Marriage Preparation

Steps for a joy-filled Marriage Preparation:

1. As soon as possible after your engagement, contact your parish and set up a meeting with a priest or deacon. Send initial information to weddings@hciparish.org to schedule your wedding at HCI.
2. Complete an online FOCCUS (Facilitate Open, Caring, Communication, Understanding and Study) or Engages Encounter Inventory. The parish of your presider will register you, and you will be notified via email to complete your inventory sessions individually. After the online assessment is completed, the engaged couple meets with your presider or with a married couple who has been trained in facilitating dialog based on the results of the assessment.
3. Complete a formational program for an opportunity to deepen your relationship with Jesus Christ and one another. Check with your presider for your parish requirements before registering for one of the following:
4. Genesis: a Pre-Cana Retreat (preferred by pastor)
5. Regnum Christi Ohio Valley - Three to Get Married: Marriage Prep Retreat
6. Cincinnati-Covington Catholic Engaged Encounter
7. Local (arch)diocesan-based program (for couples living outside of Greater Cincinnati)
8. Complete an NFP course. Natural Family Planning (NFP) is a powerful tool for engaged couples preparing for marriage. An NFP course teaches couples how to observe the signs of fertility to space children without using drugs or devices. Check with your presider for your parish requirements before registering for one of the following:
9. Natural Family Planning
10. Local (arch)diocesan-based program (for couples living outside of Greater Cincinnati)
11. Receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation
12. Pray as a couple daily
    

Marriage Preparation Outside the Archdiocese of Cincinnati

Couples that participate outside the Archdiocese of Cincinnati will comply with all requirements of the respective (arch)diocese. Your completed marriage file will be forwarded to the local (arch)diocese and in turn forwarded to the Archdiocese of Cincinnati. Couples are urged to track their file through this process to ensure receipt by HCI.

Other Information Resources          ForYourMarriage.org   

An initiative of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, this website offers a large variety of information related to marriage in general as well as Catholic marriage in particular.