Marriage Prep: Building a Life in Faith Together

Preparing for a wedding and preparing for marriage are two very different things. Although both are important and exciting, the details of a wedding can overshadow the important work of preparing for the sacrament. The preparation that happens in the months leading up to the wedding is invaluable for a holy and happy marriage.

Linda Champagne may be new to the role of Marriage Coordinator, but her personal experience with married life helps her to guide new couples through their preparation. Linda’s role brings together all the different aspects of Marriage Prep, from meeting with the priest or deacon to the workshop with the diocese, to mentor couples, and beyond.

“The goal of Marriage Prep is to realize that it’s not just a sacrament we do on our wedding day, but a sacrament we will live out for the rest of our married life,” Linda says.

Marriage Prep requires about six months leading up to the wedding. During this time, couples will meet with either Fr. Pat or Deacon Byron. Linda sets the couple up to take an assessment called Fully Engaged, which helps couples to identify areas of strength and areas where they need more communication.

Linda then connects them with a mentor couple, with whom they’ll meet three or four times. These meetings are a great time to ask questions about things that come up in the Fully Engaged assessment or about Natural Family Planning.

At the diocesan level, couples will be asked to attend a one-day workshop. Rebekah Tolson, Coordinator of Married Life at the Diocese of Raleigh, along with presenters from various parishes, covers a variety of topics during the workshop. The workshop offers the couple plenty of time to discuss the material they are learning and look at how it applies to their own relationship and future.

“I hope couples come away with a greater sense of what their marriage could look like,” Rebekah says. “We want them to see that their marriage is an icon of God’s love when others can see marriage lived out in a trinitarian way.”

In her six months as coordinator leading up to wedding season, Linda has found plenty of reward in the feedback she hears from couples.

“One bride was just so excited about how the Church has walked with her and helped her build community,” Linda says. “Her mentor couple was actually down the street from her, then they saw them at church and went out for brunch together. She said that she thought it was just about the Sacrament of Marriage, but her faith has deepened and there’s so much to learn.”

The natural support and community are just some of the long-term impacts of taking Marriage Prep seriously. These short months, although a whirlwind, will lay the foundation for strong marriages, families, and ultimately, a joyful and faithful Church.

For more information, or to begin Marriage Prep, contact Linda Champagne at marriages@ourladyoflourdescc.org or 919-861-4600.

Tyler and Maria Raley celebrating their marriage convalidation in 2021

Austin and Missy Faur at their wedding.

Austin and Missy Faur celebrating their wedding.