Congratulations on your engagement!
And now... What do we do?
The following are requirements of the Diocese of Tyler:
Call the office (12 months before the wedding)
Call as soon as you get engaged! A member of the parish staff will schedule a meeting with you to discuss your wedding preparations as soon as possible.
Initial Meeting (12 months before the wedding)
At this meeting, you’ll learn about the formation process for the Sacrament of Holy Matrimony, the necessary paperwork for your marriage, and set your tentative wedding date.
Couple Inventory (11 months before the wedding)
The couple inventory provides you with a personalized profile of your relationship. We will set this up for you, and upon completion, someone from the staff will help you schedule the follow-up session to review your results.
Witness to Love (9-10 months before the wedding)
You will be asked to choose your own marriage mentor couple who will accompany you during your formation and throughout your first few years of marriage using the Witness to Love model. You will have several meetings with them in the time leading up to your wedding, and they will continue to be a support to you in the years to come! Click on the image to learn about Witness to Love.
Retreat (6-7 months before the wedding)
This retreat weekend will be an opportunity for you to grow closer to Jesus Christ and to one another. Here you will build on the topics you have discussed with your Pastor and your Mentor Couple, with a special focus on the theology of Catholic marriage and other teachings of our Catholic faith.
Natural Family Planning (5-6 months before the wedding)
NFP respects the love-giving and life-giving purposes of marriage and enriches the bond between husband and wife. This course gives couples a natural approach to understanding the cycles of fertility and infertility. Course listings may be found on the St. Philip Institute website.
Final Meeting (2 months before the wedding)
This meeting will review your previous preparation, complete all your paperwork, and plan your wedding liturgy. You’re getting close to celebrating this beautiful sacrament!
Sacrament of Reconciliation (1 week before the wedding)
Catholics preparing for the Sacrament of Holy Matrimony are encouraged to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Reconciliation and the Eucharist are invaluable sources of grace and healing. Celebrate this sacrament with your spouse-to-be!