Engaged couples are required by the Diocese of Springfield to attend premarital classes or a Pre-Cana program.
Couples may be asked to submit particular paperwork, participate in more church events, and go through an intensive marriage preparation procedure (also known as Pre-Cana) with a priest before being allowed for a Catholic wedding.
While modern weddings are taking on new characteristics due to couples wanting to create unique experiences, having a Catholic wedding means you’ll be sticking to some age-old traditions.
There are many things to learn about honouring the Catholic marriage requirements, but today we’re going to focus on what is Pre-Cana and why it’s necessary.
Pre-Cana is a marriage preparation course, workshop, or consultation for couples planning to marry in a Catholic church. The name comes from John 2:1–12, when Jesus performed the miracle of changing water into wine at a wedding feast at Cana, Galilee.
All couples who wish to receive the Sacrament of Marriage in the Catholic Church must attend Catholic marriage preparation where a priest or deacon usually leads six-month sessions with the couple with the help of a married Catholic couple.
These discussions will be crucial for you as a couple in your marriage, ensuring that you are both in agreement or mutual understanding about each other's beliefs and values.
Topics that you will cover are existing family roles, expectations, and traditions from your own upbringing, financial considerations, career goals and practical issues, communication skills, intimacy and sexuality, conflict resolution, Natural Family Planning (NFP), and the theology and spirituality of marriage.
Catholic marriage preparation or Pre-Cana is done in person. Click here for more information and class schedule. Or contact Deacon George Nolan at 413.773.3311 x6.