Marriage Preparation / Preparación para el Matrimonio

Our Catholic Understanding of Marriage / Nuestra Comprensión Católica del Matrimonio

As Catholic Christians, we believe that God does more than bless the marriage. It is God who calls a man and a woman to each other in marriage. It is God who makes the first move, sharing with us His love and life. Because of God’s unbounded love, couples learn to share this love in lasting fidelity. This special union is called Marriage.

Marriage is much more than a legal contract. It involves promises, commitments, and rights, but above all, it is a Sacrament — a visible sign of God’s presence. The union of husband and wife reflects the love of Christ and His Church. The love shared by Christ with His people is made visible through marriage.

Our goal in marriage preparation is to help engaged couples build a grace-filled, loving, and enduring marriage. This preparation benefits not only the couple but the entire Church community.

All policies and guidelines in this booklet are carefully designed to ensure a beautiful wedding and a blessed, joyful marriage.

Marriage Preparation Process / Proceso de Preparación para el Matrimonio

Because marriage is a lifelong commitment, the Diocese of San Bernardino requires couples to complete a marriage preparation program. The steps are:

1. Obtain your Baptism Certificate, First Communion Certificate, and Confirmation Certificate.

   • Your Baptism Certificate must be dated within the last six months. Please contact your baptismal church to obtain an updated copy.

   • Wedding dates will NOT be scheduled without a current Baptism Certificate.

2. With these documents, call the parish Front Office at (760) 244-9180 to schedule a Pre-Cana interview with the priest.

3. After the initial interview, the priest will meet with a witness from each party.

4. The couple must complete a marriage preparation class.

5. After these steps are complete, you may select a wedding date.

   • Note: Wedding dates are not assigned more than 8 months in advance.

6. A $100 deposit is required when selecting the wedding date. The remaining balance is due one month before the wedding. Monthly payments are encouraged to help ease financial stress.

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Preparation Guide for a Wedding at Holy Family