It's not a retreat, marriage clinic, group sensitivity, or a substitute for counseling. It's a unique approach aimed at revitalizing Marriage. This is a time for you and your spouse to be alone together, to rediscover each other and together focus on your relationship for an entire weekend. Every marriage deserves that kind of attention!

Any married couple who desires a richer, fuller life together. A marriage can never be too good. Marriage Encounter is designed to deepen and enrich the joys a couple share together, whether they have been married for only a short time, or for many years. Priests and other religious are also welcome and encouraged to attend!

A series of presentations are given by a team of married couples and a religious in the particular faith expression (priest or minister). Each presentation allows you and your spouse a rare opportunity to look at yourselves as individuals, then to look at your marriage and relationship to one another, and finally to look at your relationship to God and to the world. The weekend starts at 8:00 on Friday night and runs until about 5:00 on Sunday afternoon. Five meals are provided (Saturday; breakfast, lunch & dinner and Sunday breakfast & lunch).

YES! The weekend is oriented strictly to each individual couple. You concentrate on your spouse to such an extent that you are hardly aware of the other couples present. The presentations are given to the group as a whole. After each presentation, the husband and wife have time in the privacy of their room for their own personal discussion.

The encounter weekend teaches a communication technique which permits each couple to explore important areas of their relationship in a spirit of love and understanding. By continuing the newly-acquired technique begun on the weekend, husbands and wives continually grow closer together to live more joyful and purposeful lives.

Is there a specific religious orientation to the weekend?

Marriage Encounter does present God as a focus for successful marriages.  There are many faith expressions of Marriage Encounter Weekends - Catholic, as well as several Protestant denominations.  While the Weekend may be presented in a given Faith expression, each is open to couples from other orientations.  Religious doctrine is not preached.  Each couple is asked to apply what they hear to their own faith expression.

Our marriage is under stress, and we're considering separation or divorce.  Is Marriage Encounter for us?

No.  Marriage Encounter is for couples experiencing the usual ups and downs of married life, not situations that threaten your relationship.  You should contact an organization like Retrouvaille (see other resources).  If you are unsure whether a Marriage Encounter Weekend is appropriate for your situation, contact us and we can help you discern which program would be right for you.

What is the timing and the mechanics of the weekend?

The Weekend starts at 8 P.M. but we request that you arrive by 7 p.m.  The room and meals for Saturday and breakfast and lunch on Sunday are all part of the Weekend.  Please register at the Marriage Encounter sign in desk, not the main hotel registration.

The Weekend ends between 5 p.m. and 6 p.m. on Sunday.

How much does the Weekend cost?

The only cost that must be paid is the $45 registration fee.  On the weekend, you will be asked to make a free will donation.  This donation will cover the expenses of lodging, food, and materials for the Weekend.  The expenses vary somewhat depending on the specific location.   Marriage Encounter turns no couples away from the Weekend because of financial need.  Please do not let cost be a consideration for your going on a Weekend.  God has provided for over 35 years to assure that there are funds to put on Weekends.