“Many of you are called to marriage, to family life. The world needs holy families who pass on the faith and show God’s love in daily life. If you think you may be called to marriage, pray for a spouse who will help you grow in holiness, help you grow in your faith.” -Pope Leo XIV, at the 2025 National Catholic Youth Conference-
Even before the wedding day, there is a lot that can be done to make marriages successful! The Church offers a variety of resources and opportunities to help prepare, start, and sustain healthy marriages.
Catholic Dating
- The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) has a great resources from both dating and married couples. Visit For Your Marriage for resources for people from single/dating to married and parents.
- The Dating Blueprint by Jason Evert shows how dating is not a relic of the past, but a practice that needs reviving. This is a good Catholic perspective on how to think and pursue dating.
- Young Adult Ministries can be fertile ground for Catholic Dating.
Marriage Preparation
Congratulations on your upcoming marriage! The Church is excited to journey with you as you prepare for this Sacrament! In the Diocese of Rochester, Marriage Preparation begins and is conducted through your parish. You should first reach out to them, and they will take you through the steps of preparation which include:
- Meetings with your parish to plan and prepare. Click Here to find a parish near you.
- Pre-Cana – the learning section of preparation where you will explore and prepare formally for the Sacrament.
- Fully Engaged – a self-diagnostic inventory designed to help couples learn about themselves and their unique relationship.
Marriage Enrichment
A strong marriage is like a campfire. It needs to be stoked to keep it strong. Here are some enrichment ideas and opportunities for your marriage.
- The Catholic Apostolate Center offers webinars, podcasts, and blogs designed to support marriages.
- Notre Dame Retreat House offers Couples’ Retreats and a space to renew.
- Families of Parishes offers a variety of resources for your marriage at any stage.
- World Wide Marriage Encounter is a resource designed to increase the love and romance in your marriage over a weekend. Visit their site for retreat dates and locations.