"If a man and a woman marry in order to be companions on the journey from earth to heaven, then their union will bring great joy to themselves and to others." — St. John Chrysostom Marriage Preparation Steps Step 1: Contact your parish Contact your parish to establish your freedom to marry and to register for marriage preparation. You should receive a copy of the Celebration of Matrimony Workbook and a current archdiocesan marriage preparation brochure during this first contact with the parish. FIND A PARISH Things to Keep in Mind: Couples most benefit from marriage preparation if their FOCCUS facilitation and CEE retreat or MAJ workshop are completed 6 months prior to their wedding day. Please plan so that you are not rushed to complete the 7 Steps. The Archdiocese of Omaha requires a minimum of 6 months of preparation time before the scheduled wedding date. If the bride or groom will be less than 19 years old on the date you plan to marry, a wedding date will not be set until the preparation process is complete. If either the bride or groom or both have previously celebrated any type of wedding whatsoever, a written decree of nullity (annulment) is required prior to registering for marriage preparation. Step 2: Register with the Archdiocese Step 3: FOCCUS Facilitation Step 4: Attend a Marriage Formation program Step 5: Take a Fertility Awareness/Natural Family Planning course Step 6: Reconciliation Step 7: Meet with your priest Helpful Resources for Parishes: 2021 Marriage Prep Brochure 2022 Marriage Prep Brochure 2021 Hispanic Marriage Prep brochure English version of Spanish 2022 Hispanic Marriage Prep brochure English version of Spanish 2021 Preparación Matrimonial en Español 2022 Preparación Matrimonial en Español 2021 MAJ Dates 2022 MAJ Dates HOME Find A Parish Schools Staff Links Español DISCOVER Directory Careers Financial Reports News Contact us EVENTS Young Adult Events Youth Ministry Submit an Event ARCHBISHOP Leadership Pastoral Planning Podcasts Requests MINISTRY Annulments Marriage Prep Mass for Shut-Ins Pornography Healing Safe Environment Vocations DONATE Give The Archdiocese of Omaha 2222 N. 111th St. Omaha, NE 68164 P: (402) 558-3100 F: (402) 558-3026 Connect with us Sign up below to receive regular updates from the Archdiocese of Omaha. NEXT © 2021 Archdiocese of Omaha