Pre-Cana
Pre-Cana is a course or consultation couples must undergo before they can be married in a Catholic church. The name is derived from John 2:1–12, the wedding feast at Cana in Galilee, where Jesus performed the miracle of turning water into wine.
Approaches to Pre-Cana vary among Catholic dioceses and parishes. Often six month sessions are led by a priest or deacon with support from a married Catholic couple.
Online programs have emerged as an alternative to gathered events as parishes and dioceses cope with fewer resources, geographically expanding congregations and deployed military couples.
The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops considers the following topics as "must have conversations"[1] before couples marry:
- Spirituality/Faith
- Conflict Resolution Skills
- Careers
- Finances
- Intimacy/Cohabitation
- Children
- Commitment
Other topics that may be covered by Pre-Cana include:
- Ceremony Planning
- Family of Origin[2]
- Communication
- Marriage as a Sacrament
- Sexuality
- Natural Family Planning
- Theology of the Body
- Couple Prayer
- Unique Challenges of Military Couples
- Stepfamilies
- Children of Divorce
See also
- Christian view of marriage
- Marriage Encounter
References
External links
- Online Catholic Marriage Prep Class
- Catholic Marriage Preparation, LLC
- Diocese of Brooklyn
- Engaged Encounter
- Archdiocese of Chicago: Family Ministries Office