Official Website of the
Catholic Diocese of Little Rock
Marriage FAQ
What is the meaning of sacrament of marriage?
Marriage is a covenant by which a man and woman form an intimate communion of life and love (Catechism of the Catholic Church). In marriage a man and a woman mutually consent to give themselves to each other totally and exclusively in a union that is unifying, indissoluble and open to life. When both the man and woman are baptized, their union is a sacrament. To learn more, go to Marriage Q&A.
What's New
World Marriage Day is Sunday, Feb. 12 - Feb 8, 2023 The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops partners with other organizations to... |
Calendar of Events
| June 17 Virtual Pre-Cana Day Online Event |
| July 23 - July 29 2023 Natural Family Planning Awareness Week Nationwide |
| Aug. 26 Virtual Pre-Cana Day Online Event |
| Sep. 9 Marriage Convalidation Retreat in Spanish St. Vincent de Paul Church - Rogers |
| Sep. 22 - Sep. 24 Retrouvaille St. John Catholic Center |
Family Life Office
The Family Life Office develops, supports and coordinates marriage and family ministry in its many dimensions throughout the Diocese of Little Rock. The following programs are available for:
Engaged Couples
Because marriage is lifelong, the Church wants to help couples build strong, lasting marriages. For this reason, couples seeking marriage in the Catholic Church are asked to spend several months in marriage preparation through the following options:
Sponsor Couple — Couple-to-couple marriage preparation ministry between married and engaged couples. Contact the Family Life Office to find a couple for you.
Pre-Cana Day — One-day retreat for engaged couples to reflect on their relationship and future marriage. Visit our calendar to find an event and register.
Natural Family Planning — Practice of achieving or avoiding pregnancy according to an informed awareness of a woman's fertility. Register online for the Sympto-Thermal Method (STM) at the Couple to Couple League website. Register for the Ovulation Method (OM) by e-mailing Elizabeth Reha or calling her at (501) 664-0340, ext. 373.
Getting Married Guide
Getting married? Congratulations! Many decisions must be made from choosing the wedding dress and planning the honeymoon to picking the flowers and photographer. Because marriage is lifelong, the Church also wants to help you build a strong, lasting marriage. For this reason, couples seeking marriage in the Catholic Church are asked to spend several months in marriage preparation. To learn more, visit our Getting Married Guide.
Married Couples
The Catholic Church cares about your marriage. Every marriage witnesses to God’s faithful, fruitful, and lasting love for his people. Marriage confers numerous benefits on a husband and wife and the children they are blessed to have.
The Church wants to help couples keep their marriages strong, happy and holy. The Family Life Office offers the following programs to strengthen and restore marriages:
Convalidation Class — Offered for couples who are married civilly (outside the Catholic Church) and wish to have a sacramental marriage. Visit our calendar to find an event and register.
Retrouvaille — Marriage help for troubled couples that begins with a weekend away followed by three months of sessions to help hurting couples rediscover a loving marital relationship. Register online on the Retrouvaille website.
Worldwide Marriage Encounter — A weekend experience for married couples to spend time together, away from the distractions and tensions of everyday life, where they can focus on each other and their relationship. Register online on the Worldwide Marriage Encounter website.
Marriage FAQ
What is the meaning of sacrament of marriage?
Marriage is a covenant by which a man and woman form an intimate communion of life and love (Catechism of the Catholic Church). In marriage a man and a woman mutually consent to give themselves to each other totally and exclusively in a union that is unifying, indissoluble and open to life. When both the man and woman are baptized, their union is a sacrament. To learn more, go to Marriage Q&A.
What's New
World Marriage Day is Sunday, Feb. 12 - Feb 8, 2023 The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops partners with other organizations to... |
Calendar of Events
| June 17 Virtual Pre-Cana Day Online Event |
| July 23 - July 29 2023 Natural Family Planning Awareness Week Nationwide |
| Aug. 26 Virtual Pre-Cana Day Online Event |
| Sep. 9 Marriage Convalidation Retreat in Spanish St. Vincent de Paul Church - Rogers |
| Sep. 22 - Sep. 24 Retrouvaille St. John Catholic Center |
