Diocese of Lincoln updates marriage preparation guidelines with mentorship model
The Diocese of Lincoln announced on Apr. 17 that it has revised its marriage preparation policy, introducing new guidelines for the Marriage Catechumenate aimed at providing engaged couples with greater mentorship and support before and after their wedding.
The updated approach reflects a growing emphasis within the Catholic Church on thorough marriage preparation, as outlined in recent Vatican documents. The diocese’s changes respond to Pope Francis’ call for a “new catechumenate” for marriage, focusing on accompaniment and mentorship to help couples sustain their faith and relationship.
Under the new policy, which took effect Jan. 1, all newly engaged couples are expected to participate in an expanded formation process modeled after stages similar to the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults. A key addition is the requirement that each couple selects a mentor couple—married in the Catholic Church for at least five years—to meet with monthly throughout their engagement and into early married life. This mentorship is facilitated through Witness to Love, a program now used in over 100 dioceses worldwide.
Rachael Tvrdy, director for family life and discipleship for the diocese, said she was tasked with revising the more than 25-year-old policy shortly after assuming her role in November 2022. She said, “I learned about [Witness to Love] and recognized that they were the preferred program for most dioceses across the world… and what impressed me most was that it was relational, helping couples form friendships with married couples in their parish.”
Bishop James Conley opened a recent webinar about these changes by saying: “It’s really bringing couples to experience, as much as we can – because the Holy Spirit is the one who can do this – a true encounter with Jesus through us, through our words and through this program.”
Father Troy Schweiger from St. Patrick Parish noted during his experience piloting these guidelines that many engaged couples lacked parish connections or mentors prior to this initiative. He said priests must be humble enough to recognize when other married parishioners can offer what clergy cannot: ongoing peer support within parish life.
The diocese comprises 134 parishes and six educational institutions according to its official website. It extends services across southern Nebraska according to its official website and offers programs supporting vocations, family life initiatives such as these revised marriage policies, youth activities, catechesis efforts, evangelization projects and charitable outreach according to its official website.
Tvrdy emphasized that implementing these changes will take time but believes sharing responsibility between priests and lay mentors will benefit both engaged couples preparing for marriage as well as those already married: “It’s going to be a big cultural change for our diocese,” she said. “But hopefully it’s going to bear a lot of fruit.”
The Diocese of Lincoln operates as a religious organization promoting adherence to Catholic traditions while nurturing active faith practice among members according to its official website.
