By Catholic San Francsico
“…The opportunity to listen, learn and grow together with my fiancé as we prepare to marry in the Catholic Church.”
“…connecting with my partner.”
“…(it) brought up a lot of stuff with my fiancé for spicy discussion.”
“… just the right amount of presentation, self-reflection and social interaction…”
These were some of the responses from the nearly 30 couples who spent Saturday, April 25 at St. Bartholomew Church parish hall preparing for sacramental marriage with the new archdiocesan Genesis retreat.
The retreat is focused on talks by three couples, each speaking on one of the three vows required for sacramental marriage and how that vow has been lived out in their own marriage: 1) giving oneself to your spouse fully and freely; 2) giving oneself faithfully (for life); and 3) giving oneself fruitfully (being open to new life). A fourth talk is offered by a priest on “The heart of the Father – mercy and forgiveness.” Couples have an opportunity to participate in the Sacrament of Reconciliation. There is also a brief introduction to the theology of marriage through the lens of Pope St. John Paul II’s Theology of the Body.
Following the COVID-19 shutdowns, many of the archdiocesan in-person retreats for marriage preparation ended. The only approved in-person programs still offered in the archdiocese are Engaged Encounter (twice/year) and the SF Family Life program offered in Marin county once a month. There is an excellent online program that many parishes now use, but there was still a request from priests for more in-person options.
“A few years ago, Archbishop Cordileone had asked us to develop and put on our own in-person retreat, so we brought in and adapted the Genesis retreat which I knew had had great success in a few other dioceses,” said Ed Hopfner, director of the Office for Marriage and Family Life. “The name of the retreat refers to the first chapters of Genesis, where God revealed His original plan for men and women.”
“Though we no longer live in our original state, as in Eden, the desires in every human heart for love that is freely, fully, faithfully and fruitfully given – as Jesus loves all of us – remain,” said Hopfner. “The retreat helps couples see that more clearly so they can be more thoughtful and intentional in their commitment to love each other.”
As one couple said, “The retreat was the exact spark we needed to become more involved in our parish and be intentional about how we incorporate faith into our family life.” And another couple said, “Thank you for giving us an opportunity to reflect on our marriage and the reasons why we love each other and want to join in this union.”
