The place to begin your marriage preparation is at your own parish – the parish where you are registered, or in whose geographic boundary you reside. If you’re not sure which parish that is, please refer to this list of all the parishes in the Diocese of Joliet.

Start by contacting the parish office expressing your desire to marry. They will invite you to come in to meet with them and to get the process started.

Please remember, there is a preparation period of a minimum of six months, so contact the parish as soon as you can.

At some point, you will be asked to fill out a pre-nuptial questionnaire, which will establish the basic facts about your membership in the Catholic Church, and any marital history you may have. The priest or pastoral minister at the parish will also tell you what the marriage preparation requirements are at that parish.

For more detailed information on planning your wedding, please review GETTING MARRIED IN THE DIOCESE OF JOLIET.

If you have any questions at any point, please feel free to contact Dr. James Healy at the Center for Family Ministry (815-838-5334). Welcome again, and may God bless your plans and your lives together!