WEEKENDS - COUPLES FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

This page was created to help respond to many of the questions that you may have. However, if you still have questions, please email them to apply@houstonme.org.

What does WWME mean by “marriage” and “couple”?

WWME is faithful to the Roman Catholic Church’s teaching that marriage is a covenant that exists between one man and one woman. Any reference to marriage or couple made by WWME is in this context.

What is a Marriage Encounter?

The Marriage Encounter Weekend is a positive and personal experience offering married couples an opportunity to learn a technique of loving communication that they can use for the rest of their lives. It is a chance to look deeply into their relationship with each other and with God. It is a time to share their feelings, hopes and dreams with each other.

The emphasis of the Marriage Encounter weekend is on the communication between husbands and wives. The weekend provides a conducive environment for couples to spend time together, away from the distractions and tensions of everyday life, while encouraging them to focus on each other and their relationship.

It is not a retreat, marriage clinic, group sensitivity, or a substitute for counseling. It is a unique approach aimed at revitalizing Marriage.

This is a time for you and your spouse to be alone together, to rediscover each other and together focus on your relationship for an entire weekend. Every marriage deserves that kind of attention!

Why is it called Marriage Encounter?

Worldwide Marriage Encounter (WWME) has this name because couples are "encountered" through weekends in over 2100 weekends per year and over 31,000 couples and 650 priests completing these weekends we are truly the largest pro marriage movement in the world.

Our name defines who we are (worldwide) and what we do (encounter another). “Worldwide” means open to all, but it also reflects our unity. Throughout the world, wherever Worldwide Marriage Encounter is present, there is conformity to the same concepts and values. “Marriage” refers to the spousal relationship between a married man and woman. In the wider sense, it also refers to the spousal relationship of priests and religious with the people of God. “Encounter” means “to meet” and it reflects the exposure of married couples and priests to the full meaning of their sacrament as they meet each other and Christ within their sacramental relationships.

What happens on a Marriage Encounter Weekend?

The foundational gateway to our Movement is the Worldwide Marriage Encounter Weekend or Experience. It is a series of presentations given by a couple-priest team who share the reality of their own relationship. After each presentation, the participants are given questions for personal reflection. They are invited to share their thoughts and feelings with their spouse in privacy. Through this experiential and interactive process, participants learn a technique of communication called dialogue that they can use at home to continue growing in relationship with their spouse. This foundational experience offers participants an experience of:

  • being welcomed and loved
  • renewing their dreams
  • conversion with regard to self, spouse and God
  • belonging to a community of believers

I heard that dialogue is important on the Weekend.

Dialogue enables couples to examine and "test out" the new principles of loving communication they are learning in the course of the weekend.

Is there a specific religious orientation to the Weekend?

Marriage Encounter presents God as a focus for successful Marriage. This is the Catholic expression of Worldwide Marriage Encounter, but there are also may other faith expressions available (see Discover - Other Faith Expressions).

Who is it for?

Any married couple who desires a richer, fuller life together. A marriage can never be too good. Marriage Encounter is designed to deepen and enrich the joys a couple share together, whether they have been married for only a short time or for many years. Priests and other religious are also welcome and encouraged to attend!

How does a Marriage Encounter Weekend Enhance a Marriage?

The weekend teaches a communication technique which permits each couple to explore important areas of their relationship in a spirit of love and understanding. By continuing the newly acquired technique begun on the weekend, husband and wives continually grow closer together to live more joyful and purposeful lives.

How do I apply for a Weekend?

An old Chinese proverb tells us that "A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step". Well, you've made the first step by considering a Worldwide Marriage Encounter Weekend.

The next step is to choose which Weekend fits your schedules. You can do that by clicking here to find a weekend. WWME in Hoston North offers 3 weekends a year. The weekends are held at a hotel or a parish facility.

Once you have decided on which Weekend from the Calendar, the next step is to apply. After that, the only thing remaining is to pack your bags for a weekend away and " Discover the Weekend! "

Does the Weekend Respect the Privacy of each Couple?

YES! Absolutely! The weekend is oriented strictly to each individual couple. You concentrate on your spouse to such an extent that you are hardly aware of the other couples present. The presentations are given to the group as a whole. After each presentation, the husband and wife have time in the privacy of their room for their own personal discussion. There is no group sharing on the weekend.