Marriage Education Programs

Because marriage is lifelong, the Catholic Church wants to help couples build strong, lasting marriages. For this reason, couples seeking marriage in the Church are asked to spend six or more months in marriage preparation, which includes an education program and Natural Family Planning (NFP). To fulfill the educational portion of marriage preparation in the Diocese of Little Rock, engaged couples must attend Pre-Cana Day, the Sponsor Couple program or some other diocesan-approved marriage education program. This is determined with your pastor. Convalidation classes are offered for couples who are married civilly (i.e., "outside the Catholic Church") and wish to have a valid marriage recognized by the Church. | Español | Contact Us

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Sponsor Couple

Sponsor Couple is a couple-to-couple marriage preparation ministry between married and engaged couples. The sponsor couple or mentor couple assists the engaged couple in reflecting on the reality of married life. Topics covered include the sacrament of marriage, family of origin, communication, finances, love and sexuality and parenting. To find out if this program is offered in your parish, contact your parish directly or speak to your pastor.

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Virtual Pre-Cana Day

Register for Pre-Cana

Pre-Cana Day is a online program for engaged couples to spend time together reflecting on their relationship and future marriage. Topics such as the sacrament of marriage, communication, finances, love and sexuality and parenting are discussed.

Registration is required one week prior to the event. See the Calendar of Events to find available dates on which to register. Click on a date to find the registration form. To register for Pre-Cana Day, please complete and submit the form. Then mail your $75 registration fee to: Family Life Office, 2500 N. Tyler St., Little Rock, AR 72207.

Online payment cannot be accepted at this time. Make checks payable to the Family Life Office. Registration is NOT complete until both the fee and this form have been received. If you need to register after the deadline date, please call the Family Life Office at (501) 664-0340. Pre-Cana and Convalidation programs are combined into one, in-person event for Spanish-speaking couples.

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Virtual Convalidation Class

Register for Convalidation Class

Online convalidation classes are offered for couples who are married civilly (i.e., "outside the Catholic Church") and who wish to have a valid marriage recognized by the Church. Canon law requires Roman Catholics marry according to sacred ritual before a priest or deacon, unless a dispensation (permission) is received from the Church beforehand.

If a Catholic does not observe this requirement and marries outside the Church, his or her marriage is not valid. Couples who wish to have their civil marriage recognized by the Church are asked to participate in a special marriage preparation program (including a convalidation class), complete marriage paperwork and have vows witnessed by a priest or deacon. 

With the approval of your pastor, please register for a convalidation class at least one week prior to the event. See the Calendar of Events to find available dates on which to register. Click on a date to find the registration form. 

To register for a convalidation class, please complete and submit the form. Then mail your $75 registration fee to: Family Life Office, 2500 N. Tyler St., Little Rock, AR 72207. Online payment cannot be accepted at this time. Make checks payable to the Family Life Office. Registration is NOT complete until both the fee and this form have been received. If you need to register after the deadline date, please call the Family Life Office at (501) 664-0340. Pre-Cana and Convalidation programs are combined into one event for Spanish-speaking couples.

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