Sacred Scripture begins with the creation and union of man and woman and ends with "the wedding feast of the Lamb" (Rev 19:7, 9). Scripture often refers to marriage, its origin and purpose, the meaning God gave to it, and its renewal in the covenant made by Jesus with his Church. 

By their marriage, the couple witnesses Christ's spousal love for the Church. One of the Nuptial Blessings in the liturgical celebration of marriage refers to this in saying, "Father, you have made the union of man and wife so holy a mystery that it symbolizes the marriage of Christ and his Church." 

The Sacrament of Marriage is a covenant, which is more than a contract. Covenant always expresses a relationship between persons. The marriage covenant refers to the relationship between the husband and wife, a permanent union of persons capable of knowing and loving each other and God. The celebration of marriage is also a liturgical act, appropriately held in a public liturgy at church. Catholics are urged to celebrate their marriage within the Eucharistic Liturgy.

~from the United States Catholic Catechism for Adults


 

Step One: Six (6) months to a year before your wedding date, contact your parish priest. You can expect to meet with the priest or deacon several times to complete and go over the Pre-Nuptial Marriage Investigation; take the Foccus survey; go over results of the survey; and to plan the liturgy for your wedding day. If you have a former marriage you will need to receive a Declaration of Invalidity before a wedding date can be scheduled.

Step Two: Register for the diocesan marriage preparation class. This class is designed as a tool to help you and your fiancé prepare for a lifetime marriage. We highly recommend you attend the earliest class possible before your wedding date.
 

Diocese of Memphis Marriage Prep
Schedule 2020
Location
St. Benedict at Auburndale High School (DLC/Dining Hall/Chapel)
8250 Varnavas Dr.  Cordova, TN 38016
Saturdays, 8am-4pm
April 4, 2020 (ENG)
April 18, 2020 (ESP) 
May 2, 2020 (ENG)
May 16, 2020 (ESP) 
June, 2020 (Cancelled) 
July 18, 2020 (Combined ENG & ESP from this date on)
Aug 15, 2020 (Combined ENG & ESP from this date on)
Oct 17, 2020 (Combined ENG & ESP from this date on)
Nov 21, 2020 (Combined ENG & ESP from this date on)
Registration is available at: 
https://webview.shelbyinc.com/app/07120/default.aspx?tabindex=2&tabid=21

Online Marriage Preparation Class

There is an online marriage preparation class offered, if you are unable to attend class in person.  Please register through this website and access the link below. When you register through this link, the Diocese will receive notification of your attendance so it can be available to add to your sacramental records.

Catholic Marriage Prep

Step Three: Register online for  Natural Family Planning Class series (NFP). Natural Family Planning is an all-natural method, scientifically based on the woman’s patterns of fertility and infertility. It promotes romance, respect and communication between husband and wife. It can deepen the intimacy between you and your spouse, strengthen your relationship and give you peace.
The Natural Family Program is available online at:

https://learnnfponline.com/billings-ovulation-method-2/

It is best for engaged couples to attend the classes at least six months before their wedding.

Please contact the parish priest to discuss steps you need to take in order to be married in the Roman Catholic Church.

You would need documents of your marriage lincence and final divorce decree.

There are different canonical processes conducted by the Tribunal and/or the Chancellor’s Office to determine the status of those whose marriage has ended in divorce.  There are different applications for each of these canonical processes.

To determine which application to use, please click on the following link and answer a few questions to determine which application is the correct one for you.

Which application should I complete?

From the moment of Jesus' conception in the womb of Mary until his Resurrection, he was filled with the Holy Spirit.  In biblical language, he was anointed by the Holy Spirit and thus established by God the Father as our high priest. As Risen Lord, he remains our high priest. . . . While all the baptized share in Christ's priesthood, the ministerial priesthood shares this through the Sacrament of Holy Orders in a special way. 

Ordination to the priesthood is always a call and a gift from God. Christ reminded his Apostles that they needed to ask the Lord of the harvest to send laborers into the harvest.  Those who seek priesthood respond generously to God's call using the words of the prophet, "Here I am, send me" (Is 6:8).  This call from God can be recognized and understood from the daily signs that disclose his will to those in charge of discerning the vocation of the candidate.

~from the United States Catholic Catechism for Adults 
 

DISCERN YOUR VOCATION

in the Diocese of Memphis

Where is God calling you?