Worldwide Marriage Encounter

FAQs for Couples

This page was created to help respond to many of the questions that you may have. However, if you do not find an answer to your question, please contact us. There are also FAQs for Clergy.

What is a Marriage Encounter?: The Marriage Encounter Weekend is a positive and personal experience offering married couples an opportunity to learn a technique of loving communication that they can use for the rest of their lives. It is a chance to look deeply into their relationship with each other and with God. It is a time to share their feelings, hopes and dreams with each other.

The emphasis of the Marriage Encounter weekend is on the communication between husbands and wives. The weekend provides a conducive environment for couples to spend time together, away from the distractions and tensions of everyday life, while encouraging them to focus on each other and their relationship.

It is not a retreat, marriage clinic, group sensitivity, or a substitute for counseling. It is 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!
Why is it called Marriage Encounter?: The movement began as a way of improving communication between husbands and wives. But as insights grew, is became apparent that the techniques used in the sessions could benefit anyone whose vocation involves close, caring communication with others.
What happens on a Marriage Encounter Weekend?: A series of presentations is given by a team of Catholic couples and a priest. Each presentation allows you to look at yourself as an individual, and then to look at your relationship to those with whom you live and work and to whom you minister. Finally, you are led to look at your relationship with God, the Church as a whole, and the world. Married couples view all these relationships in terms of their own vocation, but the principles are freely applicable to the priesthood and religious life as well. The atmosphere is relaxed and non-invasive. Most participants say they are hardly aware of the others in attendance.
I have heard that dialogue is an important part of the Weekend.: Dialogue between the marriage partners enables them to examine and "test out" the new principles of loving communication they are learning in the course of the weekend. It is a simple matter for a priest who is making the weekend to arrange informal, comfortable dialogues with another priest. We encourage you to make the Encounter weekend with a priest friend. If this is not practical, however, you may find it helpful to dialogue with another priest who is making the weekend, or with the priest on the ministry team.
Is there a specific religious orientation to the Weekend?: Marriage Encounter does present God as a focus for successful Marriage. 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. The opportunities of the Weekend go beyond the boundaries of any one expression.
Who is it for?: 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!
Does the Weekend respect the privacy of each couple?: YES! Absolutely!

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. There is no group sharing on the weekend.
What does the Weekend cost?: On the weekend, you will be asked to make a donation. This donation will cover the expenses of lodging, food, and materials for the Weekend. A non-refundable registration fee of $35.00 is required to confirm your reservation, food and lodging. There is limited capacity; so early registration is encouraged.

No couple is ever denied the chance to renew their marriage because they are facing financial difficulties. This concern should not influence your decision to attend a Marriage Encounter Weekend. Worldwide Marriage Encounter is a tax-exempt organization.

The Internal Revenue Service has ruled that donations made in connection with the Weekend, including the non-refundable deposit mentioned above, are deductible only to the extent that the contribution exceeds the amount of goods and services received. Information as to that amount will be given to couples attending the Weekend. Contributions made on or in connection with the Marriage Encounter weekend are made confidentially.
How does a Marriage Encounter Weekend enhance a marriage?: 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 contimuing the newly acquired technique begun on the weekend, husband and wives coninually grow closer together to live more joyful and purposeful lives.
How do I register for a Marriage Encounter Weekend?: To register for a Worldwide Marriage Encounter Weekend in the Rockford, Madison, or Milwaukee Diocese: call toll free 1-888-574-5653 or use our On-Line Registration Form.
What are the start and stop times for the Weekend?: The Weekend normally starts around 7:30pm on Friday and ends around 5:00pm on Sunday. We provide all meals on Saturday and Sunday, but you will need to eat dinner prior to arriving on Friday.