We are happy you have decided to marry in the Catholic Church and will be receiving the graces and blessings of the Sacrament of Matrimony.

There is education and preparation for all the sacraments of the faith. We work together so you will have every opportunity to build a marriage that echoes the love that God has for us; a happy, healthy, and holy marriage; a marriage that is truly a marriage in the Lord.

Steps to get married at St. Mother Guerin


STEP 1 – The first step is to meet with your priest or deacon before you commit to a wedding date and to learn about the parish guidelines for marriage. You can ask about appropriate music for the ceremony, and begin to fill out some of the required paperwork.

Please contact Deacon Mike DeLarco at the Pastoral Center at 708–453–2555 to discuss getting married at either of the churches in St. Mother Guerin parish. He will discuss your options for a premarital evaluation and what kind of marriage preparation program will best fit your needs.

STEP 2 – The premarital inventories recommended by the Archdiocese as being both research and scientifically based with a Catholic understanding of marriage are The Catholic Couple Check Up or FOCCUS. Both inventories are taken online, and both are accepted. If you take the Catholic Couple Checkup, the results are available as soon as you finish and you can discuss them together or with the person preparing you for marriage. Deacon Mike can talk to you about taking FOCCUS.

STEP 3 – The third step is to sign up for your marriage preparation class. CLICK HERE for more information about these classes.

STEP 4 – After taking your marriage prep class you will again meet with the priest or deacon and discuss any issues or concerns raised in your class, share the results of your premarital inventory, and finalize the ceremony details, finish your paperwork, and review the readings and music you’ve chosen.

STEP 5 – The fifth step is to buy a marriage license and attend the wedding rehearsal. Be sure you buy your marriage license at least one but no more than 60 days before the ceremony. The wedding rehearsal takes place at St. Celestine or St. Cyprian with those involved in the ceremony as determined with your priest or deacon.

The final step is your wedding day as you receive the Sacrament of Matrimony. Enjoy this day with family and friends as you begin your lifetime commitment to one another, your own marriage in the Lord.