Translate
Marriage Preparation Events
Pre-Cana
-
Contact Us
-
Nicholas Petrillonpetrillodioceseoftrenton.orgAssociate Director of Marriage Ministries and NFP -
Belem Perezbperezdioceseoftrenton.orgBilingual Administrative Assistant of Evangelization & Family Life
-
-
Welcome!
"It is not good for man to be alone."
- Gen. 2: 18Congratulations on your engagement! We are excited for you and your spouse and look forward to accompanying you both on this journey, know of our prayers. To help you navigate the Marriage Prep Process we've compiled a Marriage Prep Checklist. If you are newly engaged and haven't contacted your parish, we encourage you to visit those links before continuing here. If you've already done that, you are ready to register for a Pre-Cana class!
What is Pre-Cana? Marriage is one of the seven Sacraments of the Church, and like most other Sacraments, some preparation is necessary so you can be aware of and fully utilize the gifts and graces God desires to give you! Marriage bestows sacramental grace upon the husband and wife to prepare them for their lives together, as each is responsible for leading their spouse (and future children) to heaven.
As you make arrangements for your wedding day, it is important to make preparations for the lifetime that follows as well. Pre-Cana invites you and your future spouse to dive into some important topics that you may face during your marriage. It was at Cana where Christ began His public ministry. On your wedding day, you will begin your life as a reflection of the Holy Trinity and the God's love in a profound way.
The Pre-Cana events listed on this page are open to all engaged couples marrying in the Catholic Church and are available on a first come - first served basis. Pre-Cana does not need to take place at the church where you are to be married. It may be possible to switch dates. Unless otherwise stated, Pre-Cana costs $180 per couple. To inquire about switching dates or receiving a refund, scroll down.
For couples in which both parties are marrying for the first time (no prior marriages), we offer parish Pre-Cana conferences or diocesan Pre-Cana conferences; while some conferences are completed in one day, others are offered in sessions over the course of a few days.
Participation in any of the Pre-Cana events listed on this page will fulfill the instructional session requirement for marriage preparation in the Diocese of Trenton.
Please Note: For couples in which one or both parties had a prior marriage, or couples married civilly two (or more) years who wish to bring their marriage into the Church, please contact us directly as there may be a marriage prep better suited to your needs.
2025 Events
January
January 24 & 25, 2025Time: Friday, 7:30 pm - 10:30 pm
Saturday 7:00 pm - 10:00February
February 14 & 15, 2025
Location: Co-Cathedral of St. Robert Bellarmine, Freehold
Time: Friday, 7:00 pm - 10:00 pm;
Saturday noon – 5:30 pm
(Mass included)February 28 & March 2, 2025
Location: St. Joan of Arc
Time: Friday, 6:30 pm - 10:00 pm;
Sunday 2:00 pm – 5:30 pmMarchMarch 1, 2025Time: Saturday 9:00 am - 6:00 pm
(Mass included)March 8, 2025Time: Saturday 10:00 am - 6:30 pm
(Mass included)April
April 5, 2025
Location: St. Benedict, Holmdel
Time: Saturday 8:00 am – 3:00 pm
(Mass included)April 5, 2025Location: Church of the Nativity, Fair HavenTime: Saturday, 9:00 am – 5:30 pm
(Mass included)April 5, 2025Time: Saturday, 9:00 am – 4:00 pmApril 12, 2025Time: Saturday, 8:30 am – 5:45 pm
(Mass included)
April 25 & 26, 2025Time: Friday, 7:30 pm - 10:30 pm
Saturday 7:00 pm - 10:00AugustAugust 2, 2025Location: St Theresa, Little Egg HarborTime: Saturday, 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
(Mass included)
August 16, 2025
Location: St Theresa, Little Egg Harbor
Time: Saturday, 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
(Mass included)SeptemberSeptember 26 & 27, 2025Time: Friday, 7:30 pm - 10:30 pm
Saturday 7:00 pm - 10:00OctoberOctober 3 & 5, 2025
Location: St. Joan of Arc
Time: Friday, 6:30 pm - 10:00 pm;
Sunday 2:00 pm – 5:30 pmOctober 11, 2025
Location: Sacred Heart, Riverton
Time: Saturday, 8:30 am – 5:45 pm
(Mass included)October 17 & 18, 2025
Location: Co-Cathedral of St. Robert Bellarmine, Freehold
Time: Friday, 7:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Saturday noon – 5:30 pm
(Mass included)October 18, 2025
Location: Church of the Nativity, Fair Haven
Time: Saturday, 9:00 am – 5:30 pm
(Mass included)October 25, 2025
Location: St. Mary of the Lakes, Medford
Time: Saturday, 9:00 am – 4:00 pmOctober 25, 2025
Location: St. Joseph, Toms River
Time: Saturday 9:00 am - 6:00 pm
(Mass included)
October 25, 2025
Location: St. Benedict, Holmdel
Time: Saturday 8:00 am – 3:00 pm
(Mass included)November
November 8, 2025
Location: St. Paul, Princeton
Time: Saturday 10:00 am - 6:30 pm
(Mass included)~ Attending the Pre-Cana Mass fulfills your Sunday obligation ~
-
What are couples saying about Pre-Cana?We've asked couples "If Pre-Cana were not a requirement for Marriage in the Catholic Church, would you recommend or encourage other couples to attend and participate?" Here are some of their responses.
"Absolutely!! When speaking about marriage from other couples, every couple said how much they enjoyed their Pre Cana and how much of an important and eye opening experience it really is. I'm so glad that it was a requirement, something that I was fully prepared to do regardless of the fact because I feel like I learned a lot."
- Samantha B.
"Yes, after attending it felt incredibly special and exciting part of planning for marriage."
- Kathleen V
"Yes! It was an amazing experience and very beneficial. It helps you and your future spouse open conversations that one might think are awkward or embarrassing to have."
- Anahi V.
"Absolutely! Engaged couples need to reach out beyond the boundaries of their respective families in order to see what other means of communication there are for newlyweds. Children learn what they live, and become adults that perpetuate cycles, until they are shown other paths (i.e., it is important to know that a groom-to-be does not have to emulate his father in all things or a bride-to-be does not have to emulate her mother)."
- James S.
"Absolutely, we prepare ourselves for university, work, sports and many other activities. What could be more significant than the sacrament of marriage, which shapes your interpersonal relationships and lays the foundation for family, the indispensable nucleus of our society."
- Joana M.
Not Catholic, don't worry, it can be beneficial for you too!
"As a non-Catholic I would absolutely recommend any couple, religious or not, to attend due to the overall emphasis on communication and how it benefits the marriage. While on break I even discussed with my future spouse how this would have been a solid foundation for my brother and sister in law who do not communicate well in their marriage."
- Karissa G.
"Yes, as a non-Catholic (Lutheran to be specific) it changed my understanding on the Catholic Church’s position on marriage in a positive way."
- Bryce A. -
Refunds and TransfersFor instructions on how to CANCEL your event and get your refund CLICK HERE.
For instructions on how to TRANSFER to a different Pre-Cana event CLICK HERE.
or contact Belem Perez, [email protected].
Refunds and transfers are no longer available once the event has started. -
-
