The premarriage preparations contain not only practical suggestions for a good marriage, but also encourages the spiritual readiness of the couple. The best preparation for a Christian marriage is to live a truly Christian lifestyle with Sunday Mass, the sacraments, prayer and works of justice and charity and chastity, as hallmarks of a life in Christ. Unfortunately, many couples who ask to be married in the Church come confused and are already living together. Even though cohabitation is widely accepted in our society, it is clearly contrary to the teaching of the word of God. Saint Paul says that our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit.
Cohabitation is scandalous and detracts from the sacredness of marriage.
This failure to grasp the essence of holy matrimony is cause for serious pastoral concern. Enlightening a couple as to the ways they sell their relationship short and cheapen the richness of the sacramental grace found in marriage demands that diligent guidance and caring instruction be given such couples. The Church urges all engaged couples who are living together to separate and those who are engaging in sexual relations to stop. Those who are Catholic should seek to be reconciled with God by receiving the Sacrament of Penance or Confession. In this Sacrament, God's forgiveness and strength is always available to us.