Testimonials
Hear from couples who have experienced a Marriage Encounter Weekend and discover how it has touched their lives and strengthened their love.
“The ME Weekend was a sacred time to reconnect and rekindle the romance with our chosen life partner.
We were provided tools to dialogue in an authentic, structured way - we felt truly seen, heard and loved. It felt like our early dating days once again, but with a little more wisdom and skill to communicate at the heart level.
Through the vulnerable sharing of others, we discovered that we were not alone in our struggles. We became more aware of the grace of God working on our relationship as a sacramental couple. We were also deeply moved by the invisible web of community worldwide who channelled their energy and resources to support our relationship.
In the presence of others, we experienced healing and as we renewed our commitment to each other; the love, joy and peace felt was like experiencing a slice of heaven.
Our love is not to be kept for ourselves. Through our love for each other, we unlock our ‘couple power’ and we’re able to go out and touch the lives of those around us.”
Benignus ❤️ CherylME189
“At the beginning of the weekend, my intention was to absorb as many learning points thru the sharing by the presenters. Throughout the weekend, I experienced a closer relationship with my wife Angeline. This included expressing the feelings to her, either pleasant or unpleasant feelings.
The isolation from children and space dedicated to us had made me feel connected on the topics/ love letters that allowed me to really understand what it meant to be a collaborative and cooperate couple in the marriage, rather than marriage single. I am glad to participate in this wonderful weekend encounter that will contribute in shaping the future of my marriage.”
John ❤️ AngelineME189
“It was indeed a structured weekend which opened our minds and thoughts to marital matters we took for granted. We loved how the presenters broke our thought barriers to help us understand fundamental issues and to place God in the centre of all our actions and decisions.”
Andrew ❤️ JacquelineME189
“The ME weekend had been a refreshing and insightful weekend. The structure of the weekend enabled us both to bare our hearts to each other. It made us acutely aware of one another’s needs and respond with openness and gentleness. The journey continues as we speak. We highly recommend ME to any and every couple in order to rediscover the beauty in each other.”
Vikram ❤️ MarietteME189
“We’ve been married for 25 year and somewhere along the line things became so routine and normal that as Catholics we started to take God for granted in our Sacramental Marriage. Prayers were automatically said by 8pm most times, Weekend masses, Sunday classes for the kids and a little bit of church activity. A very normal routine Catholic. Unfortunately, my wife and I would argue over the smallest things over time and sometimes this would lead to talks of divorce over and over the years.
By God’s providence we consulted a priest while on a trip and after hearing us out, he suggested a Marriage Encounter weekend (a stay in 3D2N). We thought why not and just registered to go through the motions. Lo and behold it was a small investment (money + time) with a big impact in our lives
What we gained was priceless:
1. We realised that God was taken for granted in our sacramental marriage. It was everything else but God at the centre of our marriage life. The words by archbishop you (wife), me and God; Three persons in a marriage was said twice or more and a light bulb moment came about. After that it just stuck in my head as the root of our problems I felt.
2. Couple Power was another discussion point that resonated with me and I knew this was tied to the first point of three person since my prayer life in general tend to be solo and I knew I had to get my spouse involved no matter how short the time we would like to spend with our Lord. Small steps.
3. Dialogues, The WEDS tool was a game changer for us and I feel if we can incorporate this in our daily lives will have a significant outcome in our marriage. Especially in areas of intimacy and rekindling back who we are and why we were crazily in love in the first place.
My recommendation to any Married couples and more so if you’re a Catholic is to do Marriage Encounter because you owe it to yourself to take you marriage to the next level. You have experienced ME Facilitators/Instructors together with a Priest conducting this beautiful sacrament. You can’t go wrong.”
Eric ❤️ EmilyME189
“Finally saying YES to the Marriage Encounter weekend this July 2025 was the best thing we have done for our marriage in recent years. After having been married for nearly 28 years, we had started to take each other for granted and after our work and chores were done, would turn instead to our phones or the television for ‘deep conversation’. This ME weekend taught us to appreciate and communicate with each other again in the way we used to in the early days when we were new to each other and found each other absorbingly interesting and fascinating. It’s good to know, see and hear my spouse again! Highly recommend to all couples!”
David ❤️ AnneME189
“We had heard about Marriage Encounter (ME) for years but always found excuses not to go — despite the gentle “chasing” from two warm and persistent couples, Michael & Michelle and James & Mandy. This year, we finally said yes.
Before the Weekend, we hesitated, even arguing over something small. But our children encouraged us to go — and we’re so glad we did. Over those three days, we realised our struggles weren’t unique. We learnt to understand and accept each other more deeply, rediscovered ourselves, and even started writing love letters again, rekindling that long-lost sweetness of our courtship.
Looking back, we’re deeply grateful to those who kept inviting us — because this experience truly renewed our love and strengthened our marriage.”
Anthony ❤️ CynthiaME188
“We used to think we didn’t need Marriage Encounter (ME) since we often had deep conversations. But after several invitations from friends, we decided to give it a try — and it turned out to be very different from what we expected.
Through the sessions, we learnt to listen more attentively and be more mindful of each other’s feelings. We realised that even in a few short years of marriage, we had unknowingly fallen into routine. ME reminded us that a loving marriage takes two hearts working together with intention.
Today, we strive to live out the spirit of ME — expressing love more openly and cherishing each other daily. ME truly is a gift for all couples, helping us deepen our bond and live our marriage more fully.”
Michael ❤️ CarolineME188
“Marriage Encounter weekend was transformative for us both as the experience brought new life into our relationship.
Through a series of guided activities, we rediscovered the core of our connection and addressed areas that had grown distant over time.
The weekend offered a peaceful, distraction-free environment where we could fully focus on each other, away from the stresses of daily life.
The sessions introduced us to effective communication techniques, helping us to express our feelings more openly and listen to each other with greater empathy.
We explored how to share not just surface-level thoughts but deeper emotions, fostering a stronger bond.
By learning new ways to approach conflicts, we were able to close gaps in our understanding of each other, which had built up over the years.
The retreat also reminded us of the importance of prioritising God in our relationship, nurturing intimacy, and being intentional about expressing love and appreciation.
It was more than just a weekend away—it was a journey that revitalised our marriage, giving us tools to build a more meaningful partnership moving forward.
We left feeling closer, more connected, and excited about the next chapter of our lives together.”
Darren ❤️ CindyME185
“The first sign came during a Sunday homily, when Fr GT asked us both to hold hands and look into each other’s eyes in front of all the parishioners at St John's Cathedral (SJC). This sparked a subtle realisation. The second sign was when an ME couple, James and Mandy, promoted the ME weekend and shared their experience at SJC. Finally, Fr GT sent a direct message to us both, which led us to sign up!
We went into the weekend with an open mind and heart. Together with other couples, the Marriage Encounter team, and Fr. Gerard, we embraced the experience. As the days passed, we were deeply touched by the team's sharing’s, dedication and selfless efforts, which made the weekend truly impactful.
After 22 years of marriage, we sometimes take each other for granted. ME has given us valuable insights on how to continue nurturing our bond and keeping the flame alive. Marriage is a lifelong journey that requires effort and dedication.
At the heart of it all, we came to a profound realisation: as a couple, 1 + 1 doesn’t just equal two—it becomes one. This powerful reminder of the sacred unity between husband and wife touched us deeply. With this newfound understanding, and with God at the very centre of our relationship, we are filled with faith and hope that our marriage will continue to be blessed, growing stronger and more meaningful with each passing day.”
Victor ❤️ JoanneME185
“From the very beginning of our courtship, we both placed GOD and our Faith at the center of our relationship. As years passed, we felt something missing, and realised it was the communication and intimacy in our marriage. We decided to sign up for the Marriage Encounter Weekend, and embarked on it with an opened mind and without any expectations. We Prayed that the ME Weekend will help bring us closer to each other and bridge the shortcomings of our relationship.
Throughout our journey over the weekend, we were impressed with the depth of the sessions, touching not merely on our thoughts, but rather on our feelings to communicate with each other. As we’re lacking in our intimacy, the ME Weekend did address the many ways we can improve and understand each other’s’ feelings, thus communicating on a deeper level and placing importance on our spouse before anything else. We realize, with this practice, we create a loving environment at home and a positive energy for our children.
We are deeply touched by the presenter couples who journeyed with us throughout the weekend, who shared themselves their own relationship transformation. We were rather Blessed to also have a presenting Priest to share in his spousal journey with the People of GOD.
We graduated the weekend full of energy to rekindle the love for each other and to discover more about each other on a more intimate level. We highly encourage all couples who are seeking to strengthen their bond of marriage to enrol for the Marriage Encounter Weekend.”
Gabrielle ❤️ KevinME185