Congratulations! The Church joyfully anticipates the opportunity to celebrate with you this life-changing Sacrament that, as St. Paul tells us, is the image of Christ's love for His Church!
The Archdiocese of New Orleans recognizes the vital role the parish community plays in the life of each couple both before and after their wedding. It is God who joins man and woman in marriage and sustains them in love and it is in the the parish community that we encounter Him most fully.
Your first step is to contact your parish priest or deacon at least 6 to 8 months before the wedding to work out a plan to prepare for your marriage in the Church. Your parish priest or deacon will know which resources are avialble to you and will recommend the best possible marriage preparation given your particular circumstances. Check out the "Getting Married in the Church" page of the Office of Marriage and Family Life for more details about what the preparation process might look like for you. If you are working with a priest or deacon from outside the Archdiocese, he can email or call the Office of Marriage and Family Life at 504-861-6243 for information and guidance.
The Family Life Apostolate is pleased to provide fantastic resources for a number of methods of Natural Family Planning: Northwest, Creighton and Couple to Couple League. If you would like to learn one of these methods or have any questions regarding Natural Family Planning (NFP) please call the Family Life Apostolate at 504-861-6243.