Pre-Cana
{{Short description|Course for Catholic adults preparing for marriage}}
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Pre-Cana is a course or consultation for couples preparing to be married in a Catholic church. The name is derived from John 2:1–12, the Wedding at Cana in Galilee, where Jesus performed the miracle of turning water into wine.
Description
Approaches to Pre-Cana vary among Catholic dioceses and parishes. Often six-month sessions are led by a priest or deacon with support from a married Catholic couple.
Online programs have emerged as an alternative to gathered events as parishes and dioceses cope with fewer resources, geographically expanding congregations and deployed military couples.{{cn|date=November 2023}}
The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops considers the following topics as "must-have conversations"{{cite web|url=http://foryourmarriage.org/dating-engaged/must-have-conversations/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100405013001/http://foryourmarriage.org/dating-engaged/must-have-conversations/|url-status=dead|archive-date=April 5, 2010|title=For Your Marriage Web Site|publisher=United States Conference of Catholic Bishops}} before couples marry:
- Spirituality/faith
- Conflict resolution skills
- Careers
- Finances
- Intimacy/cohabitation
- Children
- Commitment
Other topics that may be covered by Pre-Cana include:
- Ceremony planning
- Family of origin{{cite web|title=For Your Marriage Web Site – Family of Origin|url=http://foryourmarriage.org/dating-engaged/marriage-readiness/family-of-origin/|publisher=United States Conference of Catholic Bishops}}
- Communication
- Marriage as a sacrament
- Sexuality
- Theology of the Body
- Couple prayer
- Unique challenges of military couples
- Stepfamilies
- Children of divorce
See also
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References
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Category:Marriage in the Catholic Church
Category:Weddings in Christianity
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