Pope Francis to the Roman Rota, 1/21/17 (excerpts)

"I must repeat the need for a 'new catechumenate' in preparation for marriage....the preparation for marriage should become an integral part of all the sacramental procedure of marriage, as an antidote that prevents the proliferation of null or inconsistent marriage celebrations.  A second remedy is that of helping newly-weds to follow the path of faith and in the Church also after the celebration of marriage....as I have said to you many times, it takes great courage to marry in the times in which we live. And those who have the strength and the joy to take this important step must feel the affection and the concrete closeness of the Church next to them" (Pope Francis to the Roman Rota, 1/21/17).