START HERE (For Clergy & parish leaders)
The Diocese of Lincoln has revised its Marriage Preparation Policy Guidelines to reflect the new Vatican guidelines for the Marriage Catechumenate as set forth by the Dicastery for Laity, Family, & Life. For the comprehensive diocesan policy, you may access here.
The Marriage Catechumenate is designed to be more than just a checklist—it is a spiritual and practical roadmap for your future together.
key resources for parishes
- For Parishes: Step-by-Step Get Started Training Guide
- Use our "Parish Implementation Checklist" on page 2 for a step-by-step checklist to train your parish
- For Couples - Digital Checklist: An editable tool to help you track your progress from your first meeting to your wedding day.
- Need to know who to Contact? Who To Contact - Marriage Catechumenate Support
Note for Couples: We recommend beginning this process at least six to nine months prior to your desired wedding date to allow for proper reflection and formation. Please go to the 10 Steps to Get Married webpage to review the registration links and your own digital checklist.
-
-
Start Here
- Review the Get Started Training Guide (Parish Implementation Checklist and FAQ's)
- 🔗 Watch the Diocese of Lincoln Marriage Catechumenate Launch Session here!
Fr. Troy Schweiger Testimony
-
What is the Marriage Catechumenate?
What is the Marriage Catechumenate?
Similar to OCIA, it prepares couples for marriage through structured stages of formation, mentorship, and support ideally over a year, allowing for conversion, lay-couple mentorship, and a bridging the couple into parish community. It is a personalized and gradual progression to learn theology of marriage, life skills, couple’s prayer (couples that pray together daily have a less than 1% chance of divorce - see the resource on the side menu!), and a deepening relationship with Christ.
-
Formation & Retreats
BE MORE MARRIAGE FORMATION RETREAT (FREE)
How to Access: Register for the Be More Retreat
Mentor couples and clergy are encouraged to review the following lessons, regardless of if the couple is attending Engaged Encounter or watching Be More. This extra formation helps prepare them for the Theology of Marriage Discussion Night (Session 5).
• Theology Lessons 1-6
• Life Skills Lesson 5: Marriage and Sexuality: What is the Church Doing in the Bedroom
If an engaged couple is using Be More for their retreat option, they should watch all the lessons (theology + life skills); but you may omit life skills lessons if it does not apply (i.e., ecumenical marriage). A couple may only use Be More as a pre-marriage retreat option if they meet the exceptions and are approved by their pastor. A completion certificate is given at the end.
- 1
