Newsletter

A Renewed Vision for Marriage Formation in the Church

Written by Witness to Love | Apr 24, 2026 5:36:00 PM

We are filled with gratitude following this year’s Marriage Catechumenate Summit, where leaders from across North America came together with a shared desire to strengthen marriage and family life in the Church.

There was a clear sense that the Lord is inviting us into something deeper, a renewed vision of marriage formation rooted not just in preparation, but in accompaniment, mentorship, and authentic community.

Again and again, we heard that marriage is the primary place where faith is lived and passed on. Because of that, how we form couples matters deeply, not only for their vocation, but for the future of the Church.

At Witness to Love, we are grateful to walk alongside you, engaged couples, mentors, clergy, and supporters, as we continue building strong marriages, strong families, and a strong Church.

 

In the News

Marriage Catechumenate Summit stresses role of discipleship in forming new marriages

A major article from the summit highlights a shift in how the Church approaches marriage, moving beyond short-term preparation and into a deeper model of discipleship.

Leaders emphasized the need for formation that invites couples into ongoing relationships, mentorship, and community, helping them grow in faith and live out their vocation more fully.

Because marriage is one of the primary places where faith is lived and passed on, how couples are formed today has a lasting impact on the future of the Church.

Read the full article to see how this vision is shaping the future of marriage formation.

 

 

From the Summit

Letter from Cardinal Farrell to Summit Participants

We are grateful to share a portion of a message we received from Cardinal Kevin Farrell, written to those gathered for the 2026 Marriage Catechumenate Summit. It is a gift to receive such encouragement from the wider Church, and we offer it here not as something reserved for a few, but as a word for all who are living, supporting, and serving the vocation of marriage. In his letter, Cardinal Farrell reminds us that “marriage is a vocation…[that] can only arise from a personal encounter with Christ,” and that faith itself “touches the heart and the whole person.” These words speak to each of us: couples, mentors, clergy, and families, that the strength of marriage is not found in ideas alone, but in a living relationship with Christ, shared within a community that walks together. He points to the quiet but powerful role of witness, of couples accompanying couples, and the need to rediscover the “we” of faith, where no one walks alone.

This vision is at the heart of what we are trying to live through Witness to Love, not as a program, but as a way of accompanying one another in the real circumstances of life and marriage. We hope his message encourages you, wherever you are in your own vocation, to continue taking one step forward, together.

 

Moving forward together

We are so thankful to be part of this mission with you.

Together, we continue to say yes to a vision of marriage that is deeper, stronger, and rooted in Christ. Please keep all the couples journeying together through Witness to Love in your prayers.

In Christ,

 

About Witness to Love

Witness to Love is committed to empowering couples with the tools and resources needed to build strong, lasting marriages that thrive in a modern world. Through our marriage prep courses and innovative hybrid marriage prep experience, we guide couples in developing meaningful connections built on love, respect, and faith.

Each course provides an engaging blend of digital resources and hands-on activities designed to deepen emotional, spiritual, and relational foundations. Discover how our unique approach to marriage preparation can help you create a resilient and fulfilling partnership that lasts a lifetime.