How do you go about setting up premarital counseling?

Question

I want to follow that catholic tradition and do a premarital education session...but we can't go to the Catholic church to do it (he was previously married).

So how do we go about setting it up? Do I just do a search on the internet and call the office closest to our house? Is there some sort of referral service? Should I check with my family doctor? Does my insurance cover it? Better yet...is there a website or something where I can get more information? I'm so clueless about this! Thanks!

Answer 1

i wouldn't rule out going through the catholic church. my husband is catholic and i am not, we were both previously married. because was not married within the catholic church, he was able to fill out a simple one page form with a few questions. apparently, according to two priests and a nun we spoke with, his marriage was not recognized by the catholic church because he was catholic and not married within the church. my marriage WAS recognized by the catholic church, even though i was not married in ANY church and i am not catholic. yes, i know, it sounds ridiculous, but that is what the diocese told us. bare with me here. lol you don't say, is your fiance catholic as well?

the priest at the church in our town was more than willing to go through counseling with us (for a 'donation').through this church, the counseling were several sessions nine months prior to the wedding day. because i am not catholic i had pages and pages of forms to fill out to be sent out in an attempt to have my previous marriage annulled by the catholic church, even though i was never married in a church.

anyway...i doubt your insurace will cover it. if you find your church cannot provide adequate counseling, check with other churches in your area, not necessarily a catholic church. i didn't do an internet search before answering this, but you can probably find something on there for your area.

i would like to commend you for taking the iniative to get some premarital couseling! good luck with finding a counselor and your upcoming marriage!! :)

Answer 2

Not sure where you're located, or if it's easily accessible, but any Seminary School will do it, and you don't have to go through any of the paper work as it is a school and not exactly recognized by the church (though it's EXACTLY the same guidelines and coursework).  

They will also ask you to give however much money you can afford to donate to the school, but outside of that, it's completely free!

Hope that helps.. Good luck and congratulations!! :)

Answer 3

I would Call the Church. even if they will not do it they may refere you to someone who can...

My pastor who is performing our service is doing our counsling and we are not Catholic and neither is he.  

Answer 4

don't rule out the church, call and ask if they will do it. call around and ask a couple of churches. if they wont do it call your doctor and ask for a refural.

good luck