Marriage Preparation

Congratulations on your engagement! Now that you’re engaged you might be asking – What comes next? To begin, check out the Eight Steps for Engaged Couples. One such step is to participate in a marriage preparation workshop often referred to as Pre-Cana. The program we use in the Boston Archdiocese is one that we developed called Transformed in Love.

Transformed in Love prepares engaged couples, and those who are civilly married seeking a convalidation, to build a solid foundation for their sacred and lifelong union; one built on Jesus Christ. It will help you:

  • Understand the nature of marriage and the impact its sacramental character can have on the spouses, family, and society
  • Learn practical skills and tools to assist with healthy communication and managing expectations well
  • Engage in relationship-building exercises to develop a strong connection between spouses
  • Hear firsthand the experiences of other married couples
Couple kneeling before the priest elevating the Eucharist on their wedding day
Groom kissing his bride's hand on wedding day

Marriage Prep Schedule

Below is a list of faith communities that host Transformed in Love or Transformados en el Amor. There is a selection of both virtual and in person workshops to choose from. Please scroll down for the 2024 dates/locations that work best for you and click where applicable for exact times. 

If you find yourself in need of special accommodations, please contact us for alternative options.

Hosted by the Pastoral Center in Braintree

  • May 3-4 (In person) | Register
  • June 5, 11, 13 (Virtual mini-series) | Register

Hosted by Parish Teams 

Hosted by Centers 

Transformados en el Amor (Español/en persona)

  • New dates TBA | St. Patrick, Lowell | Call 716-598-0186 for information
  • New dates TBA | Santisimo Redentor, East Boston | Tel. Parroquia 617 567 3227 | Tel. Hna. Lorena 857 707 50 70
  • 13 y 14 de abril de 2024 | 8 y 9 de junio | 26 y 27 de octubre |  St. Stephen, Framingham | Email
  • 23 y 24 de noviembre | Santa María, Waltham | llamar o enviar mensaje 617-396-6272 o al 617-602-5966
  • 22 y 23 de junio de 2024 | 24 y 25 de agosto | St. Columbkille, Brighton | Email
Vietnamese 
  • Khóa Giáo Lý Dự Bị Hôn Nhân tiếng Việt 2023

Convalidation

If you were civilly married and seek holy matrimony within the Catholic Church, please contact your local parish for how you can receive the grace of the Sacrament of Matrimony. For more information on convalidation, read the Dec. 2023, Boston Pilot article.

What Your Workshop Covers

Transformed in Love explores the following topics:

  • Self-Knowledge: Knowing Your True Self
  • Communication: Relationship Skills for Marriage
  • Expectations:  Great Expectations Are Managed Well
  • What is Love?  The Four Loves
  • God is Love: Proclaiming the Good News (Kerygma)
  • What is Marriage? God’s Plan for Love and Life
  • The Sacrament of Matrimony: You, Me, and Jesus
  • The Rite of Marriage: The Consent We Give and Live
  • Finances: Let’s Talk Money
  • Five Spiritual Practices for Marriage and Family Life: Keeping Christ at the Center of Our Marriage
  • The Mass: The Presence of Christ
  • Marital Sexuality: Love’s Perfect Design
  • We are on a Mission: Our Marriage and Family, An Icon of God’s Love

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