A Covenant of Sacrificial Love
Marriage is a sacred promise—where a man and woman mirror Christ’s love for His Church, forming a family and witnessing to Gospel love.
About Marriage
Marriage is more than a ceremony. It’s a sacrament—a sacred, unbreakable covenant in which a man and woman are joined by God to become one flesh, one mission, one shared path to holiness.
Jesus Christ Himself blesses and sustains this union. He rejoices in your joy. He strengthens your vows. He is the heart of your love.
At St. Francis Xavier, we are honored to walk with you as you prepare to enter this lifelong vocation.
Preparing for the Marriage
Congratulations on your engagement! We can’t wait to walk this road with you as you journey towards your wedding day.
We ask all couples to contact the parish at least six months before your desired wedding date, before booking a reception venue. This allows us to provide the personal, pastoral preparation your sacrament deserves.
You’ll journey with one of our priests or deacons through:
Individual meetings to prepare spiritually and practically
Ceremony planning rooted in reverence and beauty
Pre-Cana, a one-day retreat led by married couples, where you’ll reflect deeply on the joys, challenges, and daily grace of Catholic marriage
St. Francis Xavier does not currently host Pre-Cana onsite, but you can find a list of locations through the Cleveland Diocese.
We’ve also prepared a helpful Wedding Guidelines Booklet to assist in planning your liturgy.
Support for Your Marriage
Marriage doesn’t end at the altar. It is a daily invitation to love like Christ—freely, faithfully, fruitfully, and forever.
To strengthen your bond and keep Christ at the center of your home, we encourage you to explore:
Seven-Day Virtual Marriage Retreats
Created by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, these two online retreats offer couples an easy but powerful way to pray and reflect together—no matter your stage of marriage.
Each day’s reflection is short but rich, and can be done alone or as a couple. Set aside sacred time. Invite God back into your rhythm.
Explore these retreats and other helpful resources at foryourmarriage.org.
Contact Us About Marriage
To reserve a date and begin the preparation process, please call the parish office at 330-725-4968.
Journey Together at St. Francis Xavier Parish
We’re a community discovering authentic peace, lasting purpose, and the true presence of Christ in the Eucharist.
In our worship, in our friendships, and in our service, we strive to reflect the beauty and unity of God’s people