Welcome to Our Lady of Mercy Maronite Church

 Marriage Preparation

Code of Canons of the Eastern Churches Canon 776 states

§1. The matrimonial covenant, established by the Creator and ordered by His laws, by which a man and woman by an irrevocable personal consent establish between themselves a partnership of the whole of life, is by its nature ordered toward the good of the spouses and the generation and education of the offspring.

§3. The essential properties of marriage are unity and indissolubility, which in a marriage between baptized persons obtain a special firmness in virtue of the sacrament.

Strong families begin with strong marriages.  Engaged couples need to be well prepared to embark on this journey of long-life commitment. All parishes offer marriage preparation to help couples develop a better understanding of the sacrament; the importance of their vocation to married life; and its significance for the community and for their eternal life.​

For Engaged Couples

Congratulations on your engagement and your decision to get married in the Church!

Below is the process and requirements to be married within the Maronite Catholic Church in the Eparchy of Saint Maron of Brooklyn. Please keep in mind that these steps are the starting point of your journey together.  Preparing for marriage is more than meeting a set of requirements; it is meant to help couples understand more about one another and about the beautiful vision of marital love that is the heart of Christian marriage.

​Steps to a Rewarding Marriage Preparation Experience

Step 1: Meet with Your Pastor
Contact your parish as soon as possible -- at least six months before your wedding date.

You will discuss the marriage preparation process with your pastor who will help determine canonical and civil requirements for marriage, and explore the possibility for the Sacrament of Chrismation if needed. You will also discuss any questions or concerns about a prior marriage, differences in faith, (Catholic and non-Catholic), or different ideas about marriage.

Please remember, it is important to have this meeting as early to complete the marriage program and process.

Step 2: FOCCUS Marriage Inventory
Your parish may require you to complete the FOCCUS marriage preparation inventory. FOCCUS is a series of statements designed to assess your communication skills; it will provide you with a personalized profile of your relationship's strengths and weaknesses. The inventory is an important starting place for couples to discuss areas of importance in marriage, and serves as a map of the road ahead.

FOCCUS is facilitated by a trained parish priest or a FOCCUS facilitator and is completed at the parish. Inquire about this step when you meet with your pastor.

Step 3:  Attend the Pre-Cana Program in your parish or in the local Latin diocese 
The Marriage Preparation Program offers engaged couples a complete understanding of God's glorious plan for marriage and sexuality. This program explores Church teachings on marriage and what it means to live out the vows of matrimony -- free, total, faithful, and fruitful love. It provides the engaged couples with the Christian witness of married people, to present an example of the Sacrament of Marriage as it is practically lived and to share their experiences on issues important to long-lasting marriages: self-awareness, communication, sexuality, and faith.

Step 4: Learn Natural Family Planning
One of the most important things you can do for your marriage is learning Natural Family Planning. Not only is it a morally acceptable way to plan your family, it also benefits a couple's relationship with a nearly non-existent divorce rate among NFP-practicing couples.

Click  NFP Initiative for Maronites - CEDAR OF LEBANON FERTILITYCARE CENTER to read about a great opportunity we are offering you to learn NFP from the comfort of your home. More information is available on our Natural Family Planning page.

Step 5: Meet with Your Pastor to Discuss the Wedding Ceremony
During the marriage preparation seminars and during your other parish requirements, you will have additional meetings with the priest that will bless your marriage. You will have the opportunity to discuss the educational materials, finalize liturgical plans, and address any additional needs that you have.

The above process may vary slightly from parish to parish, so please check with your parish priest to find out their specific requirements.

Be assured of our prayers for you, and may God bless you as you prepare for the rest of your lives together!