Marriage Preparation Course Held at St. Francis Xavier’s Church in Kanpur, U.P.

KANPUR, September 19, 2025 — The Catholic Diocese of Allahabad organised a two-day Marriage Preparation Course on September 13 and 14 at St. Francis Xavier’s Church in Ashoknagar, Kanpur. A total of 34 participants, mostly from the Kanpur Zone, with a few from Allahabad and nearby zones, attended the programme aimed at preparing young Catholics for the sacrament of marriage.

Fr. Babu Francis inaugurated the programme with a prayer, followed by an introduction to the course modules and overall structure. The first session, delivered by Leo Sequeira, focused on the biblical foundations of Catholic marriage.

Fr. Thomas Kumar then led a session on “The Sacramental Aspect of Catholic Marriage”, explaining its significance and practical implications for married life.

In the third session, Fr. Leo Sequeira shared practical guidance for a successful marriage. Highlighting common challenges, such as misunderstandings and daily conflicts, he emphasised the importance of the three golden words: please, thank you, and sorry. His insights were well-received by all the participants.

After lunch, Fr. Babu Francis delivered a session on the psychological aspects of Catholic marriage. He focused on the psychological makeup of men and women, highlighting the differences that spouses need to understand and accept in marriage.

The final session of the day was conducted by Mr. Ashish Dani and Mrs. Philomena Dani, a couple married for 15 years. They shared personal experiences and practical advice on maintaining the right outlook, setting priorities, and addressing challenges in marriage, while also answering participants’ questions.

The second day began with the celebration of the Holy Eucharist at St. Francis Xavier’s Church. Fr. Primus Ekka, a canonist from the Diocese of Lucknow, then conducted a session on the canonical regulations of Catholic marriage, explaining the Church’s teaching in clear and comprehensive detail. Fr. Primus then led a session on the civil-law dimensions of Catholic marriage in India, outlining recent legislative changes introduced by the Government of India and their practical effects on Christian matrimonial practice.

After a short tea break, Dr Sonal Mishra, a gynaecologist with 27 years of experience, led an informative session on marriage, sexual health, conception, pregnancy, and childbirth. She beautifully explained the anatomy of the male and the female. She also cleared several misconceptions that the participants had about having a healthy sexual life.

Following lunch, Fr. Babu Francis conducted a session on Catholic marriage procedures, covering marriages between Catholics, between a Catholic and a non-Catholic, and between a Catholic and a non-Christian, including required documents and guidance on approaching the marriage tribunal to deal with marital disputes. 

The programme concluded with closing remarks, distribution of certificates, and a group photograph of all participants.

By Fr. Babu Francis 

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