78 The Art of Accompaniment
Spirit wants to make us come out of ourselves, to embrace others
with love and to seek their good. That is why it is always better to
live the faith together and to show our love by living in commu-
nity... The Church offers many different possibilities for living our
faith in community, for everything is easier when we do it together.
(Christus Vivit, 164)
Marriage Preparation
Marriage preparation is an important life transition where spiritual ac-
companiment is especially fruitful. It is the moment when two people have
discovered their vocation in Christ. Marriage preparation must be rever-
enced and treated as a means for helping the larger Church grow in holi-
ness through the witness and life of the couple. Parishes must accompany
engaged couples so that they may find spiritual support in their community
of faith.
The initial experience
Couples can have a spectrum of experiences when seeking marriage
preparation in the parish. While some initial meetings are positive and par-
ishes are welcoming towards a couple in their preparation for marriage, oth-
er couples can experience difficulties in their marriage preparation process.
These initial meetings may affect not only the couple’s further involvement
in the parish and Church, but also their faith and view of God overall.
Parish staff members who prioritize accompaniment ensure to commu-
nicate clearly and compassionately, consider pastoral accommodations for
the couple where appropriate, avoid placing unnecessary administrative and
financial burdens on the couple, witness to the merciful love of God in all
their interactions during all parts of the preparation process, make every ef-
fort to welcome the couple into the parish community, and invite newlywed
couples to participate in ongoing formation.
The couple’s self-accompaniment
In marriage preparation, couples should discuss how they will plan to
accompany one another in faith during their marriage. Because marriage
is a vocation, its purpose is to help the couple grow in deeper holiness. Ev-
ery marriage preparation program should incorporate substantial discussion