Marriage Preparation Courses

"Marriage preparation should be a kind of ‘initiation’ to the sacrament of matrimony, providing couples with the help they need to receive the sacrament worthily and to make a solid beginning of life as a family." – Pope Francis, Amoris Laetitia, no. 207.

There are a number of wonderful formational experiences available for engaged couples today. In consultation with your pastor/officiant, you will go through a robust process of formation which will lead up to, and may extend beyond, the celebration of your wedding day.

The Diocese of Manchester offers regional Engaged Couple Courses, to assist with the marriage formation process. The following in-person dates are still available:

Marriage Formation Courses

For our most recent brochure CLICK HERE

Friday, 6-8:30pm and Saturday, 9am-4:30pm
Cost: $180 (does not include overnight accommodations)

2026

May 15-16
St. Thomas Aquinas, Derry

*Please note all courses starting in July 2026 will be one day
Saturdays from 9am-5pm
Cost: $175

2026

July 18th
St. Catherine of Siena, Manchester

September 19th
St. Joseph Cathedral, Manchester

October 17th
St. Joesph, Northwood

November 14th
Our Lady of Mercy, Merrimack

December 12th
Immaculate Conception, Nashua

2027

January 16th
St. Catherine of Siena, Manchester

March 6th
St. Theresa, Henniker

April 10th
St. Rose of Lima, Littleton

May 15th
St. Thomas Aquinas, Derry

June 12th
Kolbe Center, Manchester

Online Options

Looking or an online option? First talk with your pastor about options. Our office highly recommends:

Joy-Filled Marriage Self-Paced Online Course with Live Guided Discussion, which offers a comprehensive approach that covers not only the sacramentality and theology of marriage, but the practical life skills necessary to live out the rich Catholic vision of marriage.

or

CatholicMarriagePrep.com which is based on Saint John Paul II's Theology of the Body and is the only online pre-Cana program offering personalized one-on-one mentoring by trained married couples.

Please email Elise Coleman at ecoleman@rcbm.org for registration details.

To discuss these and other enrichment opportunities for engaged couples, please contact your parish or pastor/officiant.