Marriage Preparation courses can be completed either through a self-paced – online program, or by attending any 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.
Below are the names, links, and information on Ascension Press, (which partners with the Archdiocese of Philadelphia to offer marriage preparation programs), along with a listing of two of many other alternative online programs, and a link to the United States Catholic Conference of Bishops (USCCB), who provides an extensive listing on all Catholic approved marriage preparation programs and also provides extensive information on all matters relating to Catholic Marriages.
For questions directly associated with any of the below listed online or in-person programs, contact the organization or parish directly. For any other questions on marriage preparation or related issues, please contact the Dcn. Patrick Kennedy.
ONLINE PROGRAMS AND REGISTRATION LINKS
- Ascension Press – PhillyCatholicMarriagePrep.com: English: Joy-Filled Marriage, Self-Paced Online Course with Live Guided Discuss – Ascension (ascensionpress.com)
– Spanish: https://ascensionpress.com/collections/joy-filled-marriage-spanish - Agape Ministries – Catholic Marriage Preparation: Catholic Marriage Prep – Pre-Cana Online
- The Marriage Group: Living Our Faith in Love – Online Pre-Cana – The Marriage Group
US Catholic Conference of Bishops (USCCB) – For Your Marriage: For Your Marriage
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 Class in Fall and in Spring | Deacon Joseph Bernauer | 215-317-1002 | jbernauer@dentsply.com |
| St. Cecilia | 535 Rhawn Street Phila, PA 19111 | All-Day Pre-Cana Class in Fall and in Spring | Fr. Robert Lucas | 215-725-1240 | frlucas@stceciliafc.org |
| St. Agatha-St. James | 111 S 38th St, Philadelphia PA, 19104 | Not specified | 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. Jude | 321 W Butler Ave | Pre-Cana Classes | Parish Office | 215-822-0179 | office@st.judechalfont.org |
| 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 | Pre Cana-First Saturday in November and First Saturday in March | Mike McAtee | (215) 968-2262 | standrewprecana@gmail.com |
Montgomery County
| Parish Name | Address | Pre-Cana Format | Contact Person | Phone Number | Email Address |
| St. Teresa of Calcutta | 256 Swamp Pike Schwenksville, PA 19473 | Not shared | Rectory | 610-287-2525 | |
| Holy Saviour | 407 E Main Street Norristown, PA 19401 | Not shared | 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 Whales, 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 |
Chester County
| Parish Name | Address | Pre-Cana Format | Contact Person | Phone Number | Email Address |
| Saint Elizabeth | 110 Saint Elizabeth Drive Chester Springs, PA 18480 | 2/year Friday evening & all day Saturday | Matt Pfeiffenberger | 610-646-6550 | matthewkarl@stelizabethparish.org |
| 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 | In person | Greg and Kristina Clarkwww.sjcparish.org/pre-cana | (610) 874-3418 | connect@sjcparish.org |
Note: If circumstances or cancellation have prevented you from being able to attend a session listed above and you are in need of more options, please contact Dcn. Patrick Kennedy at pkennedy@archphila.org.
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 other parishes not listed. You are encouraged to contact parishes close to you for more information. Last updated April 29, 2025.