Worldwide Marriage Encounter: Questions / Comments

[Mtatum1958]

This started as a conversation in another thread. Thought I would try to continue here.

For encountered couples or clergy: what are the best points of a Marriage Encounter weekend for you.

For all: any questions.

My wife and I have been involved in Worldwide Marriage Encounter for many years (March 1992). We were a presenting team couple for 10 years.
The weekend runs from Friday evening through Sunday afternoon. There are a series of talks by a married couple and a priest on the Sacrament of Marriage and your (couple) relationship to God.

Great for marriages at any stage
It is about you as a couple, not a lot of group interaction
Helps you face the modern world
Offers ongoing support and community with other couples
Shows the relationship of a priest with as his people as so mimilar to Marriage.

 

[Irishmom2]

What goes on besides the talks? There must be more than just sitting and listening. Can you describe a weekend in a bit more detail? Thanks for starting this thread.

 

[Mtatum1958]

Gladly.
That was one of the things that caused me hesitation.

The weekend runs from a Friday evening through Sunday afternoon. It begins with a welcome and introduction. There are three married couples and a priest presenting the talks during the weekend.

Following that, the series of talks examine our own personality, how that affects our communication and relationships, a method of communicating on a deep level with our spouse (you may hear the word dialog used), how to effectively listen to our spouse, the meaning and importance of feelings, God’s plan for marriage, and living our Sacrament in the world of today.

Following each of these talks (presented by one couple and the priest), there is a question presented. This is for the couple to discuss and involved each writing about the topic, less on the factual and more on the feeling it evokes, then sharing these with your spouse and verbally discussing it. This is between each couple only, there is no group sharing.

There is short times for socializing between talks, and time to get to know each other during meals, but it’s a pretty full schedule.

Mass is generally offered Saturday and Sunday, and there is time for reconciliation for anyone who wishes.

After the weekend, couples have the opportunity and are strongly encouraged to continue their journey in ongoing get togethers in their local areas. Like anything else, the world will come back to smack you in the face; this support allows you to smack back.

 

[Irishmom2]

I can see how this weekend might not work well for couples that have communication problems though. One or the other may not want to actually discuss things and the other spouse will be left alone. But I suppose they might not agree to go to something like that to begin with?

 

[Mtatum1958]

In very general ways, yes there should be a willingness or at least an openness to communicate. Men and women communicate in different ways for different reasons. If each spouse has a better understanding of the other and their own style, they are better equipped to listen and address all areas in the relationship.

I think there must be some spark, some desire in each spouse for them to attend. Sometimes it is just for the wife’s sake. Yes, that’s bias, but most often the case. To me, that just shows Gods grace in the Sacrament