Prepare for Your Marriage, Not Just Your Wedding
“Christian marriage, like the other sacraments, whose purpose is to sanctify people, to build up the body of Christ, and finally, to give worship to God, is in itself a liturgical action glorifying God in Jesus Christ and in the Church” – Pope John Paul II
As you begin this sacred time of preparation, the Archdiocese of Philadelphia is pleased to accompany you as you discern and prepare for the Sacrament of Matrimony. Marriage is a beautiful vocation and a lifelong covenant, through which a man and a woman are called to reflect Christ’s love for His Church. Through Catholic Marriage Preparation, engaged couples are invited to grow in faith, deepen mutual understanding and build a strong foundation for a joyful and enduring marriage. These resources are designed to support you not only in preparing for your wedding day but in embracing the lifelong commitment of married life lived in Christ.
Marriage Prep FAQ AOP Marriage Prep Policy
Planning a Catholic Wedding – For Your Marriage
Pre-Marriage Inventories
There are a number of pre-marriage assessments available to assist engaged couples in communicating with each other about important issues that will affect their married lives together. Such instruments are not compatibility tests or psychological assessments. Rather, they are designed to be an aid in couple communication on a number of fronts. Pre-marriage inventories reveal the strengths of an individual couple in dealing with situations, making decisions, and highlighting where their values and priorities correspond. This is valuable in affirming the foundation upon which the relationship is built.
- Pre-marriage inventories are also helpful in pointing out areas for further discussion. Some topics may have never come up in the relationship, or each party may have assumed the other feels as he/she does. In some cases, a pre-marriage inventory can prod couples into discussing topics they have been purposely avoiding in hopes of not engaging in conflict. Such a strategy only puts off the inevitable, and makes the chances of conflict greater. It is much better to talk about difficult or contentious issues before marriage, than to put them off until later on, when they can shake the foundation of marriage.
- The Office for Life and Family does not require or administer a particular pre-marriage inventory. However, we strongly recommend that couples talk with their pastor or assisting priest about taking an inventory. Some parishes in the Archdiocese administer the FOCCUS inventory. Ask your priest if an inventory is available through the parish. Most pre-marriage inventories are also available to be taken online. Talk to your priest, or contact the providers of the inventories directly.
Inventories
Facilitating Open Couple Communication, Understanding and Study Inventory
Pre-Nuptial Investigation
A Catholic prenuptial investigation is a formal process where a priest or deacon interviews a couple to ensure they are free to marry and understand the nature of Catholic marriage. It establishes if there are any legal or canonical impediments, confirms their understanding of the sacrament’s tenets (permanence, exclusivity, and openness to children), and gathers basic information and documentation like baptismal certificates. The goal is to prepare the couple for a fruitful and valid marriage in the Church.
PNI Forms & Envelopes (English)
Order online here for the forms and envelopes to be sent to your parish office or print the following:
Investigación Prenupcial Formularios y Sobres (Español)
Haga su pedido en línea aquí para que los formularios y sobres se envíen a su oficina parroquial, o imprima lo siguiente:
Marriage Preparation Courses & Retreats
Marriage Preparation courses can be completed either through a self-paced – online program, or by attending an in-person program offered through a Catholic parish, retreat center, or university within, or outside of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, conditioned that such programs fully and thoroughly cover all the core theological, spiritual, practical, and intimate aspects of marriage, in conformity to Catholic doctrine.
The United States Catholic Conference of Bishops (USCCB), provides an extensive listing on all Catholic approved marriage preparation programs and also provides extensive information on all matters relating to Catholic Marriage.
Marriage Preparation Online Courses (English)
Joy-Filled Marriage (Ascension) – self paced online course with live guided discussion
Marriage Prep Course Online (Agape Ministries) – interactive and mentor led online course
Living Our Faith in Love (The Marriage Group) – online marriage preparation
Cursos de preparación para el matrimonio (Español)
Marriage Preparation In-Person Courses & Retreats (English)
If circumstances or cancellation have prevented you from being able to attend an in-person session listed above and you are in need of more options or for any other questions related to marriage preparation please contact Dcn. Patrick Kennedy. For questions directly associated with these online or in-person programs, contact the organization or parish directly. While the Office for Life and Family tries to keep this list current, it is possible that there are other in-person marriage preparation classes offered in parishes not listed. You are encouraged to contact the parishes closest to you for the most accurate information.
Philadelphia County
| Parish Name | Address | Pre-Cana Format | Contact Person | Phone Number | Email Address |
| Maternity BVM | 9220 Old Bustleton Ave Phila, PA 19115 |
All-Day Pre-Cana the Last Saturday in February February 28, 2026 |
Deacon Joseph Bernauer | 215-317-1002 | josephbernauer@yahoo.com |
| St. Agatha-St. James | 111 S 38th St, Philadelphia PA, 19104 |
Friday, March 6, 2026 6pm: Orientation Meeting Saturday, April 11, 9-4pm: Retreat Day |
Fr. Remi Morales | 267-787-5000 | office@saintsaj.org |
| St. Cyprian | 525 S Cobbs Creek Pkwy Phila, PA 19143 | All-Day Pre-Cana Class in Fall and in Spring | Msgr. Britto | 215-747-3150 | fabritto10@juno.com |
| St. Katherine of Siena | 9700 Frankford Ave Phila, PA 19114 | All-Day Pre-Cana Class in Fall and in Spring | DRE | 215-637-1464 | sksdre99@gmail.com |
Bucks County
| Parish Name | Address | Pre-Cana Format | Contact Person | Phone Number | Email Address |
| St. Agnes | 445 N. Main Street Sellersville, PA 18960 |
All-Day Pre-Cana Class in Fall and in Spring
|
Deacon Harry and Maryanne Tucker | N/A | maryannetucker@verizon.net |
| St. Cyril of Jerusalem | 1410 Almshouse Road Jamison, PA 18929 | All-Day Pre-Cana Class in March | Cynthia Tomassoni | 215-343-1288 | ctomassoni01@gmail.com |
| St. Ephrem | 5400 Hulmeville Rd Bensalem, PA 19020 |
All-Day Pre-Cana Class in Fall and in Spring
|
Jen | 215-245-1698 | |
| St. Andrew’s Parish | 81 Swamp Rd, Newtown, PA 18940 | March 2026 | Mike McAtee | (215) 968-2262 | standrewprecana@gmail.com |
Montgomery County
| Parish Name | Address | Pre-Cana Format | Contact Person | Phone Number | Email Address |
| Holy Saviour | 407 E Main Street Norristown, PA 19401 |
Second Sunday of March March 8, 2026 |
Leti Martelli | 610-960-7662 | letimartelli@comcast.net |
| Our Mother of Good Counsel | 31 Pennswood Rd Bryn Mawr, PA 19010 |
2 day sessions(Friday evening and Satuday 9am-7pm), 1 in November& 1 in February |
Karen Carey | 610-574-3544 | weddings@omgcparish.net |
| Mary, Mother of the Redeemer | 1325 Upper State Road North Wales, PA 19454 | 4 1.5 hours sessions (all dates mandatory) offered during fall and spring | https://mmredeemer.org/pre-cana-registration | 215-362-7400 | https://mmredeemer.org/pre-cana-registration |
| St. Alphonsus, Maple Glen | 1567 Temple Drive, Maple Glen, PA 19002 | N/A | More info and registration at:https://stalphonsusparish.org/pre-cana |
Chester County
| Parish Name | Address | Pre-Cana Format | Contact Person | Phone Number | Email Address |
| Saint Joseph | 338 Manor Avenue, Downingtown, PA 19335 |
2/year Friday evening & all day Saturday |
https://stjosephrc.org/matrimony | ||
Delaware County
| St. John Chrysostom | 617 S. Providence Rd. Wallingford, PA 19086 | N/A | Greg and Kristina Clark | (610) 874-3418 | connect@sjcparish.org www.sjcparish.org/pre-cana |