Congratulations on your engagement! The Church is thrilled that you and your fiancé have decided to get married and are looking to celebrate the sacrament of Marriage. We at St. Benedict are honored to help you with that process.
Planning & Preparation
Catholic dioceses in the United States have policies that require a preparation period of at least 4 months to one year for couples who want to be married in the Church. The preparation includes a contact with the parish in which they want to have their wedding. It’s a good idea to get your date on the parish calendar as soon as possible. It’s also important to talk with the parish priest or deacon or pastoral minister about what the parish allows and expects in a celebration. It is also possible that the parish can offer specific help and resources, such as a person to help you plan and coordinate the event.
Beginning early to work with the parish makes practical good sense and it also helps you to develop a relationship with a community that shares your faith and wants to support you in the sacrament you are about receive and live. Quite likely you will be given some material about the Catholic wedding liturgy and encouraged to read and ask questions. Take the time to do this. It will enhance your preparation and help you to focus on the meaning of the commitment you are about to make.
Participation in marriage preparation is essential.
Think about Marriage preparation in three steps:
1. Preparation of yourselves in strengthening the bonds of love that you share.
2. Preparing the paperwork for the Sacrament of Marriage.
3. Preparing the Liturgy for the actual day of Marriage.
PreCana & Catholic Couple Checkup
Almost all the personal preparation aspects of Wedding preparation can be handled through the Archdiocese of Chicago. Required for all couples is the:
1. Marriage Preparation class (Called Pre-Cana in Chicago)
2. Catholic Couple Check-up
3. Natural Family Planning on-line class.
You can register for all three of these preparation processes by going on-line to www.familyministries.org
We are very fortunate to be able to offer the Marriage Preparation Class right here at St. Benedict. (instead of going through the Archdiocese)
Planning your Wedding Liturgy
One of the last steps in planning your marriage, is planning the Liturgy. Considerations include readings, music, prayers, decor.. .everything that goes into creating a prayerful celebration of this sacrament. Your priest, wedding coordinator, and music director will help you in this process.
Church Fees
Every Catholic is invited to celebrate Marriage in their home parish. This is the most important place for each Catholic.
For all registered parishioners planning Marriage, the suggested fee is $500.
Because many people have fond memories of going to High School here at St. Benedict Preparatory, or have fond memories of being a former parishioner, the suggested fee for alumni and former parishioners is $675.
If you do not reside in St. Benedict Parish, you are not part of the worship community, and you wish to get married here at St. Benedict, we would need permission from your Pastor to celebrate your Marriage here. The suggested fee is $1,000.
If you have already consulted with one of our priests and have a confirmed date for your Marriage at St. Benedict Parish you are welcome to pay the fee electronically through GiveCentral. Please note that a fee payment alone does not reserve a date for your wedding, only a St. Benedict Parish priest may schedule and confirm your Marriage date. Payments for unconfirmed weddings will be refunded.
Music Fees & Policies
The fee for musicians is $450 and includes an accompanist and cantor. Additional musicians may be hired at an additional charge.
Musicians with no affiliation to the parish are not allowed to lead the music. Guest musicians may take on a small role at the discretion of the music staff. Please do not hire any outside musicians before contacting the parish music staff.
Secular and pop music is usually not appropriate for a Catholic wedding liturgy. Please consult with the parish music staff before choosing music for your wedding.
Please contact sarkenberg@stbenedict.com with any questions, or to set up a music consultation.
How do I get started?
Please call the rectory at (773) 588-6484 to inquire about dates, availability of our priests, and all other aspects of your wedding. We highly recommend that you contact us as soon as possible, at least six months prior to the date of your wedding.