Marriage Catechumenate Rite of Entry

“At the end of the reception phase, when the decision to enter the catechumenal journey has matured, the couple may enter the first stage of formation for marriage (proximate preparation). This passage can be expressed with a rite of entry into the actual catechumenate. The ritual should employ a simple format so as to avoid making it seem in any way to be a ‘marriage rite’, and may include the presentation of the couples to the community during the Sunday celebration, with a short introduction, a prayer suitable for the purpose, and a concrete gesture, e.g. the handing over of the bible. It should be made clear to the community that the couples are entering into the catechumenal journey, as a period of discernment regarding their choice to marry.”
 – Catechumenal Pathways for Married Life, 47

The Rite of Entry into the Marriage Catechumenate should take place at the end of the intermediate phase, which corresponds with the beginning period of engagement. Once the couple has been welcomed and received into the process and it has been determined that they are free to enter into marriage, arrangements could be made to celebrate this rite.

The following practices are recommended for this rite:

• Ideally, this rite should be celebrated during a Sunday Mass (after the homily) in order to present the couple to the parish community. If one or both of the parties does not reside where the wedding will take place, it may be fitting for this rite to take place in the parish where they live. This rite provides the parish community with awareness of the couple’s engagement, the opportunity to welcome and congratulate them, and the invitation for parishioners to pray for, support, and encourage them along the journey. That said, this rite should be approached carefully so pressure is not put on the couple which might impede their freedom. If it is deemed “more appropriate to avoid a ‘public’ and community ritual, couples may be invited to a more intimate moment of prayer, which could take place among the group of new catechumens, together with the accompanying team” (CPML, 47).
• The rite should incorporate handing on gifts from the parish, which could include: a Bible, a Couple’s Prayer, and/or a Crucifix. These provide tangible means to remind the couple to keep their relationship centered on Christ. They should be encouraged to read and meditate on Scripture regularly, invited to pray the Couple’s Prayer together regularly throughout their journey of formation, and challenged to embrace the crucifix as a sign of Christ’s self-giving love which they are called to imitate.
• The rite should be adapted with pastoral sensitivity when a Catholic intends to marry a non-baptized person. For example, the text and the gifts could be modified accordingly.

Below is the text to use (and adapt as needed) for the Rite of Entry, along with the Engaged Couple's Prayer that can be printed as a prayer card to use as a gift.