"And the two shall become one flesh"
(Mt 19:5)
Marriage is a natural institution established by God the Creator. It is a permanent, faithful, fruitful partnership between one man and one woman, established by their free mutual consent.
Entering the Sacrament of Matrimony
Congratulations on your engagement! Here is what you need to do to enter the sacrament of matrimony in the Catholic Church:
Step 1: Make an appointment with your parish priest, deacon, or pastoral minister. Your parish is always the first stop in marriage preparation. Be sure to complete your marriage preparation 6-12 months before the wedding.
Step 2: Prepare! PreCana programs in the Catholic Church explain what you need to know about the sacrament of marriage before the wedding. During the marriage preparation sessions you will learn about communication skills, finances, sexuality, Natural Family Planning, spirituality, becoming a “domestic church,” and many other helpful and important topics. PreCana Presenters are professionals in their field as well as married couples themselves with lots of hard-won practical wisdom.
Finding Happiness in Your Marriage
Is marriage worth it? Yes—absolutely, yes.
The desire for a unique, total, lasting union is a desire in every human heart. That desire is best exercised in the Sacrament of Marriage. Watch the first installment in the Augustine Institute's Marriage video series and learn more about the beauty of marriage.
Prayer for Married Couples
From the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops
Almighty and eternal God,
You blessed the union of married couples
so that they might reflect the union of Christ with his Church:
look with kindness on them.
Renew their marriage covenant,
increase your love in them,
and strengthen their bond of peace
so that, with their children,
they may always rejoice in the gift of
your blessing.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
Amen.
Prayer of a Married Couple on their Anniversary
From the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops
We praise you, O God, we bless you, Creator of all things, who in the beginning made man and woman that they might form a communion of life and love. We also give you thanks for graciously blessing our family life so that it might present an image of Christ’s union with the Church. Therefore look with kindness upon us today, and as you have sustained our communion amid joys and struggles, renew our Marriage covenant each day, increase our charity, and strengthen in us the bond of peace, so that we may for ever enjoy your blessing. Through Christ our Lord
Golden Wedding Anniversary Masses
The Diocese of Rockville Centre would like to honor those couples who celebrate Fifty Years of Marriage in 2027 by inviting them to attend one of the Masses below for a special blessing.
Golden Wedding Anniversary Waitlist
Events
Golden Wedding Anniversary Mass - Patchogue Photos
On Sunday, April 19, 2026, we celebrated the Golden Wedding 50th Anniversary at the Church of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, Patchogue, with the Most Reverend Robert J. Coyle as the celebrant.
Golden Wedding Anniversary Mass - Rockville Centre Photos
On Sunday, April 26, 2026, we celebrated the Golden Wedding 50th Anniversary at The Cathedral of St. Agnes, Rockville Centre, with the Most Reverend Andrzej Zglejszewski as the celebrant.
Marriage Resources
Further Resources for Married Couples and those who Volunteer in Marriage Ministries
FOCCUS Facilitator Training
Become a FOCCUS Facilitator and help couples prepare for marriage.
'Marriage: Love and Life in the Divine Plan'
The U.S.C.C.B.'s 2009 pastoral letter on the sacrament of marriage.
Long Island Catholic Engaged Encounter
Serving engaged Catholic couples that needs to complete a Pre-Cana programs.
For Your Marriage (USCCB Resource)
An initiative of the USCCB to help married couples.
Por Tu Matrimonio (USCCB Resource)
Una iniciativa de la USCCB para ayudar a las parejas casadas.
Date Ideas for Married Couples
Date ideas for married couples, including no-cost dates, cheap dates, and more.
REFOCCUS
REFOCCUS© Marriage Enrichment Inventory is a packet of five questionnaires that a married couple can use to help spouses deepen and refocus their marriage.
Gianna Center of Long Island
Specialized Care for Women's Health Needs
Marriage Encounter
Dedicated weekends for married Christian couples who value their relationship and desire a richer, fuller life together.
For your Marriage - Help for Men and Women Struggling with Pornography Use
Video Resources
Sacrament of Marriage – Bishop Barron
Word on Fire
Marriage as a hint, sign, echo of Christ’s love for the Church. Married couples do not so much receive a sacrament as much as they become a sacrament.
Marriage
Aquinas 101
A walk through the Summa Theologiae: Marriage Supplement QQ. 41-48 Natural Phenomena – man and woman are inclined naturally towards marriage. A rational movement toward a good that man and woman bring about through deliberation and consent.
Marriage
Catholic Central
Through this vocation, the couples are a sign of God’s love. This sacrament is a representation of Christ’s love through the Church
Love is an Ability – Fr. Mike Schmitz
Ascension Presents
You are made for Love but it isn’t something we all know how to do. We need to learn: How to love, What to Love, the Right way to Love. We define love as Choosing the Good of the other, but how do we work on this ability?
Is marriage worth it? Yes—absolutely, yes.
FORMED
Finding Happiness in Your Marriage is Not Only Attainable, but Doable.
The desire for a unique, total, lasting union is a desire in every human heart. That desire is best exercised in the Sacrament of Marriage. Watch the first installment in the Augustine Institute's Marriage video series and learn more about the beauty of marriage.
What it Means to Submit to Your Husband?
Ascension Presents
Reflection on Ephesians 5:21-33 A reflection on this scripture passage. This reading highlights the importance of how a husband’s love for his wife should reflect how Christ loves all of us. Wives are also being called to ministerial service with their husbands.
Health and Fertility Resources for Women and Their Families
The Gianna Center for Women's Health
Specialized Care for Women's Health Needs
The Gianna Center for Women’s Health & Fertility treats the full spectrum of women’s health care needs—from women’s health disorders to advanced gynecological care to reproductive medicine—for all stages of life.
Natural Family Planning (NFP)
Promote or Postpone Pregnancy Naturally
What exactly is Natural Family Planning? Why does the Catholic Church prefer natural ways to promote or postpone pregnancy? Only NFP preserves the truth and beauty of married sexuality: a union that is full, free, faithful, and fruitful.