This document provides an introduction to a Pre-Cana seminar on marriage. It discusses how marriage is a sacrament in the Catholic faith and how the success of marriages influences the whole Church. It emphasizes that marriage preparation is the responsibility of both clergy and laity. The document then discusses leveling expectations and what participants know about marriage from their upbringings. It defines marriage as a vocation from God to bring new life into the world and provide companionship. The document also discusses different stages of love in marriage, from the honeymoon phase to adjustment, disillusionment, and mature love.

1. PRE-CANA SEMINAR
Berdon P
. Manlutac & Susan V. Allam-Manlutac
Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish Church
Diocese of Imus

2. INTRODUCTION TO
MARRIAGE
Part One

3. Marriage and the Church
• God has revealed the special role that marriage has in the
divine plan.
• Jesus raised marriage to the dignity of the sacrament as a
sign and reflection of His undying love and unbreakable
vision with His Church.
• Cf. Eph.5: 21-33
• Col. 3:18-19

4. • The great beauty and holiness of a Catholic marriage goes
beyond the celebration of the wedding day.
• Grace-filled Christian married life is the principal way in
which a couple grows in holiness.
• The success or failure of one marriage causes joy or suffering
for all the people of God.

5. • Because of marriage’s far-reaching influence, we believe that
the preparation of engaged couples for marriage, or Pre-
Cana, is and should be the responsibility of the whole
Church—clergy and laity!

6. Leveling of Expectations or
Training for Marriage
• Is there school for marriage? (None!)
• What do you know about marriage?
• Where did you get the idea?
• What do you think about the marriages you see around
you?

7. What is Marriage?
• Marriage is a vocation.
• It is a call from God. As we respond to this call, we receive the
Sacrament of Matrimony.
• Marriage is a share in God’s creative purpose of bringing
new life into the world.
• “Be fruitful, multiply, fill the Earth and subdue it.” —Genesis 1:28.
• We become co-creators with God.

8. • Genesis also reveals the other major purpose of marriage:
companionship between friends who share the same life
and love.
• “That is why a man leaves his father and mother, and united with his
wife, they become one.” —Genesis 2:24.

9. • The New Testament reveals important insights into the
nature of marriage.
• Jesus’ attendance at the wedding feast of Cana underscores
the goodness and naturalness of marriage.
• Cf. John 2:1-12

10. • Jesus re-affirms the intention of the Father that marriage
should be permanent and an exclusive love relationship.
• “Every one who divorce his wife and marries another is guilty of
adultery, and the man who marries a woman divorced by her
husband commits adultery.” —Luke 16:18.

11. KNOWING ME, KNOWING
YOU
Part Two

12. 1. Ask participant couples to face each other. How well do
you know each other?
It’s hard to know each other fully unless we know
ourselves very well. We need to know ourselves individually.
2. Let us start understanding that there are four Natures of
Man.
SPIRITUAL — relationship with God expressed through
our relationships with other people.
MENTAL — knowledge, mental wealth not only in
education but also experiences.

13. EMOTIONAL — self-expression, feelings, emotions
PHYSICAL — the physical body is the temple of the Holy
Spirit
On a scale of 1-10, rate yourself and plot
on the square with broken lines.
1 10
10

14. • Why are these things important to
you?
• How would you feel if there are
certain events in your life that need
you to let go of these things?
• Where is your center? Is it in the
periphery?
• To end this session, please listen
and reflect as I read Genesis 1:26-
27.
I AM
TRUE,
GOOD,
BEAUTIFU
L
FAMILY
MONEY

15. STAGES/CYCLE OF LOVE (MARRIAGE)
•1.Honeymoon
Stage/Romance- pulot
gata described as an
sweet and comfortable
relationship.
•2. Adjustment Stage-
pakikibagay. Thisi is
described as a new
discovery side by side
with this you make
adjustment coupled
with acceptance.

16. •3.Disillusionment
Stage- Pagkasira ng
loob. This is described
as a problematic stage;
the direct opposite of
the honeymoon period
•4. Mature Love or Joy
Stage- This period is
described as an
awareness of reality. A
“new” love has been
existing.