Saying “superficial” marriage preparation programs leave many couples at risk of having invalid marriages or unprepared to cope with the struggles that arise in every marriage, Pope Francis endorsed suggestions for a yearlong “marriage catechumenate” drafted by the Dicastery for Laity, the Family and Life.
Across the U.S., the coronavirus pandemic has drastically changed wedding plans. Some are taking part in socially distanced weddings while others have canceled altogether.
This past winter, Matilde passed away on a trip to Peru, the family’s native country. The children had her body brought back to White Plains, N.Y., where they live, for the funeral. One day, while praying with the family, their cousin-in-law Manuel Mendoza felt the Holy Spirit nudge him to invite the siblings who had been married civilly back to the faith.
Now after its release 50 years ago, we can look back on Pope Paul VI’s Humanae Vitae to see where we have progressed. At the time, there was much resistance, which I believe came from a prophetic teaching that was ahead of technology. Usually the Church is trying to do “catch-up” with new technology. Paul was a visionary!
The Diocese of Brooklyn and Queens provides marriage preparation classes – also known as pre-Cana – in English, Spanish, Creole, Polish and Italian. There are specialized sessions for interfaith couples, couples who are re-marrying and couples convalidating civil unions.
by Msgr. Joseph P. Calise ONE OF THE most enjoyable ministries in the diocese is Pre-Cana. For those who are not familiar with the program, a good explanation of what it hopes to accomplish is found in Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio’s letter introducing the program on the diocesan Pre-Cana website: www.pre-cana.org.
