Long-distance engagement is more common than it used to be. Whether one of you is finishing school in another city, working abroad, or simply living apart before the wedding, the logistics of doing anything together as a couple become a real consideration. Marriage preparation is no exception.

The practical question is straightforward: can you actually complete Pre Cana classes online when you are not in the same place? The short answer is yes. Here is how it works.

The Format Is Built for Flexibility

Pre-Cana Online was designed as a self-guided, digital experience from the ground up. There are no retreat dates to coordinate, no room you both need to be sitting in, and no live sessions that require you to be online at exactly the same time.

The ten guided conversations are PDF files. Each partner downloads them to their own device. You work through each topic on your own schedule and in your own space, writing your individual responses to the prompts privately before coming together to share and discuss.

That written-first structure is actually one of the things that makes Pre-Cana classes online well-suited for distance. You are not trying to have a nuanced conversation over a distracted phone call. You are preparing your thoughts independently and then bringing them to a real conversation when you are both ready.

How the Distance Conversation Works Practically

When you and your partner are in different locations, the sharing part of each guided conversation happens via video call. Couples use whatever platform they are already comfortable with: FaceTime, Zoom, Google Meet, or any other video tool.

The setup is simple:

• Both partners have the conversation PDF open on their own devices

• You have written your responses in advance

• You connect by video and go through the conversation together, sharing your responses and listening to each other

The intimacy that couples describe, sitting close, holding hands, creating a relaxed atmosphere, can be adapted to a video format. Rev. Frank encourages couples to treat each conversation as a date. A long-distance couple can still light a candle, pour a drink, and settle in for a meaningful conversation over video. The physical distance does not eliminate the depth.

What the Catholic Marriage Preparation Course Covers

The Catholic marriage preparation course at Pre-Cana Online includes ten guided conversations that cover the full range of married life. For couples who are living apart, several of these topics carry extra weight:

• Leisure and Work asks how you envision spending time together and what your ideal shared day looks like. For couples who are not yet living in the same city, this is an important conversation about expectations.

• Doing My Part addresses household responsibilities. Couples who have not yet shared a living space often have untested assumptions about how that will look.

• Issues walks you through a real current tension. Long-distance couples often have unresolved logistics, about timing, about where to live after the wedding, about what the transition looks like. This conversation gives you a structured way to work through one of those.

Beyond the conversations, there are teaching videos with Rev. Frank, a presentation on the Sacrament of Marriage with Father Mike Schmitz, and an introduction to Natural Family Planning from Pat and Kenna Millea. These are video sessions that both partners can watch independently or together over video call, depending on your preference.

Completing the Course Across Time Zones

Time zones add another layer of complexity for some couples, especially those dealing with international distances. Because Pre-Cana Online is fully self-paced, time zones are not a barrier to completing the written portion of each conversation. Both partners can do their individual writing at times that work for their own schedule.

The shared conversation portion, the part where you come together to discuss, does require you to be connected at the same time. But that is one video call per topic, and couples can plan those around their schedules. Spreading the ten conversations over several weeks, perhaps one or two per week, keeps it manageable even across significant time differences.

The Certificate Process for Long-Distance Couples

When you finish the course, both partners submit their completed work electronically to Rev. Frank by email. There is no requirement to be in the same location for this step. He reviews the submissions to confirm completion, processes the certificate within 48 hours, and emails it to both of you and to your parish contact.

If your wedding is taking place in a different city or country than where either of you currently lives, Rev. Frank will work with you to contact the relevant parish and ensure your paperwork is recognized. This is a common situation and one he handles regularly.

One Thing to Plan For

The one logistical piece that requires some coordination is scheduling. Ten conversations over the course of an engagement period is not a heavy lift, but it does require both partners to carve out dedicated time. For long-distance couples, that means planning your video call "conversation dates" intentionally.

Rev. Frank suggests treating each session as something you look forward to rather than something you schedule out of obligation. A shared meal over video, a quiet evening in each of your respective spaces, a genuine commitment to putting the phones away except for the conversation itself. These small choices make a significant difference in how much you get out of each topic.

FAQ

Q: Do both partners have to be online at the same time to complete the course? 

The written portion is done independently and can be done at any time. The sharing portion of each conversation works best in real time, which most couples do over video call when they are apart.

Q: What if we are in very different time zones? 

The asynchronous nature of the written work makes time zones less of an obstacle. You coordinate only for the conversation sessions, which can be scheduled around both partners' availability.

Q: Will the parish accept a certificate from a course we completed long-distance? 

Yes. Pre-Cana Online has been accepted by parishes around the world. Rev. Frank will contact your parish directly and can work with parishes in any location to confirm acceptance of the certificate.