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July 9, 2025Many a couple enters into the Sacrament of Matrimony, hoping to share a life together, maybe raise a new generation of Catholics, until death do they part.
Some, however, may find themselves in a relationship on the edge, a marriage not quite working, with a threat of divorce seemingly on the horizon down the road. While a serious situation, the end doesn’t have to be as dire as it seems.
Retrouvaille, a three-step program rooted in Catholic tradition, offers help and hope through improved communication designed to help couples reconnect and rediscover their love.
“It is not just for struggling marriages, it is also for people or marriages that want to reconnect,” said Lovette Rausch, who along with her husband Troy lead Retrouvaille programs for the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City, with the next workshop scheduled for Aug. 8-10 at the Catholic Pastoral Center.
Troy and Lovette are the coordinators of the program, along with Father Mark Mason, pastor of Saint Francis Xavier and Saint Gregory the Great Catholic churches in Enid, as well as the neighboring Saint Michael Catholic Church in Goltry.
Retrouvaille is a French term that means “reunion,” which is the point of the program – assisting a couple seeking help for their marriage. It’s different than traditional couples counseling.
“Counseling is a problem-solving experience,” Troy said, “where Retrouvaille is a relationship building experience. Retrouvaille is designed for couples who want to improve their marriage, couples who church in the church as well as couples who want to deepen their relationship.
“Our marriage was saved by Retrouvaille in such a way that we want to help and give out to save other marriages.”
According to the Retrouvaille website, “marriage is in crisis in today’s society, and it is driving a crisis of faith. Studies show that 72% of all American churches lack a substantive marriage ministry, while 74% have no ministry for newlyweds to help them through their first critical years of marriage.”
Retrouvaille consists of a three-phase program, beginning with a weekend experience, followed by 12 post-weekend sessions and ongoing monthly small group enrichment meetings.
“There is a lot of work, a lot of speakers,” Lovette said. “Typically, we have about 12 couples, but we can take in more than that, for sure.”
Couples interested in attending the Retrouvaille event in the archdiocese must register at helpourmarriage.org. Cost for the conference weekend is $300, which includes lodging and meals. For those who cannot attend in August, the next weekend will be Jan. 16-18.
Everett Brazil, III is a freelance writer for the Sooner Catholic.