Pre-Cana
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 feast 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.
The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops considers the following topics as "must-have conversations"[1] 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[2]
- Communication
- Marriage as a sacrament
- Sexuality
- Theology of the Body
- Couple prayer
- Unique challenges of military couples
- Stepfamilies
- Children of divorce