Marriage Preparation Through the Lens of the Theology of the Body
A flexible, holistic program that covers the practical ground engaged couples need — and then goes deeper.
Questions? Contact us or call (800) 888-9344
The Practical Conversations Every Couple Needs — and the Why Beneath Them
TOBET4Engaged covers communication, family of origin, conflict resolution, finances, and family planning. Then it does what most marriage preparation does not: it works through each of those topics in the light of St. John Paul II’s Theology of the Body, so couples come away understanding the reasons behind the Church’s teaching on marriage and sexuality — not just the rules.
Down to Earth, and Then Much Deeper
Two layers in every session — the practical questions couples actually argue about, examined through a vision of the person that makes sense of them. The diagrams below are drawn from the book itself.
The practical ground
Ordinary married life
The down-to-earth topics that form couples for healthy, holy marriages:
• Communication
• Family of Origin
• Conflict Resolution
• Finances
• Family Planning
The deeper lens
Theology of the Body
Each topic examined through St. John Paul II’s vision, so couples grasp the “whys behind the whats”:
• The “spousal” meaning of the human body
• Masculinity & femininity: archetypes, not stereotypes
• The sacramental vision of marriage
• Marital love as a person-to-person encounter
Carries a Nihil Obstat and an Imprimatur
Nihil Obstat: Janet E. Smith, Ph.D. — October 28, 2014
Imprimatur: +Most Reverend Mark J. Seitz, D.D., Bishop of El Paso — November 5, 2014
“This book is a real contribution to the need for truly useful marriage preparation materials based on the Theology of the Body.”
Janet E. Smith, Ph.D.
Father Michael J. McGivney Chair in Life Issues, Sacred Heart Major Seminary, Detroit
What Couples Receive
A book and a journal for each person, plus the resources a facilitator needs to lead the sessions with confidence.
The Marriage Preparation Book
Eighty pages of diagrams, stories, and thought-provoking questions that take engaged couples into Theology of the Body as it applies to married living. Its visual diagrams correspond to the Facilitator Resources.
The Companion Journal
Discussion questions for each person to answer on their own — excellent for private reflection, and the thing that most reliably opens up conversation between the two of them.
Two of each, per couple
We recommend two books and two journals for every couple — one of each per person — so both are writing, not just reading over a shoulder.
English, Spanish, and Vietnamese
The book is published in all three languages, so a parish can run one program across the communities it actually serves.
From Facilitators and From Couples
“The Facilitator Guide set a firm foundation in understanding the truth of marriage.”
The TOBET facilitator really knew how to reach the average engaged couple. The Theology of the Body book, slideshow presentation, and Facilitator Guide set a firm foundation in understanding the truth of marriage, which is so needed nowadays. I highly recommend this program.
Chris Vaughan
Director of Marriage and Family Life, Catholic Diocese of Fort Worth
“It was not just the happy but the real.”
Thank you for this class! It was very informative and I appreciate all the hard work that went into planning. The instructors and speakers provided real-life examples and hardships that all couples face. It was not just the happy but the real.
An engaged couple
“This class has brought us closer to each other and to the Lord.”
Thank you guys so much for new understandings on so many things. This class I believe has brought us closer to each other and to the Lord.
Groom-to-be
“We intend to begin praying together as a result of this class.”
It was very good! We will review the book and have more discussions at home. We intend to begin praying together as a result of this class, and will implement the book’s other suggestions as well.
Bride-to-be
From TOBET — now an imprint of Sophia Institute Press
TOBET4Engaged comes from the Theology of the Body Evangelization Team, founded by Monica Ashour, M.T.S., M.Hum. — the same team behind The Body Matters and My Body, My Identity. TOBET has spent more than twenty-five years making St. John Paul II’s Theology of the Body usable by ordinary people — five-year-olds, eighth-graders, and engaged couples alike.
Frequently Asked Questions
How flexible is the program?
Very. Parishes run it as a retreat weekend, as a series of evenings, or one-on-one with a mentor couple. The book and journal carry the content, so the schedule is yours to set.
What does a facilitator need?
The book’s visual diagrams correspond to Facilitator Resources, and a Facilitator Guide and slideshow presentation support the sessions. Facilitators do not need a Theology of the Body background to lead it.
How many books does a couple need?
Two books and two journals — one of each per person. Both partners work through the questions themselves, which is what makes the conversation between them worth having.
Is it available in Spanish?
Yes. The book is published in English, Spanish, and Vietnamese.
Does it carry Church approval?
Yes. The book was granted a Nihil Obstat by Janet E. Smith, Ph.D. on October 28, 2014, and an Imprimatur by the Most Reverend Mark J. Seitz, D.D., Bishop of El Paso, on November 5, 2014.
Can we see the book before we commit?
Yes — a sample of the current edition is available, and we can talk through bulk pricing for a parish or diocesan program.
Bring TOBET4Engaged to Your Parish
Request a sample of the book, or ask about bulk pricing for a parish or diocesan marriage preparation program.
Questions? Contact us or call (800) 888-9344
