Pre-Cana

Program
Preparing for the Lifelong Commitment of Marriage
Presenter: JOSEPH DAM KIM HOAN OAD
1. Orientation and Introduction to Pre-Cana

Welcome Session Introduction to Marriage

Purpose and Structure Marriage as a Sacred Covenant
Spiritual Dimensions of Marriage
Topics to Cover
Reflection and Connection
 Biblical Vatican II
Foundations Perspective
2.
Foundations
of Marriage Components
Personal
Growth and
of Marriage
Community
Preparation
Impact
 • Biblical Insights

• Vatican II Perspective
3. Effective
Communication • Components of Effective
Communication

• Spiritual Dimension
 4. Prayer and Devotion

• BIBLICAL INSIGHTS • VATICAN II • COMPONENTS OF

PERSPECTIVE PRAYER AND
DEVOTION
5. Roles of Spouses and
Realistic Expectations
• Roles of Spouses
• Realistic Expectations
• Spiritual Dimension
6. Intimacy and Sexuality

• Biblical Insights

• Vatican II Perspective

• Exploring Intimacy and Sexuality

• Spiritual Dimension
7. Parenting Skills and
Extended Family

• Parenting Skills

• Role of Extended Family and

In-Laws

• Navigating Extended Family

Dynamics
8. Budgeting and
Financial
Planning
• Biblical Insights
• Vatican II Perspective
• Components of Financial Planning
• Spiritual Dimension
9. Practical Matters: Legal Requirements and Wedding Liturgy

• Legal • Wedding • Spiritual

Requirements Liturgy Dimension
10. Weekend Retreat: Deepening Bonds and Personal Reflection

• Weekend • Group Sessions • Personal • Spiritual

Retreat Overview Reflection Dimension
 Pre-Cana Program
Preparing for the Lifelong Commitment of Marriage
1. Orientation and Introduction

Welcome Session Purpose and Structure:

Prepare for the

Welcome to this Explore essential
lifelong commitment
sacred journey of topics, engage in
of marriage, mirroring
preparation for discussions, and foster
Christ’s love for His
marriage! connections.
Church.
Introduction to
Marriage

• Marriage as a Sacred Covenant

• Genesis 2:24: 'Therefore a man shall leave his
father and mother and be joined to his wife,
and they shall become one flesh.'
• Vatican II: Marriage is a 'partnership of the
whole of life' (GS 48). A vocation and calling
to holiness.
• CCC: Marriage is a sacrament, symbolizing
Christ’s love for His Church (CCC 1617).
 Prayer: Invite God into your
relationship. A threefold cord is not
easily broken (Ecclesiastes 4:12).

Spiritual
Dimensions Sacramental Grace: Trust in the
grace that transforms your love.

of Marriage
Community: Attend Mass together
and engage with fellow believers.
 Eros: Romantic love that draws
you together.

Topics to
Cover - Philia: Friendship—the
foundation of companionship.

Love Agape: Selfless love, willing the

good of the other. This mirrors
Christ’s sacrificial love.
 Topics to Cover - Faith
Faith: Your anchor during storms. Trust in God’s plan for your marriage.
Topics to Cover -
Mutual Respect
• Ephesians 5:21: Submit to one
another out of reverence for Christ.
• Honor each other’s dignity and
viewpoints.
Topics to Cover - Responsibilities

• Remember, you
• Household
• Communication • Finances are partners in
management
this journey.
 • Take time to reflect:
o What values do you bring into this
Reflection marriage?
o What expectations and concerns do
and you carry?
Connection • Engage in group discussions and activities.
Learn from one another. Build connections that
will strengthen your union.
 Closing
Remember, dear couples, you are not alone. God
walks with you.
May this Pre-Cana journey deepen your love and
prepare you for the beautiful sacrament ahead!
2. Foundations of
Marriage
 Introduction

CONTENT OVERVIEW OF THE SACRED AND PATH LEADING TO

JOURNEY TOWARD TRANSFORMATIVE WHOLENESS, LOVE,
MARRIAGE PROCESS AND COMMITMENT
 Content:

- Origin of Marriage
Biblical
Foundations - Genesis 1:27: Creation of
humanity in God's image

- Union of man and woman

reflecting divine intention
Love and
Companionship
• Content:
- John’s epistles: God is love (1John
4:8, 16)
- Marriage as a tangible expression
of divine love
 • Content:
- Genesis 2:18: God's design for
companionship
- “It is not good for the man to be
alone. I will make a helper
Divine Plan suitable for him.”
 Vatican II Perspective

Content:

- Sacrament of Marriage

- Marriage as a visible sign of grace

- Sanctifies love between spouses

 Thoughtful Preparation

CONTENT VATICAN II EMPHASIZES THE MARRIAGE IS NOT A CASUAL

IMPORTANCE OF DECISION
PREPARATION AND
DISCERNMENT
 Content:

Components of
- Pastoral Counseling
Marriage (Healing Dimension)
Preparation
- Understanding
individual and family
dynamics
 Pastoral Counseling Skills

Content: - Effective communication, - Practicum training for practical

empathy, and conflict resolution application
Spirituality (Growth
Dimension)
• Content:
- Scriptural-moral-doctrinal foundations of Christian
family life
- Growth programs focused on family spirituality
Spiritual Bond

• Content:
- Strengthening spiritual bond as a couple
- Marriage as a covenant before God
Personal Growth and
Community Impact

• Content:
- Audience: Lay workers, priests, ministers,
religious brothers and sisters
- Engaged in pastoral care for couples and families
Broader Audience

• Content:
- Religious and laypersons from various faith
traditions
- Seeking understanding for personal growth
Marriage Preparation as Kairos

- Providential - God’s call to

Content: time for engaged
discernment couples
Building Strong
Foundations

• Content:
- Rooted in love, faith, and mutual respect
- Aim to build strong foundations
Living Cells of the People of
God

• Content:
- Marriages radiating love, justice, freedom, and
peace
- Importance of strong marriages in the community
 Conclusion

CONTENT:

- RECAP OF THE BIBLICAL FOUNDATIONS, VATICAN II

PERSPECTIVE, AND COMPONENTS OF MARRIAGE
PREPARATION

- EMPHASIS ON PERSONAL GROWTH AND COMMUNITY

IMPACT
Reflection

- Personal - How can we

reflection support engaged
questions for the couples in our
audience community?
 - Practical ways to get
involved in marriage
preparation programs
Action Steps

- Resources and support

available for couples
Prayer

• Content:
- A prayer for engaged couples
- Seeking God's guidance and blessings
Content:

- Open floor for questions and answers

- Discussion and sharing experiences
3. Effective
Communication
in Marriage
Preparing for the Sacrament
of Marriage
Introduction
Effective communication lies at the
heart of any successful marriage. As
couples prepare for the sacrament of
Marriage, they must learn to
communicate openly, honestly, and
respectfully.
Biblical Insight:
Proverbs 15:1
Proverbs 15:1: 'A gentle answer
turns away wrath, but a harsh word
stirs up anger.' Choosing our words
wisely can defuse conflicts and
promote understanding in marriage.
Biblical Insight:
Ephesians 4:29
Ephesians 4:29: 'Let no corrupting talk come out of
your mouths, but only such as is good for building up,
as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those
who hear.' Our words should build up our spouse.
Vatican II
Perspective:
Gaudium et Spes
Vatican II emphasized dialogue and
communication within families.
Effective communication fosters
unity, understanding, and mutual
respect, impacting the entire
community.
Components of Effective
Communication
• Active Listening:
- Truly listen without interrupting.
- Validate emotions and show empathy.
• Respectful Expression:
- Choose words carefully.
- Use 'I' statements.
• Conflict Resolution:
- Learn healthy ways to resolve conflicts.
- Seek compromise and common ground.
Spiritual
Dimension:
Sacramental Grace
• Sacramental Grace:
- Effective communication
invites God’s presence.
- Pray together as a couple for
guidance.
 •Effective communication is
about understanding, empathy,
and love. Practice active
listening, choose kindness, and
Effective seek God’s grace. May your
communication reflect the love
Communication you share!
Summary
4. Prayer and
Devotion in
Marriage

Building a Strong Spiritual

Foundation
Introduction

Prayer and devotion are essential pillars of a

strong and lasting marriage. Engaged couples
preparing for Marriage must cultivate a deep
spiritual connection.
Biblical Insights - Joint Prayer

Matthew 18:20: 'For where two or three gather in my name, there am I

with them.' Couples who pray together invite God’s presence into their
relationship.

Regular joint prayer fosters intimacy, trust, and a sense of shared

purpose.
Biblical Insights - Personal Prayer

Individual
Luke 5:16:
prayer allows
Jesus often
spouses to seek
withdrew to
God’s
pray alone.
guidance,
Encourage
express
couples to
gratitude, and
maintain their
share their
personal prayer
innermost
life.
thoughts.
Vatican II
Perspective -
Sacramental Grace
• Vatican II emphasized marriage as a
sacrament—a visible sign of God’s
grace. When couples pray together,
they invite this grace into their
union.
• Prayer strengthens the spiritual bond
between spouses, allowing them to
love unconditionally and forgive
generously.
Components of Prayer and Devotion - Couple’s
Prayer Time

Assign couples specific prayer practices to do together regularly. Examples

include morning or evening prayers, the Rosary, or spontaneous prayers.

Create sacred moments where spouses connect with God as a team.

Components of
Prayer and Devotion
- Reflection Journals

• Encourage couples to keep

journals where they write about
their spiritual experiences,
insights, and challenges.
• Journaling fosters self-awareness
and provides a record of their
spiritual journey.
Components of Prayer
and Devotion - Faith
Conversations
• Facilitate discussions on faith-related
topics during Pre-Cana sessions.
• Explore questions like: How does faith
sustain a marriage? What role does
prayer play in resolving conflicts?
5. Roles of Spouses
and Realistic
Expectations

Preparing for the Sacrament of

Marriage
Roles of Spouses -
Mutual Respect
• Mutual respect is
• Ephesians 5:21:
essential in marriage,
'Submit to one another
honoring each other’s
out of reverence for
dignity, viewpoints,
Christ.'
and contributions.

• Wife’s role:
• Husband’s role:
Partnership, supporting
Sacrificial love as
her husband’s
Christ loved the Church
leadership with her
(Ephesians 5:25).
unique gifts.
Roles of Spouses -
Shared Responsibilities
• Genesis 2:18: God created Eve as a
'suitable helper' for Adam.
• Marriage involves shared responsibilities:
physical, emotional, and spiritual.
• Joint efforts in household chores,
parenting, financial management, and
decision-making.
Realistic
• Discuss family size,
Expectations - parenting, and fertility.
Family Planning
• Explore Natural Family
Planning (NFP) methods.

• Responsible parenthood
respects God’s plan (CCC
2368).
Realistic Expectations
- Finances
• Proverbs 22:7: 'The
borrower is slave to the
lender.'
• Set financial goals, budget
wisely, save, and avoid
excessive debt.
• Align financial values and
priorities.
 • Proverbs 31:27: The virtuous wife 'watches over the affairs of
Realistic Expectations - her household.
Household
• Both spouses contribute to meal planning, cleaning, organizing,
Management and maintaining a welcoming home.
Spiritual Dimension -
Sacramental Grace
• Marriage is a sacrament, a visible
sign of God’s grace.

• Involve God in decisions,

discussions, and daily life.

• Pray together as a couple, seeking

His guidance and strength.
Conclusion - Embrace
Roles and Expectations

• Embrace roles with love, respect, and shared

responsibilities.
• Set realistic expectations grounded in faith.
• May your union be a witness to God’s love
and grace.
Preparing for Marriage
Intimacy, Sexuality, Parenting Skills, and Extended Family
 • Genesis 2:24: 'Therefore a man
shall leave his father and mother
6. Intimacy and be joined to his wife, and they
and shall become one flesh.'
Sexuality -
Biblical
Insights • Song of Solomon: Celebrates
marital love, desire, and passion.
Intimacy and Sexuality - Vatican
II Perspective

• Gaudium et Spes: • Affirms sexual

Emphasizes the spiritual intimacy as a gift from
dimension of sexual love God to strengthen
within marriage. marital bonds.
 • Intimacy involves emotional
openness and vulnerability.
Exploring
Intimacy and
Sexuality - • Emotional intimacy fosters trust
and deepens marital connection.
Emotional
Vulnerability
Exploring Intimacy and
Sexuality - Nurturing Physical
Affection
• Holding hands, hugging, and kissing
express love.
• Physical affection communicates care,
reassurance, and desire.
Exploring Intimacy and
Sexuality - Cultivating
Sexual Intimacy

• Sexual intimacy reflects Christ’s

self-giving love.
• Explore the theology of the
marital embrace (CCC 2363).
Exploring Intimacy
and Sexuality -
Spiritual Dimension
• Prayer and Blessing: Pray
together and seek God’s
guidance in intimate
moments.
• Consider receiving a
marriage blessing.
7. Parenting Skills -
Understanding Child-
Rearing

• Discuss
• Proverbs effective
22:6: 'Train parenting
up a child in techniques:
the way he love,
should go...' discipline,
guidance.
Parenting Skills - Building a Loving Family
Environment
• Ephesians 6:4:
'Fathers, do not provoke
your children to anger...'

• Create a home filled

with love, respect, and
faith.
 Role of Extended Family and In-Laws -
Biblical Insights

• Ruth and Naomi: Demonstrates

loyalty and care (Ruth 1:16).

• Discuss honoring in-laws

with healthy boundaries.
 • Vatican II: Emphasizes
the family as the
'domestic church.'
Role of Extended
• Extended family
Family and In-Laws supports and enriches
- Vatican II marital relationships.
Perspective
Navigating Extended Family Dynamics
- Communication

• Effective communication with • Discuss expectations, traditions,

extended family is crucial. and challenges.
Navigating Extended Family Dynamics - Boundaries

• Balance loyalty
• Set healthy
to parents and in-
boundaries with
laws with marital
extended family.
priorities.
Conclusion - Embracing Love and Faith

Embrace love, wisdom, May your journey

and faith as you build a towards marriage be
strong foundation for blessed with harmony and
marriage. joy.
8. Budgeting and Financial Planning
Building a Strong Financial Foundation for Marriage
Introduction to
Financial Planning for
Marriage

Understanding budgeting, shared goals,

and responsible spending is essential for a
successful marriage.
Biblical Insights

Proverbs 21:5 and its Proverbs 21:5: 'The

relevance to plans of the diligent
responsible financial lead surely to
management abundance.'

Responsible financial Discuss how couples

management honors can be good stewards
God’s gifts. of their resources.
Vatican II Perspective
Summary of Gaudium et Spes on
responsible financial planning: Vatican
II emphasized the dignity of work and
economic activity.

Responsible financial planning

contributes to the common good.

Explore how financial decisions

impact the couple and their
community.
 Setting Financial Goals, Budgeting,
and Shared Goals: Discuss short-term
and long-term goals.

Components
of Financial Teach practical budgeting skills.

Planning
Explore shared financial aspirations.
Setting Financial
Goals
Examples include saving for emergencies,
homeownership, education, and retirement.
Budgetin
g
Teach practical budgeting
skills. Couples should track
income, expenses, and
savings.
Shared
Goals
Explore shared financial
aspirations and how to
achieve them together.
 Gratitude, Generosity, and the
spiritual aspect of financial
planning: Gratitude for God’s

Spiritual
blessings leads to generosity.

Dimension
Encourage couples to give back
through charitable giving.

Financial decisions impact the

couple and their ability to serve
others.
9. Practical Introduction to the Legal and
Liturgical aspects of Marriage:
Matters: Legal Marriage Licenses

Requirements
and Wedding Documentation

Liturgy
Examples from different
jurisdictions
Legal
Requirements
Marriage Licenses,
Documentation, and
examples from different
jurisdictions
Wedding
Liturgy
Overview of the Catholic
Wedding Ceremony
elements
Spiritual
Dimension
Significance of Sacramental
Grace in the wedding liturgy
10. Weekend
Retreat:
Deepening Bonds
and Personal
Reflection

A retreat for engaged couples to

strengthen their relationship and
seek God’s guidance.
Retreat Overview - Purpose

1 2 3
Reflect on their love Strengthen their Seek God’s wisdom
journey. commitment. for their marriage.
Retreat Overview - Format

• Group Sessions: Engage in workshops, • Personal Reflection Time: Allocate moments for
discussions, and activities with other couples. individual contemplation.
Group Sessions - Deepening
Bonds

Icebreakers: Foster Communication Skills:

connections among Explore active listening,
couples. Share stories, conflict resolution, and
hopes, and dreams. empathy.

Spiritual Practices: Pray

together, read Scripture,
and discuss faith.
Group Sessions - Marriage
Preparation
• Legal Aspects: Briefly cover
marriage licenses and
documentation.
• Wedding Liturgy: Discuss the
Catholic wedding ceremony,
including vows, blessings, and
rituals.
Personal Reflection -
Commitment Contemplation

• Questions to Ponder:
• Journaling: Encourage
• Quiet Time: Provide • What does marriage mean to
couples to write about
moments for individual you?
their commitment to
reflection.
each other.

- How can you honor - What sacrifices are

your commitment you willing to make for
daily? love?
Spiritual
Dimension - Prayer
and Blessing
• Begin and end each day with
prayer.
• Seek God’s guidance for your
journey together.
Conclusion

May this weekend retreat be a transformative experience

for engaged couples—a time to deepen their bonds,
reflect on their commitment, and invite God into their
love story.
 • Addressing Questions and

Q&A Concerns

Session • Open Discussion

Final Blessing and Dismissal

• FINAL BLESSING • DISMISSAL AND

BEST WISHES