FAMILY AND PERSONAL PREPARATIONS

Prepared by: Hope Bicierro & Clarisse Duran

WHY TEACH ABOUT PREPARATION FOR MARRIAGE?

A. BECAUSE OF THE NATURE OF MARRIAGE

B. BECAUSE OF THE PERMANENCE OF THE MARRIAGE BOND

C. TO AVOID THE EVIL OF DIVORCE

D. BECAUSE LOVE IS BINDING

E. BECAUSE THERE ARE MANY FALSE IDEAS ABOUT MARRIAGE

PERSONAL PREPARATION

needed by the couple as they look forward to a life together

starts from the moment they consider themselves

as engaged

time to make a last examination of their relationship

SPIRITUAL PREPARATION

Gifts of living His life and love Having Christ is having everything they would need

Participating in Holy Mass together,

holy retreat, pre-Cana conference, pre-nuptial seminars

The Lord must be first in the Christian's life.

PSYCHOLOGICAL PREPARATION

preparing themselves mentally, emotionally and spiritually for the everydayness of marriage and unexpected occurrences

honesty,openness to each other and to be true

to their own selves

1. The higher the educational level, the greater the chance for success in marriage. 2. A study of 60 teenage brides in Iowa showed that 55 percent regretted marrying before completing high school. 3. One study of marriages in a high school showed that among 240 married couples (Where one or both had dropped out of school) only sixteen couples were still living together after five years. 4. One sociologist reports that "the divorce rate for those who marry in their teens is six times as high as that in any other group."

5. Reasons why teenagers are too young to marry: a. Marriage is serious business and there is much more to being serious than simply to wish or desire. b. Teenagers have not yet really learned to live themselves. c. Teenagers cannot promise to be steadfast, true and constant to another human being because they are not really in a position to keep that promise d. Persons mature physically before they mature in character. e. Ten years later, the teenager will not be at all the same kind of person he or she is now.

EMOTIONAL PREPARATION
Adams' (Making Your Marriage Succeed, pp. 33,34) suggests the following tests for genuine emotional maturity: a. carry a reasonable load of emotional tension without blowing up b. have outgrown childish and foolish fears and anxieties c. learn to expect to be treated as a responsible partner in marriage d. emotionally independent of your parents and able to stand on your own feet and make your own decisions in life

ECONOMIC PREPARATIONS

couple should begin their married life living on their own

couple should plan things together

discuss and settle material and financial aspects

PHYSICAL PREPARATION

assuring that both couple is physically healthy medical check-up is recommended

A strong, healthy body is a wonderful asset to a happy marriage. Illness and physical weakness often put severe strains on marriage. Avoid habits such as smoking, drinking, and any others that are harmful to the body.

True love embraces not only the good, the joyful and the happy times shared but also the sad, the not-so good and the unhappy situations in married life.