How Long Should Catholics Date Before Getting Engaged?
There is no official Catholic rule about how long to date before getting engaged. But wisdom – both pastoral and practical – suggests you need at least a year of intentional courtship to truly know someone’s character. Most priests and marriage preparation programs recommend 1-2 years of serious dating before engagement, with an additional 6-12 months of engagement before the wedding. The Deeper Story I know the waiting can feel endless. Especially when you’re in your late twenties or thirties and everyone around you seems to be getting married. The temptation is to rush – to lock it down before they change their mind or before another year passes. ...