People can and do change and marriages can change for the better. For couples with serious relational challenges, know that with God’s grace, healing is possible. In fact, research has shown that a large percentage of unhappy marriages become happy again. Reconciliation and healing are possible if you are willing to look beyond the hurt and pain in order to rediscover each other in a new and positive way. See below for some resources to help you on the journey of renewal.
Pope Francis held a private audience with worldwide leaders of Retrouvaille in November 2021 to express his gratitude for helping marriages in crisis. To see the video of the Holy Father’s audience, click the video to the right. To read his full remarks, see this link.
Resources for Marriage Renewal
- Retrouvaille is for married couples facing difficult challenges in their relationship. It is a Catholic ministry that welcomes all faiths and helps couples restore their marriage and rebuild a loving relationship using a three-phase approach to improve communication, build stronger marriages, and help struggling couples reconnect. Please click here to register for an upcoming retreat in San Diego.
- Third Option hopes to inspire and encourage couples to build stronger relationships. There is a “third option” besides enduring a painful marriage and divorce. There are currently Third Options classes held via ZOOM and in-person in Fullerton, CA. Also coming soon to San Diego.
- RESTORE Catholic Marriage is an online, self-led marriage resources that gives spouses the opportunity and tools necessary to heal and restore their relationship.
- The Diocesan Office for Family Life & Spirituality maintains a list of Catholic/Catholic-friendly marriage therapists who can integrate the Church’s teaching on marriage & family into their therapeutic practice. Please call the office for referrals (858-490-8292).
See a recent testimony from one of their participating couples.
To our Friends in Retrouvaille,
“Because of our participation in a Retrouvaille weekend one year ago, this past year was nothing short of miraculous for us as a couple, and consequently for our family and preschool aged daughter. Before attending our Retrouvaille weekend, both my wife and I had resigned ourselves to the reality that we were likely going to separate and perhaps even divorce.
As the Retrouvaille logo suggests, the Retrouvaille weekend throws a lifesaver to the couple, but it is the follow up work with the program that brings the couple back to shore safely. The weekend actually provided a life raft for us with oars, water, and even some energy bars. (Don’t worry, this is just a metaphor. They feed you much better over the weekend!) And, the follow up program, which boasts a 90% plus success rate for couples who continue to work the program in good faith, gave us the tools we need to navigate the rough waters safely. In fact, we have grown so much as a couple in this past year, committing to apply what we learned on a weekly, if not daily basis, that it is hard for us to recognize our “former” marriage.
In short, Retrouvaille helped us to let God back into the center of our marriage and our family life, and that changed everything. Of course, our growth and progress can feel like two steps forward and a step back, but persevering with process, cooperating with the special graces bestowed by the sacrament of Holy Matrimony, transformed our life together and makes each day a joy, in the midst of, and not in spite of, the challenges we still face.”
Retrouvaille is highly recommended by the Diocese as a resource for struggling marriages.
Upcoming Retreats
Retiro de fin de semana de Retrouvaille
Retrouvaille Weekend Retreat
Worldwide Marriage Encounter
Worldwide Marriage Encounter (English) and Encuentro Matrimonial Mundial (Spanish) is a weekend for married Christian couples who value their relationship and desire a richer, fuller life together. The emphasis of Worldwide Marriage Encounter is on communication between husband and wife, who spend a weekend together away from the distractions and the tensions of everyday life, to concentrate on each other.
For WWME Retreats in English, apply online or call Nick and Jen Rivette at 760-659-9102. For Encuentro Matrimonial Mundial San Diego, contact Rosalio y Adriana Perez at 619-581-7811 or at rosalio.adriana.perez@wwme.org.
perez@wwme.org.
Diocesan Therapist Referral Network
Contact Information
Staff
- Director: John Prust
- Associate Director: Janelle Peregoy
- Associate Director: Wendy Baez
- Administrative Assistant: Angie Rosario