Marriage Preparation
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Blessings and congratulations on your engagement to be married! Marriage is the center of Catholic family life and is the vocation through which most live out their baptismal commitment.
The Catholic Church wants to see your marriage succeed and to be fruitful. For those who give their marriage all they are and possess – your vocation together will be successful and will be full of grace and great joy, because it will be centered on Christ Jesus!
The Canon Law of the Catholic Church requires every diocese to prepare its faithful for the Sacrament of Marriage as a gradual and continuous process. This process begins in early childhood (remote preparation), during a time of renewed catechesis (proximate preparation), and through immediate preparation, which according to the Apostolic Exhortation Familiaris Consortio, are “...the months and weeks immediately preceding the wedding...” The Church desires that in these months of immediate preparation, you and your fiancée will come to “a deeper knowledge of the mystery of Christ and the Church, of the meaning of grace and of the responsibility of Christian marriage, as well as preparation for taking an active and conscious part in the rites of the marriage liturgy.” With this, you will be provided spiritual resources and practical tools that you will need, not only as newlyweds but for the lifetime of your marriage.God bless you in these grace-filled moments and know of our prayers as you embark together on this holy vocation!
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Marriage Preparation Retreat in the Diocese of Crookston
All engaged couples are invited to come be Transformed in Love. On this weekend retreat, couples will learn about how God designed marriage to be a reflection of His love for humanity and how in marriage, couples get to participate in God’s absolute love. Couples will also learn practical tools for a healthy marriage while diving into a deeper understanding of the nature of marriage. Engaged couples are invited to participate in relationship-building conversations and activities with their future spouse and hear firsthand marriage experiences from our Diocese of Crookston host couples.
The Pre-Marriage Retreat is offered once a year, in the spring and will be held at the Diocese of Crookston Pastoral Retreat Center, 620 Summit Ave N, Crookston MN 56716. Two private bedrooms, meals, and materials will be provided for the couples on site at the Pastoral Retreat Center. This retreat will be hosted by married couples in the Diocese of Crookston. The Pre-Marriage retreat for 2026 will be held on February 28th- March 1st.
For more information contact
Misty Mehrkens at (218) 281-4533 ext. 437
or by email: [email protected]
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Marriage Preparation Retreats/Seminars outside of the Diocese of Crookston
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Online Marriage Preparation
There is an approved online option available to those preparing for Marriage in the Diocese of Crookston. Click here for more information.