Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ loved the church and handed himself over for her to sanctify her, cleansing her by the bath of water with the word. (Ephesians 5:25-26)
In St. Paul's Letter to the Ephesians, he speaks of the love that unites a couple in the sacrament of Marriage as reflecting the love that unites Christ to us, the Church. The Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches that the sacrament of Marriage "gives spouses the grace to love each other with the love with which Christ has loved his Church; the grace of the sacrament thus perfects the human love of the spouses, strengthens their indissoluble unity, and sanctifies them on the way to eternal life (CCC 1661)." It is only fitting that, since marriage publicly establishes a couple in their life in the Church, that the sacrament be celebrated in a public Church liturgy.
If you are already married, consider participating in a Marriage Encounter weekend for a chance to look deeply into your relationship with each other and with God. To learn more, visit the Marriage Encounter page.
Sacramental Preparation
Couples planning to be married at SS. Peter & Paul must FIRST contact the parish office and arrange to meet the pastor, and then receive some form of marriage preparation approved by the Diocese of Sacramento. Approved marriage preparation programs include:
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Engaged Encounter - Pre-Cana Marriage Preparation Conference
- Marriage Preparation Sessions
Engaged Encounter offers a weekend marriage preparation program at Christ the King Retreat Center in Citrus Heights. To learn more, visit the Engaged Encounter page.
Pre-Cana Marriage Preparation Conference
The Diocese of Sacramento offers a Pre-Cana Marriage Preparation Conference at the Diocese of Sacramento Pastoral Center in downtown Sacramento. To learn more, visit the Diocese of Sacramento website.
Marriage Preparation Sessions
SS. Peter & Paul offers a marriage preparation program that meets over four, consecutive Friday evenings from 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM. There are typically two sessions each year: one in the Fall and one in the Spring. There is no charge for the program, which is facilitated by married couples.
To learn more about preparation to receive the sacrament of Marriage, or to schedule a meeting with our pastor, Contact Us or submit the following. Generally six (6) months advance notice is required.
