The Covenant of Love marriage preparation policy was drafted by Bishop Olmsted, in conjunction with the Office of Marriage and Respect Life (OMRL), the Office of Canonical Services and the Tribunal and many priests, deacons, and pastoral workers throughout the diocese. The goal of this effort was to establish a consistent and updated marriage preparation policy for our local church that more adequately addresses the needs of today’s engaged couples.
After careful review of the particular needs of the diocese and the pastoral approaches of other dioceses across the country, this new policy adapted a complementary approach between parish and diocesan programs and resources, allowing continued flexibility at the parish level, while at the same time ensuring some measure of consistency and security of content for all engaged couples in the diocese.
Key components of the policy include:
- Programs recommended for remote (a life-long process), proximate (9 months before wedding), and immediate (2 months before wedding) preparation of individuals and couples for the Sacrament of Marriage, plus the celebration of marriage
- Three required courses (approx. 26 hrs)
- Full course in an approved method of Natural Family Planning (minimum of 4 meetings with an approved instructor + charting)
- Expectation of a nine-month preparation period
- Assessment of the state of marriage in the Diocese of Phoenix
- Basic definition and theology of marriage
- Training and on-going formation of marriage preparation ministers and lay leaders
- Examination of special circumstances
- Pastoral care after marriage
- Pastoral care of sexually active or cohabiting couples
- Pastoral consideration of prenuptial agreements
Marriage preparation timeline
The Covenant of Love marriage preparation policy specifies the following marriage preparation timeline:
9 Months prior to wedding date:
- Couple meets with Pastor or his delegate, parish starts Nuptial File
- Pre-nuptial inquiry, FOCCUS inventory, and review
- Preparation workshop 1: Married Life Skills (weekend or 6 evenings)
- Preparation workshop 2: God’s Plan for Joy Filled Marriage (full day)
- Preparation workshop 3: Natural Family Planning training (minimum of 4 meetings with an approved instructor + charting over 10-12 weeks)
2 Months prior to wedding date:
- Review and solidify previous preparation
- Sacrament of Reconciliation
- Time of prayer
- Plan wedding liturgy
- Final meeting with priest or deacon
See more at the Our Covenant of Love website
Visit ourcovenantoflovephx.org (English) or alianzadeamorphx.org (Spanish) to see how this policy, its requirements, and a variety of supporting resources are presented to local engaged couples.