Wedding's Spiritual Preparation

As you prepare your path to the Sacrament of Marriage, it's essential to remember that your relationship with God is just as crucial as your relationship with each other. According to the Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC 1601):

"The matrimonial covenant, by which a man and a woman establish between themselves a partnership of the whole of life, is by its nature ordered toward the good of the spouses and the procreation and education of offspring; this covenant between baptized persons has been raised by Christ the Lord to the dignity of a sacrament."

As such, spiritual preparation plays a vital role in the Wedding process.

Understanding Your Vows

Before we dive into the spiritual preparation, it's important to reflect on the vows you'll be making to each other on your Wedding day, which you can find on the CatholicWeddingHelp website. As you prepare to make these promises, consider the following questions:

1. What does it mean to love and serve God together?
2. How can we grow in faith and spirituality as a couple?
3. What role will prayer play in our marriage?

33 Days to Morning Glory
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Spiritual Preparation for Marriage

To prepare for the Sacrament of Marriage, consider the following steps:

1. Attent Holy Mass

   : For Catholics, the Holy Mass is the highest form of worship. While Sundays and Feast days are days of obligation, committing to attend Holy Mass daily (if possible) can really enrich your spiritual life. A really valuable article on the subject can be found on the CatholicExchange website.

2. Frequent Confession

   : The Sacrament of Reconciliation deepens personal faith. Padre Pio invited all believers to confess at least once a week. He said: "Even if a room is closed, it is necessary to dust it after a week.".

3. Spend time with Jesus in Adoration

   : St. Teresa of Calcutta said: "Every Holy Hour we make so pleases the Heart of Jesus that it is recorded in Heaven and retold for all eternity!". In particular, try spending time with Jesus in silence. An highly recommended book about silent prayer is The Power of Silence: Against the Dictatorship of Noise by Cardinal Robert Sarah.

4. Daily Rosary

   : Our Lady made 15 promises to those who recite the Rosary and meditate on the life of Jesus.

5. Consecrations to Our Lady and St Joseph

   : Consecrations are formal acts of filial entrustment to the care and protection of these incredible Saints. Recommended books to prepare for the Consecrations are: 33 Days to Morning Glory by Fr Michael E Gaitley (for the Marian Consecration) and Consecration to St. Joseph: The Wonders of Our Spiritual Father by Fr Donald Calloway.

6. Pray more Novenas

   : Novenas are prayers made for a defined period (usually nine days) to obtain graces, implore favors, ask for protection or celebrate particular Feasts. Many Catholics couples ask their families and friends to pray a particular Novena the 9 days before the wedding day. Among the recommended Wedding Novenas, stand out Novena for a Happy and Faithful Marriage by St. Jose' Maria Escriva' and Happy Marriage Novena: Powerful Prayer To Saint Valentine for Engaged Couples, Happy Marriage, Lovers, Young people, Beekeepers and Epilepsy by Williams Mark.

7. Commit to Ongoing Spiritual Growth

   : Marriage is a lifelong journey of growth and development. Fidn a spiritual director, commit to ongoing faith formation, read the Bible daily and books about the Catholic Faith, attend retreats and workshops.

Consecration to St. Joseph
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Conclusion

Your Wedding day is not just about exchanging vows and rings; it's also about promising to love, serve, and honor God together. As you prepare for this Sacrament, remember that spiritual preparation is just as essential as the logistics of planning a wedding.

By following these steps and committing to ongoing spiritual growth, you'll be well-prepared to embark on the adventure of marriage with faith, hope, and love. May God bless your union and guide you throughout your journey together!