Jesus and Mary were invited to a wedding in Cana near Galilee (John 2:1).  It was there where Jesus turned the jars of water into the finest wine the guests enjoyed. This was the first of Jesus' many public 'miracles' as he began ministry. It is fitting, therefore, that the period of preparation prior to a couple getting married is known as Pre-Cana.  Before the marriage, the man and woman are two separate entities, but, just as Jesus publically becomes one with the Church at Cana, the new husband and wife are joined together within and before the Church.  

The Catholic Church, through each local diocese, provides opportunities for couples to prayfully and throroughly prepare for the Sacrament of Marriage. Within the Diocese of Paterson, the Office of Family Life at St. Paul's Inside the Walls has established a step by step Guide to Marriage Preparation. The following are a summary of the steps each couple should take during the Pre-Cana process:

1. Contact your parish priest or deacon soon after your engagement (typically about 1 year prior to your anticipated wedding date).

2. Read through the Couple's Guide to Marriage Preparation packet.

3. Meet with your parish priest or deacon regularly to conduct pre-marriage discussions.

4. Attend two classes offered through St. Paul's Inside the Walls. These are God's Plan for a Joy-Filled Marriage and Marriage Preparation Life Skills.  Both are offered at various locations throughout the Diocese. To Register for these classes, see the link above titled "Guide to Marriage Preparation".

5. Celebrate your marriage with the Church as well as close family and friends!


For more resources on Catholic Marriage, the USCCB sponsors a great website called For Your Marriage.  This site contains information regarding Catholic wedding planning, real stories from real couples going through the Marriage prep process, and much more!