The Marriage Catechumenate
Congratulations on your engagement! The Diocese of Lansing offers a robust and intentional marriage preparation process known as the Marriage Catechumenate. Inspired by the vision of Pope John Paul II and further developed through the Church’s reflection on marriage and family life—including Pope Francis’ apostolic exhortation Amoris Laetitia—this approach understands marriage preparation as a journey of formation in Christ. Rather than focusing solely on the wedding day, the Marriage Catechumenate grounds couples in communion with Jesus Christ, highlights the connection between Matrimony and the other sacraments, and engages the wider Church community in their preparation. It seeks to form couples not only catechetically and sacramentally, but also humanly and relationally, equipping them with the essential skills for lifelong marriage. This formation continues beyond the wedding day, encouraging ongoing reflection, growth, and integration into the life of the Church. [View the original Marriage Catechumenate document.]
As more programs, ministries, and resources have been developed to support this vision, we have updated the Marriage Catechumenate on this website. While the original document provides the foundational framework and philosophy, some of its resources may no longer be current or accurate. Couples and parishes are encouraged to use the information here on the website as the most up-to-date guide for marriage preparation.
Initial Parish Meeting & Discernment
The journey begins when a couple contacts their parish to enter marriage preparation. Early in the process, they complete a premarital inventory which helps identify strengths and areas for growth. The couple then meets with the pastor, deacon, or Marriage Catechumenate Coordinator to review the inventory, complete intake paperwork, and ensure there are no canonical impediments requiring Tribunal involvement.
During this conversation, the parish leader discerns with the couple an appropriate preparation timeline based on their readiness, discipleship, and life circumstances. Discussion may also include important areas such as family background, mental health, addictions, or past wounds to ensure proper support and care.
Mentor Couple Accompaniment
Couples are invited to select a mentor couple and begin meeting with them. These conversations provide personal accompaniment, encouragement, and real-life witness to faithful Catholic marriage.
Encounter
Foundational to the catechumenate is the proclamation of the Kerygma--the initial proclamation of The Gospel. Pope Francis himself has specifically identified the Kerygma as being an essential element of the preparation of marriage. Here in the Diocese of Lansing, we are well equipped to incorporate this element as we have been focusing on encounter opportunities in our parishes as part of Bishop Boyea's pastoral letter and initiative of evangelization. Thus, as the first step of their catechumenate, the engaged couple, and their mentor couple with them, if possible, should attend on of the manny encounter opportunities available at their parish or a neighboring parish if necessary.
Click here for Encounter Options
Formation
Formation is the heart of marriage preparation, is tailored to the couples' individual needs, and includes three essential components. First, couples are grounded in the spiritual and theological truths of the Sacrament of Matrimony. Second, they receive practical formation in life and relationship skills that support a healthy, lifelong marriage. Finally, they receive liturgical catechesis on the Rite of Matrimony itself, so that they may fully understand and faithfully carry out their role as the principal ministers of the sacrament.
Instruction on the Church’s vision of marriage as a sacrament and covenant, rooted in Christ and ordered toward lifelong communion and mission.
Catechesis of Marriage
This part of formation teaches couples about the Church’s vision of marriage as a sacred covenant. Couples learn that marriage is rooted in Christ, designed for lifelong communion, and ordered toward love, family, and mission in the world. It helps couples understand the meaning and responsibilities of the sacrament so they can live their marriage faithfully and fruitfully.
Life Skills
Life skills includes 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.
Liturgical Catechesis and Liturgical Planning
Preparation for the Rite of Matrimony so that the couple understands their role as ministers of the sacrament and can enter the liturgy with reverence and intentionality is very important. You will it down with your priest to discuss liturgical planning for the wedding liturgy, and learn about the ins and outs of the Rite of Matrimony. The couple administers the sacrament to each other, so this is a very important part of the Marriage Catechumenate.
Click here for a list of Formation options.
Purification & Synthesis
The third phase is a time of final preparation for the couple to reflect on what they've learned, to root it more deeply in their heart, and engage in spiritual preparation for the Rite of Matrimony.
Mystagogy
Taking cues from the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults, a period of mystagogy for the marriage catechumenate will focus on deepening the understanding and experience of the sacramental life as well as a further drawing into the life of the community. Because of this, the mystagogy should entail three pillars:
- A continuation of the mentor relationship as friendship
- Inclusion in small groups
- Continuing formation in the family as Domestic Church along with the life skills of marriage
Options for Plugging Couples into Community Include but are not Limited to:
Christian Family Movement
The Christian Family Movement strives to equip families to intentionally address the concerns facing families in modern society, to help them discover ways to grow in holiness themselves and as families, and, ultimately, to bring the light of Christ into their environments.
The primary objectives of CFM are the Christian formation of its members through repeated small acts of service and the constant effort to extend one's influence. To effect change in one's life and one’s environment even in very little ways, creates "training-through-action" which is at the heart of the movement.
Through the Jocist Method of social inquiry (observe, judge, act) pioneered by Servant of God Cardinal Joseph Cardijn, CFM members are empowered to transform their good intentions into actions.