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Celebrating marriage in the ‘cruelest month’
The poet T.S. Eliot wrote, “April is the cruelest month,” but I think some of us disagree and believe it is February. Our days are
Amid difficulties, a fairy-tale wedding moment
A carriage whisked this couple from their wedding to the reception.
Floriography: Flowers with deeper roots
A Catholic florist brings natural beauty to weddings with sustainable practices.
Beauty of the Soul Studio focuses on the heart of the wedding day
Emily Annette Ott of Beauty of the Soul Studio focuses on the heart of the wedding day.
FOCCUS premarital questionnaire helps couples see their strengths, blind spots
When couples get married in the Arlington diocese, their six months of preparation usually includes filling out a premarital questionnaire known as the FOCCUS Pre-marriage Inventory.
Couples make it work during pandemic weddings
Newlyweds share how they celebrated their weddings in the midst of the pandemic.
A barn too nice for cows
In retirement, a Winchester couple bought a farm and ended up hosting wedding receptions.
Couple finds their ‘Way’ to marriage along the Camino de Santiago
It’s sometimes said that life is a journey. For Karla and Jason De Los Reyes, preparing for their new life together involved a literal journey — traveling 74 miles on foot along the Camino de Santiago in the days leading up to their wedding in Spain.
Catholic marriage preparation guidelines(1)
1. The Catholic Diocese of Arlington requires six months of marriage preparation, beginning with your initial contact with your parish priest.
2. Each couple marrying in the Diocese of Arlington is required to attend a marriage preparation conference such as a Conference for the Engaged.
3. You must currently be meeting with a priest/deacon for marriage preparation in order to register for a conference.
4. Most couples will be asked to take the FOCCUS premarital inventory. It is a tool designed to help engaged couples learn more about themselves and their relationship. It will also pave the way for them to discuss many of the topics that are central to ensuring that their marriage lasts a lifetime.
5. Your priest or deacon may require you to attend Natural Family Planning (NFP) classes. If he does not, we encourage you and your fiancé(e) to learn more about this organic way to plan a family that also respects the integrity of your marriage.
6. The preparing priest or deacon can assist you in preparing the liturgy, readings, music and other elements for your wedding.
From the diocesan Office for marriage, family and respect life