Frequently Asked Questions

What happens on a Weekend?

Marriage Encounter Weekends are a special time for a married couple away from all distractions: work, kids, bills, and other pressures and concerns. When was the last time you had a weekend like that? It takes place at a local hotel or facility where presentations are given in the conference room and couples reside at the hotel/facility for the entire weekend.*

A series of presentations made by the Presenting Team, consisting of 3 married couples and 1 priest. Each presentation builds on the last as we examine ourselves, our behaviors and attitudes, our relationship with our spouse and God. Communication tools are taught on the weekend helping couples connect in healthy, constructive ways on areas that can deepen their intimacy and connectedness.

Marriage Encounter Weekends have been given in the US since 1967. Decades of research, planning and tried and true wisdom have gone into the content of the Weekend and how it unfolds for couples and religious. We ask all participants to attend ALL talks and participate intently using the tools with their Spouse in order to maximize their experience.

All sharing between spouses is PRIVATE, and this is NOT a weekend to solve problems! This Weekend will help couples in good marriages communicate even better.

*In some areas "Non-residential" Weekends (held Saturday and Sunday only), are available where participants return to their homes Saturday evening and resume the program early Sunday morning. Please contact your local Scheduling Couple for more information.

My Spouse does not attend Church (or is not Catholic), can we still get anything out of a Weekend?

In short, YES! Weekends are for husband and wife couples of all denominations and mixed faiths. Among the diverse couples attending we've had a variety of Protestant faiths, Christian, Jewish, Buddhist, Muslim and no faith affiliation to name a few. All have successfully been able to fully experience the Weekend.

All we ask is that all Spouses attend with an open heart, a respect for others, and others' beliefs as Weekends are predominantly Roman Catholic in expression, presented by a Catholic Priest and Catholic married couples. We believe God's loving presence has an integral role in us fully living our Sacrament.

We encourage all interested in attending to speak with their local Scheduling Couple listed on the "Find a Weekend" page to see if the Weekend is a right fit for you.

I heard that Marriage Encounter is for "troubled" marriages. We've been married for (1 year, 10 y

On the contrary, Marriage Encounter Weekends are for GOOD marriages! Think about it, employers may send you to a seminar to gain new skills on the job, why not dedicate a Weekend to gain new skills that can benefit your most important relationship-- your marriage!

A Weekend gives busy couples, much needed time together to focus on each other and deepen their communication. After the Weekend couples often return to their life and families, refreshed, with renewed commitment to each other.

Often we share that ideal Weekend couples are those going through life transitions: recently married, expanding the family, job transitions, blended families, empty-nesters or couples facing retirement or illnesses. These are times when compassionate communication and listening matter the most!

For marriages that are troubled, in crisis, or have deep hurts that need significant healing and forgiveness, please consider our sister program, Retrouvaille.