Congratulations on your decision to get married in the Catholic Church. The Archdiocese of Edmonton Marriage Formation process helps prepare couples for an ongoing and lifelong Christ-centered marriage.
Preparing for the sacrament of marriage takes time and attentiveness. The process is designed to help to improve relationship skills and the overall quality of the relationship through steady, reassuring and supportive short- and long-term preparation and ongoing formation.
The programs are suitable for those who are seriously dating and for civilly married couples who are discerning marriage in the Catholic Church. We are dedicated to helping couples be successful in good and holly marriages that reflect God’s love to the world.
Marriage Formation Steps
Contact your parish at least twelve months prior to your anticipated wedding date. If you do not belong to a parish, contact the parish that is geographically closest to either party.
The process begins with the initial interview with your priest or deacon BEFORE setting a date or registering for a marriage formation course. The priest or deacon will confirm that you may move forward in the process and register for Marriage Formation.
The Marriage Formation course includes:
- Prepare-Enrich Premarital Inventory
- Completing the Archdiocese of Edmonton approved Marriage Formation program
- The engaged couple MUST FIRST complete the initial interview with the priest or deacon BEFORE they can register for a Marriage Formation program.
- Choosing a Fertility Health Awareness Education or Natural Family Planning Course
- Fertility Health Awareness education or natural family planning is natural, economical and respectful to the body of the woman and consistent with Catholic teaching.
- An overview of Fertility Health Awareness is included within the Marriage Formation program. Following the Fertility Awareness presentation, the couple may choose an NFP program of their choice:
- Billings
- Creighton
- Marquette
- Serena
The second meeting takes place four to six months before the wedding. The Prepare-Enrich Inventory and the Marriage Formation course should be completed and a certificate of completion is issued to the couple and then submitted to the priest or deacon.
Please register for and complete a Natural Family Planning Course prior to the third meeting.
The couple should:
- Complete and submit all necessary forms and documents
- Obtain a Civil Marriage License
- Review the Order of Celebrating Matrimony and Choose from the Approved Readings, Prayers and Music
The third meeting takes place with the officiating pastor to finalize details of the wedding such as the wedding liturgy, including readings, prayers and approved music, along with settling the financial responsibilities related to the wedding.
Couples are encouraged to participate in the Sacrament of Reconciliation shortly before the wedding day.