Attendance at a marriage preparation program is a requirement in the Archdiocese of Louisville.  All programs include reflection on the nature and sacramentality of marriage, married love, family life, family planning and marital responsibilities, communication within marriage, and personal expectations.  There are three marriage preparation options to choose from.

Sponsor Couple Program

This parish-based program consists of a series of four sessions with a trained married couple in their home, plus meetings with a priest or deacon.   Engaged couples interested in working with a sponsor couple should contact the Wedding Coordinator for more information.

Cathedral couples that have been married at least five years are trained to facilitate sessions with engaged couples. The sponsor couple shares their personal experience of Christian marriage with the engaged couple through a one-couple to one-couple approach. The flexibility and adaptability of the meetings, combined with the personal and pastoral focus of sharing, provide a very satisfying experience for the engaged couple as they learn skills that they can use in their marriage.  Training for sponsor couples is available through the Family Ministries Office, (502) 636-0296 or www.archlou.org/family.

Staff Contact – Barbara Stein, Wedding Coordinator, (502) 582-2971, Ext. 5212 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Foundation For Marriage

Foundation for Marriage is a diocesan program designed primarily for those entering a first marriage.  The sessions are structured to help engaged couples better understand themselves and the joys, complexities and challenges of marriage.  This one-day, eight-hour program addresses the topics of marriage as a sacrament, communication, budgeting as a couple, parenting, Christian sexuality, and family of origin.  Persons who have expertise in these areas present the topics and are assisted by married couples. 

Contact the Family Ministries Office, (502) 636-0296 or www.archlou.org/family for cost, dates and locations.

Catholic Engaged Encounter

Catholic Engaged Encounter is recognized both nationally and internationally as a quality, highly effective preparation program designed to meet the needs of today’s engaged couples.  It is an intensive weekend retreat during which each couple is offered the time and opportunity to question, examine, and deepen their relationship with each other and with God.  Topics covered during the weekend include self-awareness, communication, decision-making, vocation, sacrament, unity and more.

The presenting teams usually consist of two married couples and a priest who give a series of carefully prepared presentations.  After each presentation, the engaged couple is encouraged to dialogue privately with each other – always from the viewpoint of their own relationship.  CEE is designed primarily for first marriages.

Contact the Family Ministries Office, (502) 636-0296 or www.archlou.org/family for cost, dates and locations.  You can also read more about Catholic Engaged Encounter  www.engagedencounter.org.