Contact your local Catholic parish and let them know about your engagement. Often, at this point, you will meet with the priest, deacon, or the marriage preparation coordinator to complete some preliminary paperwork.

Take the FOCCUS, PREPARE-ENRICH, or FACET inventory. These inventories are intended to identify relationship strengths and growth areas to help tailor your marriage preparation to your specific situation. Often this inventory can be taken online. Discuss with your parish whether it is to be done at the parish or through the Archdiocese of Baltimore.

Sign up for a marriage preparation program. Before signing up for a program ensure it will be accepted by your local parish because different parishes offer different programs.

• Sponsor Couples: A married couple from your parish is trained to guide you through your preparation course, using a Pre-marriage Discussion Inventory to facilitate communication and understanding. You will meet with the sponsor couple at their home. Register directly with your parish.
• Group-Style “Pre-Cana” Conferences: These workshop-style group programs are open to any couple. You will complete a pre-marriage discussion inventory to facilitate communication and understanding. Below are the Archdiocesan Pre- Cana programs currently open. Your parish also may have a Pre-Cana program not listed here. To see available dates and register for classes CLICK HERE.
• Engaged Encounter
• Three to Get Married Program at Our Lady of Bethesda
• Remarriage preparation classes. For information regarding classes and to register CLICK HERE

Attend a Natural Family Planning class. There are several different types of Natural Family Planning. To learn more and sign up for classes CLICK HERE.

Maintain contact with your local parish throughout the whole process. This will ensure that you are able to schedule any follow-up meetings with your celebrant, ensure the submission all of necessary documents, and everything is in order for the liturgy (readings, music, etc.).

Actively participate in your Catholic faith. For example, attend Sunday Mass, pray regularly with your fiancé, receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation, and spend time with the Blessed Sacrament in Adoration.