Please consult your parish before you register for a marriage preparation course.
There are various programs available to you within the Archdiocese, all of which focus on the theology of Catholic marriage as well as important life skills. Through your parish, you will receive help in identifying a marriage preparation program that best fits your needs. These programs are available on weekdays, weekends, and, if needed, online. Find the format that works best for your engagement.
Note: Completing one of these courses (or a different program available through your parish) fulfills the marriage preparation step #4 of enrolling in a marriage preparation program. Review our “Preparation for Holy Matrimony” brochure for more information.
Weekday Courses
God’s Plan for Marriage Prep Program
These seminars explore God’s divine plan for marriage and also focus on how couples can build a strong foundation for their marriage. These classes meet on Thursday evenings from 7:00 PM – 9:30 PM at St. Catherine of Siena parish.
- Location: St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Church, Denver
- Day/Time: Thursday evenings from 7:00 pm – 9:30pm
- Session Dates:
- 2021 January 7, 14, 21, 28
- 2021 February 4, 11, 18, 25
- 2021 March 4, 11, 18, 25
- 2021 May 6, 13, 20, 27
- 2021 June 3, 10, 17, 24
- 2021 August 5, 12, 19, 26
- 2021 September 2, 9, 16, 23
- 2021 October 7, 14, 21, 28
- Registration: Call 720-212-8303 or
email coleman.colin@gmail.com
- Cost: $180 (This includes study materials)
- To Pay:
Send check/money order to:
Dcn. Colin Coleman – 4200 Federal Blvd. Denver, CO 80211
In the memo, write the “marriage seminar” and the month that you have selected. You will be sent a confirmation of registration by email.
Or:
Zelle or Apple Pay is also available:
Email coleman.colin@gmail.com for details, if this is your preferred method of payment.
Catholic Marriage Prep. Com – Live Classes
This program is taught by married couples, based on JPII’s Theology of the Body, and the teachings of the Catholic Church. This class has four evening sessions.
- Location: St. John Paul II Center – Denver (1300 S. Steele St, Denver, CO, 80210)
- Time: 6:30-9:00pm
- Session Dates:
- 2021 May 5, 12, 19, 26 (Wed)
- 2021 October 5, 12, 19, 26 (Tues)
- Cost: $185
- More information: 719-531-0738 or 800-208-1364
- To register for the live program: www.catholicmarriageprep.com
Weekend Retreats/Intensive Courses
“And the Two Shall Become One Flesh” – St. Mary (Littleton)
This weekend retreat is an opportunity for engaged couples to grow in their understanding and appreciation of God’s plan for happiness in marriage. The weekend provides dynamic presentations on various topics regarding Holy Matrimony, God’s intentions for our human sexuality, the meaning and impact of authentic spousal love, and how to manage the basic components of married life together.
There will be an opportunity to celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation and we will attend Mass on Sunday morning, followed by a brunch to conclude the retreat hosted by families in our Families of Bethany ministry.
- Location: St. Mary (6853 S. Prince Street Littleton, CO 80120)
- Dates: 2021 TBD
- Sessions:
- Friday 6:00pm-9:30pm
- Saturday 8:00am-4:30pm
- Sunday 8:00am-12:00pm
- Cost: $180 per couple (includes 5 meals and materials)
- More information and registration: https://www.stmarylittleton.org/sacraments/marriage-retreat/
Engaged Couples Retreat
This retreat is held Friday evening and all-day Saturday. It is based on St. John Paul II’s “Theology of the Body.” It is led by Msgr. Leone and infused with his unique insight into married couples’ dynamic relationships. There are also presentations by married couples and ample time to discuss the Sacrament of Marriage with each other and other engaged couples. There is an opportunity for both Reconciliation and Mass.
- Location: Risen Christ Church Hall
- Date: 2021 April 23-24
- Cost: $180 per couple (includes 3 meals and materials)
- More information: contact Sally Hillen at 303-929-2275
- Registration: engagedcouplesretreat.com
Marriage-Builder Weekend – Light of the World
This weekend is an engaging mix of practical, spiritual, and theological presentations based on St. John Paul II’s Theology of the Body and the teachings of the Catholic Church. This course will be led by a team of married couples and a priest. Presentations are followed by group breakout sessions or time together as a couple. These activities are intended to apply what you have learned from the presentations to your own lives.
- Location: Light of the World Catholic Church, Littleton
- Dates:
- 2021 January 22-23 ***FULL***
- 2021 April 23-24 ***LIVE & in person
- Call: 303-973-3969 x244 (Sherwood Owens)
- More Information: Marriage Builder Weekend brochure
- Cost: $150 per couple (includes materials and meals)
- **In light of the Covid-19 virus we will maintain social distancing with a maximum of 20 couples on our LIVE weekend. It will not be via teleconference. Friday will be from 6-10 p.m. and Saturday will be from 8 a.m. – 8 p.m. We are going to ask that all couples wear masks when engaging with others. Your fee will cover all materials and food for the weekend. Click on the registration form and send it in.
St. Thomas More Marriage Prep Retreat
This weekend experience will allow couples preparing for marriage to fully understand the Sacrament of Matrimony in the Catholic Church. Couples will enjoy engaging presentations on topics related to God’s plan for marriage and receive fundamental tools for building and sustaining a Christ-centered marriage.
- Location: St. Thomas More Catholic Church, Centennial
- Dates:
Catholic Engaged Encounter
This weekend experience allows the engaged couples to identify and discuss several important topics to prepare for a healthy, Christ-centered marriage. The weekend retreat offers a deeper connection between the engaged couple while considering the needs and uniqueness of your particular relationship.
- Location: St. John Paul II Center – Denver (1300 S. Steele St, Denver, CO, 80210)
- Dates:
- Cost: $350 per couple (includes lodging, meals & materials)
- Register: www.denvercee.org
- For more information: Dan & Abby DeGennaro 303-898-1257
Online Courses
Catholic Marriage Prep.Com – Online Program
With pastor approval, this program is available to couples who need the flexibility of an online program. It is based on St. John Paul II’s Theology of the Body, and the teachings of the Catholic Church.
The course requires a minimum of 20 hours of active work. It is usually completed in three to six weeks. It must be completed within three months maximum. There is a total of 9 assignments. You will be paired with an instructor couple.
In special cases only, the course can be completed in less than three weeks. In these cases couples will have to sign up for our Urgent Care program (Cost: $245). This program allows engaged couples to expedite their worksheet processing. The course still takes a minimum of FIVE days to complete and is dependent on instructors’ availability. Note that instructors will not work on Sundays and Holy Days of Obligation.
The course covers the theology behind NFP, but does NOT include an actual NFP course.
- Cost: $194 (scholarships available based on financial need)
- More information: 800-208-1364
- To register for the online program: www.catholicmarriageprep.com
Joy-Filled Marriage Online Certification Course (Ascension Press)
(This course requires pastor approval before you register.)
This online self-paced course offers a comprehensive approach to marriage preparation 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.
This program incorporates a three-stage approach:
- Learning Stage: Couples learn sound principles and a fresh, virtue-based approach to life skills, as well as the Catholic vision of marriage and the beautiful and significant gift of sexuality.
- Discuss and Discover Stage: Through a variety of focused questions and activities, couples discuss their relationships, learn about themselves, and begin applying what they have learned.
- Plan and Build Stage: Couples recognize topics they may need to discuss at a later date, identify shared goals, and set a unified vision to build a joy-filled marriage. All this is captured in one wonderful keepsake, the Couple’s Journal.
This program will help participants:
- Appreciate what the Catholic Church teaches about marriage, and why
- Embrace the gift of grace that makes a lifelong, joy-filled marriage possible
- Explore important topics, identify shared goals, and set concrete plans to build a joy-filled marriage
At the end of the course, couples will receive a certificate with a serial number that they can forward or print for the parish records.
Couples should contact their parish to begin marriage preparation prior to taking this course.
Couples must register for the combined course.
Beloved: Finding Happiness in Marriage, Certification Course (Augustine Institute)
(This course requires pastor approval before you register.)
In 12 stunning sessions, BELOVED uncovers the mystery and the meaning of the sacrament of marriage. They have been carefully designed to help you as a couple to discover the key role you play in one of God’s most cherished institutions. You will explore the profound importance, meaning, purpose, and beauty of the Sacrament of Matrimony. Using the tools of Scripture and Church teaching, you and your future spouse will learn to craft a sturdy, Christ-centered relationship, designed to weather life’s storms and to draw each other deeper into God’s love.
Each session of the course will consist of a video followed by a series of questions for you to answer. Each video is around 30-40 minutes in length and the questions that follow will test your understanding of what you have learned. You will also have access to the Couple’s Preparation Guide that will also guide you through the session and provides additional materials such as prayer, and outline of the video, and discussion and reflection questions and a suggested activity for you and your fiancée. After you’ve completed all 12 sessions and quizzes, you will receive a certificate of completion as a parish record.
Beloved Bundle includes:
- The Mystery and Meaning in Marriage
Does Marriage Matter?
Entering the Story of Marriage
Love Revealed
The Total Gift of Self
A Sacramental Bond
Real Challenges, Real Love
- Living Marriage
Christ at the Center
A Deeper Unity
Conflict & Communication
Building a Thriving Marriage
Protecting the Bond
Sexuality & Authentic Love
Couples should contact their parish to begin marriage preparation prior to taking this course.
Beloved Bundle (English) Registration
Amado Bundle (Spanish) Registration
Fee: $59.90 (couple)