theological truth of marriage, and finally a liturgical catechesis of the Rite of Matrimony itself so they may best perform their function as the principle ministers of the sacrament.
Formation is tailored to each couple’s needs and generally includes three primary areas. 1) Catechesis of Marriage, 2) Life Skills, and 3) Liturgical Catechesis and Liturgical Planning.
Catechesis of Marriage Options
Instruction on the Church’s vision of marriage as a sacrament and covenant, rooted in Christ and ordered toward lifelong communion and mission.
Beloved
Fully Engaged
Joy-Filled Marriage
Preparing to Live in Love
Life Skills Options
Formation in communication, conflict resolution, financial stewardship, and responsible parenthood. Some couples may also be required to attend additional classes relevant to their specific situation and/or counseling.
A Lasting Promise
Alpha for Marriage Prep
Financial Peace University
Recommended for all. Highly recommended if either the bride, groom, or both are entering marriage with debt.
Introduction to Natural Family Planning (Self-Paced)
Required for all
Life-Giving Wounds
Highly recommended if either the Bride, Groom, or Both have parents who are (or have been) divorced, separated, or never married.
Marriage & The Blended Family Retreat
The retreat is required for engaged couples preparing to enter a second union (with or without children) and is open to married couples who have already created a blended family.
The Marriage Group Pre-Cana Course (Self-Paced)
Couples who choose to take this course are still required to take the Introduction to Natural Family Planning Course through the Diocese of Lansing
Liturgical Catechesis and Liturgical Planning Options
Nuptial Mass Readings
Beloved
Beloved: The Mystery & Meaning of Marriage (Augustine Institute) is a marriage preparation and enrichment resource from the Augustine Institute that explores the sacramental meaning of marriage and what God’s design for lifelong love looks like in everyday life. It unfolds in 12 sessions that guide couples — whether preparing to marry or already married — into the wonder, mystery, and joy behind that first “I do,” rooted in Scripture, Tradition, and Church teaching. The series includes study materials and can be experienced individually, as a couple, or in parish settings, aiming to deepen understanding and commitment to the vocation of marriage.
Fully Engaged
Fully Engaged is an online mentor-led marriage preparation program that helps engaged couples grow closer to each other and deepen their Catholic faith as they prepare for marriage. Rooted in St. John Paul II’s Theology of the Body, the course blends relationship-building exercises with Church teaching to form a strong spiritual and relational foundation for married life. Couples work at their own pace with personalized feedback from trained mentors, making it flexible yet deeply enriching for their future together.
Joy-Filled Marriage
Joy-Filled Marriage is a Catholic marriage preparation program that combines sacramental theology with practical life skills to help engaged couples understand and embrace God’s plan for lifelong marriage. The curriculum walks couples through key teachings of the Church about marriage while encouraging shared goals and concrete planning for a shared future. It can be used in parish settings or independently, offering flexibility with materials, videos, and workbooks to support learning and discussion.
Preparing to Live in Love
Preparing to Live in Love is an experiential marriage preparation curriculum in which engaged couples work one-on-one with a trained mentor couple through seven sessions focused on communication, intimacy, and living the Church’s vision for marriage. The program’s practical exercises and weekly homework help couples internalize skills that strengthen their relationship and prepare them for the joys and challenges of lifelong commitment. Based on real-life sharing and personalized guidance, it aims to build confidence and closeness grounded in faith.
A Lasting Promise
A Lasting Promise is a Christian communication and relationship enhancement program offered through Catholic Charities in the Diocese of Lansing that focuses on building healthy communication, conflict resolution, and intimacy for couples. The curriculum teaches constructive arguing techniques, appreciation of differences, and tools to keep friendship and commitment alive in a marriage. Designed to strengthen relational foundations before marriage, it supports couples in handling common challenges with understanding and respect
Alpha for Marriage Prep
Alpha for Marriage Prep (often called the Pre-Marriage Course) is a five-session Christian relationship course that helps engaged couples explore key topics like communication, connection, and conflict in a relaxed, date-night format. Each week begins with a shared meal and a short, insightful talk, followed by guided discussion between partners to deepen understanding and strengthen their relationship. Based on proven principles and used worldwide, the course is accessible in person or online and is designed for couples at any stage of preparation.
Financial Peace University
Recommended for all. Highly recommended if either the bride, groom, or both are entering marriage with debt. Financial Peace University is a practical financial education program that equips couples with skills to manage money, reduce debt, and plan for a stable future together. Through a series of lessons on budgeting, saving, and stewardship, participants learn how to handle common financial challenges as a team. While not exclusively a marriage prep program, it’s highly recommended for engaged couples, especially if either partner enters marriage with debt
Introduction to Natural Family Planning (Self-Paced)
This is required for all engaged couples and those seeking convalidation. The Introduction to Natural Family Planning (NFP) offered by the Diocese of Lansing is a foundational program required for all engaged couples in the Diocese of Lansing that explains the Church’s teaching on conjugal love and the biological principles behind NFP. The course is offered free of charge and typically involves two sessions that cover the Theology of the Body, Humanae vitae, and how NFP methods work practically for achieving or avoiding pregnancy. It gives couples a deeper understanding of how family planning aligns with Catholic teaching on human sexuality and marital love.
Life-Giving Wounds
Highly recommended if either the Bride, Groom, or Both have parents who are (or have been) divorced, separated, or never married. Life-Giving Wounds is a charitable organization that offers resources and support for those affected by family wounds, particularly where divorce, separation, or complicated family history may impact an engaged couple. It provides educational materials, support groups, and healing opportunities to address past hurts and build healthier relational foundations. By accompanying individuals and couples through their emotional and spiritual wounds, the ministry seeks to foster reconciliation, understanding, and hope before and after marriage.
Marriage & The Blended Family Retreat
Typical marriage education programs and ministries are not sufficient for couples entering into blended family marriages. Since marriage in a stepfamily is a "package deal" you must minister to both the couple and "the package”. This requires addressing dynamics related to ex-spouses and co-parenting, loss, stepparenting, spiritual shame, finances, and the expectations of both children and adults--just to name a few”. To do anything less is grossly inadequate to prevent divorce. The Smart Stepfamilies program, created by author, therapist, and blended family expert Ron L. Deal, brings together these different aspects a stepfamily will encounter, in order to empower blended family couples and their extended family for successful family living.
The Remarriage Retreat is a way for couples to come together in a non-threatening setting to learn about the challenges that will be experienced, as well as children entering into a stepfamily. It is also an opportunity for a couple to, possibly for the first time, begin to focus on previously unknown information or previously undiscussed topics that will bring challenges and begin the process of sharing with each other how this will be addressed within their new family dynamic.
The Marriage Group Pre-Cana Course (Self-Paced)
Couples who choose to take this course are still required to take the Introduction to Natural Family Planning Course through the Diocese of Lansing. Pre-Cana: Living Our Faith in Love (The Marriage Group) is an online Catholic Pre-Cana marriage preparation course designed to help engaged couples reflect deeply on the spiritual, relational, and practical dimensions of marriage before celebrating the sacrament. The flexible, on-demand format allows couples to work through the course at their own pace, covering topics like theology of marriage, communication, conflict resolution, finances, intimacy, and natural family planning through video presentations and guided discussions. As couples complete the program, they receive a Certificate of Completion recognized by many parishes, and the experience often includes downloadable discussion guides and optional relationship assessment tools to foster growth and dialogue. The course aims to not only meet Church requirements but to strengthen each couple’s bond and understanding of lifelong married love within the Catholic tradition.