Przygotowanie do sakramentu małżeństwa w grupie ewangelizacyjnej

Abstract

Preparing young people to getting married is an important task of the Church community. In the practice of Church life we can notice two models of preparation for marriage: the first one first of all consists in participation in a series of conferences, whereas the second one in an active participation in a small formation group. The article focuses on three ways of preparing young people for the sacrament of matrimony applying the method of small groups. The first one that was devised by the Italian pastoralist Carlo Rocchetta refers to the contents and structure of the Christian initiation of adults. Il considers the situation of many young people - especially in the Western world - who need a post-baptism catechumenate. It is united with evangelization and it is the itinerarium of faith. The second one was developed by the international pro-family Cana Movement. The emphasis on the ability to develop personal relations with God and in the family community may be noticed in a special way in it. The third method is called lubelska, as it was developed in the Lublin’s student circle. It stresses learning by participation in a small formation group that is managed by the instructor and it emphasizes the need of a dynamic understanding of the sacrament of matrimony. It should be noted that the method of small groups, although it is more difficult to put into effect, is a better response to the young nuptrients’ needs. A group conducting the pre-matrimony formation consists of both lay people and priests, which shows the fact that this is the duty of all the local Church community. In a small group developing genuine inter-personal bonds can take place, then a dialogue and genuine evangelization. Preparation for marriage is a pastoral-liturgical reality that needs developing. Formation in a small group, connected to discovering the mystery of Christ and the Church anew, may become the beginning of permanent pastorate of families. Experience gained when practicing the above methods may be used for renewing the pre-matrimony formation conducted by the Church.