Preparing for Marriage

If you are preparing for Marriage, please read the information below.  We hope you find this helpful when planning your special day and blessed life together.

MARRIAGES

Couples wishing to be married must follow the following steps:

1. Contact the priest whom they wish to witness their marriage and arrange a date and time. DO NOT AGREE TO RENT A HALL OR MAKE ANY OTHER ARRANGEMENTS UNTIL THIS HAS BEEN DONE. You must contact the parish priest AT LEAST SIX (6) MONTHS before the desired date of the wedding. 

2. All couples who desire to be married must complete a recognized marriage instruction. Consult The Catholic Review for the dates and places of those conferences held in the area. There are many options which the consulting priest can suggest in choosing a conference or weekend. The parish office can also furnish this information. 

St. Benedict Parish has a wedding resources person who can help you plan all of your wedding details, including the ceremony and reception. When you contact the priest to make an appointment, ask about the consultant.

PRE-CANA CLASSES
 

In view of the stresses which affect marriage in today's  society, the Catholic Church wants to help engaged couples to prepare well for marriage. Classes are given twice a year at St. Benedict by couples from the parish in conjunction with the Archdiocese of Baltimore. Check with the parish office for the dates and times.

RENEWAL OF MARRIAGE VOWS

Those married couples celebrating important anniversaries (25, 50 years, etc.) are requested to contact the parish priest if they wish to renew marriage vows. This can take place at a regular weekend Mass or at a private family Mass. Once a year on World Marriage Day all couples renew their marriage vows at all the parish Masses.