Father Michael Van Sloun, director of clergy personnel for the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis and a columnist for The Catholic Spirit, has presided at about 445 weddings over the years, which he said involves “a really joyful process.”
He said he has noticed “an interesting shift in the dynamic” in recent years, with fewer young couples “bringing their marriages to church,” but those who do are intentional and committed.
Previously, a couple came to church because their parents or grandparents wanted them to, he said. But he has found, over the last 10 years, that “the couples (coming to church) were really intentional and really wanted to be there,” he said. “They wanted Jesus. They wanted God to be at the center of their marriage. They wanted to be approaching sacramental grace. They wanted to be a witness to their family and their friends.
“I’ve always enjoyed doing marriages, but recently I’ve enjoyed them even more,” Father Van Sloun said.
“Practicing Catholic” radio show host Patrick Conley recently interviewed Father Van Sloun about the importance of preparing engaged couples for marriage. “The Church knows that preparation and catechesis for sacraments is essential,” Father Van Sloun said, as shown, for example, in preparations before baptism or confirmation. And most parishes have “a pretty comprehensive program” before marriages, he said, with some offering “mentor couples” and a retreat as part of preparation.
Beyond a contract, which has “an escape clause” and is not a spiritual model, Father Van Sloun said, the covenant of marriage is permanent and is modeled on “the way that God loves us.”
“Jesus gave himself as a total gift for us,” Father Van Sloun said, “and so your commitment is a total gift to each other, and you want to do everything you can to please and give and be concerned. And it’s a life of happy, not painful self-sacrifice for your partner,” he said.
The faithful can support engaged couples by praying for them, Father Van Sloun said.
During the interview, Conley asked Father Van Sloun about how to handle wedding invitations from couples who have fallen away from the Church — and if he had any gift ideas for newly married couples.
To hear his responses and to hear the full interview, listen to this episode of “Practicing Catholic,” which debuts at 9 p.m. June 2 on Relevant Radio 1330 AM and repeats at 1 p.m. June 3 and 2 p.m. June 4.
Produced by Relevant Radio and the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis, the latest show also includes an interview with Archbishop Bernard Hebda of St. Paul and Minneapolis, who gives an update on the formation of Synod Evangelization Teams and small groups at parishes; and Sam Backman, director of music at Holy Cross in Northeast Minneapolis, and Chorbishop Sharbel Maroun of St. Maron’s Maronite Catholic Church in northeast Minneapolis, who provide details about an upcoming eucharistic procession that includes seven parishes from multiple Catholic rites.
Listen to interviews after they have aired at PracticingCatholicShow.com or choose a streaming platform at anchor.fm/practicing-catholic-show.
