Preparation for Matrimony

---

St. Frances Cabrini follows the guidelines for marriage preparation as established by the Diocese of St. Petersburg, which requires a minimum of six months preparation from the time of initial interview with the priest/deacon and the date of marriage. This ensures enough time to adequately prepare the couple for the sacrament. 

To start this process, please complete the form below. 

Please remember couples best prepare for matrimony by means of regular participation in the general sacramental life of the Church.  Couples should consider participation in the Sunday liturgy, confession, daily prayer, actions of charity, and living out the chaste Christian life to be the groundwork wherein their relationship will mature and blossom.

This information outlines a typical process (yours might be slightly different, although not drastically):

The purpose of the first meeting for the priest or deacon to get to know a little bit about the couple. It is all very relaxed and conversational. He will gather information regarding your church of baptism. If it was a Catholic baptism or the person came into the church through RCIA/RCIC, please have the name and location of the church, and approximate date of baptism. Preparation for matrimony requires that we obtain a recently issued copy of your baptismal certificate from the church where you were baptized. 

Our diocese requires that all engaged couples planning a wedding to participate in the PMI process six months prior to the wedding date. 

You will schedule an appointment to complete a Pre Marital Inventory (PMI).

PMI is an “inventory” survey designed to help couples learn more about themselves and their unique relationship. The survey provides individualized couple feedback on where each partner stands in regards to topics important to the marriage. It is a simple way of helping couple’s identify potential strengths and weakness in their relationship.

You will meet with the priest or deacon in your home to take the PMI and then meet a second time to discuss your results. The follow-up meeting is a facilitated discussion between you and your fiancé based on the results of the survey.                

Couples must attend a marriage prep workshop conducted by the Diocese and usually at the Bethany Retreat Center in Lutz.  

You will attend a class on what NFP is, how it is practiced, and its relation to Church teachings. It takes place at St. Mark the Evangelist and can be taken anytime in the process.