Retrouvaille Program: Who We Are
Retrouvaille - Unique Among Marriage Programs
Retrouvaille (pronounced “Retro-Vie,” French for "Rediscovery") is an international community committed to helping couples heal their marriages. We believe every marriage deserves the chance to heal and thrive. Retrouvaille is where we found hope, and we are dedicated to helping couples worldwide find hope. It is a program that can truly be life-changing.
Un líder en ministerios matrimoniales
Since 1977 Retrouvaille has been a leading marriage ministry. Our volunteers find meaning in supporting others, which strengthens their own marriages as they serve others.
Designed for All Couples Seeking Renewal
Whether you're struggling with communication, considering separation, or facing other challenges, Retrouvaille offers support for couples at every level of difficulty. Sessions are available worldwide and begin with a weekend experience, followed by additional sessions and ongoing support to continue healing and solidify progress.
From minor issues to serious crises, over a hundred thousand couples have found renewed hope in Retrouvaille. The program is rooted in Christian values and Catholic tradition but welcomes couples of all faiths or no faith. Optional religious services are available during the weekend.
JP & Sev - Retrouvaille volunteer couple
Program Overview
A Lifeline for Marriages in Need
Retrouvaille is designed to help couples heal, rebuild trust, and restore love. We often succeed where other efforts have failed.
The program is grounded in practical tools for better communication and deeper connection. Presenting couples share their personal stories of overcoming struggles, offering hope through real-life experiences rather than traditional counseling. Many professionals recommend Retrouvaille as a foundational step for improving communication and restoring connection in a positive, supportive environment. Retrouvaille is a safe space with no forced sharing.
Not just a weekend, we are a transformative 3-phase program
Phase One: Weekend Experience
The weekend is not counseling or group therapy; instead, it focuses on helping couples rebuild communication and understanding through a structured program led by volunteers who have faced similar challenges. All interactions are private between you and your spouse, allowing you to prioritize your relationship away from daily routines. This challenging yet rewarding experience provides a valuable opportunity to invest in each other.
Phase Two: Post-Weekend Sessions
While the initial weekend is crucial, the post-weekend sessions are equally important for addressing deeper issues and fostering healing over time. A series of follow-up sessions offered over several weeks strengthens the communication skills learned on the weekend and provides the tools to address root issues, allowing couples to continue their growth, resolve conflicts, and strengthen their marriage long-term.
Phase Three: Monthly Support (C.O.R.E.)
The final phase, C.O.R.E. (Continuing Our Retrouvaille Experience), offers monthly small-group meetings to reinforce communication skills as couples continue to heal. These monthly small-group meetings offer ongoing support and encouragement to continue healing and strengthen marriage bonds.
How much does it cost?
Nonprofit and Volunteer-Driven
Unlike the for-profit marriage counseling industry, Retrouvaille is entirely volunteer-run with no paid staff. We are completely self-supporting, which allows us to remain affordable and inclusive. The registration fee is per couple and non-refundable but is not the full program cost, which includes your meals and lodging. Assistance is available for those in financial crisis.
Fees don’t fully cover program costs, so couples are invited to make a donation during the weekend, helping to support future couples in need and fill the gap for those unable to give. We operate without funding from churches or denominations. Our only funding comes from weekend fees and donations from past participants who support the program’s mission of marriage healing.
Limited Spaces
Our weekend spaces fill up quickly, so early registration is encouraged. Couples can reserve their spot with an initial registration fee, with payment plans if needed.
Carlos & Mayra - Retrouvaille volunteer couple
How do I approach my spouse about Retrouvaille?
Talking to Your Spouse
Participation from both spouses is essential in Retrouvaille. If only one spouse feels the need for change, it can help to discuss signs that may indicate issues, such as frequent arguments, lack of intimacy, unresolved conflicts, or feelings of distance.
Take the Quiz - Is Retrouvaille for You?
Are you discussing your issues but not finding resolution?
Have you tried counseling without making progress?
Have you drifted apart?
Do you spend more time apart than together?
Is interference from in-laws or family causing friction?
Are there anger issues or instances of verbal or emotional abuse?
Are you dealing with financial strain or job loss?
Are you struggling with parenting or blended family challenges?
Does your marriage lack emotional or sexual intimacy?
Does one of you feel “out of love” or unhappy?
Is depression, trauma, or illness straining your relationship?
Is caring for a parent, child, or other family member affecting your marriage?
Are you dealing with addiction recovery—gambling, alcohol, drugs, or online habits?
Has there been emotional, online, or physical infidelity?
If you answered yes to any of these questions, then we can help!
Key Questions to Discuss Together
- On a scale of 1 to 10, how satisfied are we in our marriage?
- How important is our marriage to each of us?
- Are our main needs being met (e.g., affection, security, intimacy)?
Tips for Starting the Conversation
- Be open and honest about your desire for a better relationship.
- Share your feelings gently, and ask if your spouse feels the same.
- Reassure them that Retrouvaille is not counseling or group therapy but a unique program to improve communication.
- , Explore the program’s benefits together, and ask, "Is the hope of healing worth one weekend?"
- Let them know that Retrouvaille helps couples facing marital challenges by teaching respectful communication.
This Is the Program You Have Been Looking For
We are Building Strong Marriages
In a society where divorce is often seen as the norm, Retrouvaille is dedicated to supporting marriages and promoting reconciliation and growth. While not all marriages can be saved, many couples benefit from the effective communication tools taught in the program.
There Is Strength in Asking for Help
Seeking help for your marriage can be challenging, but it’s a sign of strength. Many counselors recommend Retrouvaille to their clients as a first step in the healing process.
Retrouvaille Is Different
Divorce should be a last resort. Many couples who feel they have "tried everything" often find they’ve repeated the same ineffective patterns. Retrouvaille offers the opportunity for genuine change and improvement in relationships. By investing in each other and moving past hurt, couples can rediscover a positive connection and are able to make a fresh start through the program.
Our Teams Share Their Personal Struggles to Help Others
Our weekends are led by a team of three couples who have faced significant challenges in their own marriages and a priest or minister. They share their personal stories of disillusionment, reconciliation, and healing to inspire hope in participants.
Our presenters are not professional counselors but individuals who have benefited from the Retrouvaille program themselves. Their presentations focus on sharing experiences rather than lecturing, emphasizing tools like communication, conflict management, and forgiveness as essential for a healthy relationship.
After each presentation, couples are given time for private reflection and communication. The weekend fosters open and honest dialogue, free from group sharing requirements except for a brief introduction at the start.
We recognize that each marriage is unique. We equip couples with the tools we found beneficial in our own relationships. While the presenting teams come from various Christian denominations, the program focuses on marriage rather than specific religious beliefs, welcoming couples of all faiths or no faith at all.
Ralph & Monica - Retrouvaille volunteer couple
Does it work? Proven Results
Success and Program Overview
Retrouvaille International conducted a five-year survey with 5,236 participants. The results demonstrate a strong success rate in improving marriages:
- 76% are still married to the same spouse five years after attending.
- 95% would recommend the program to others.
Top Benefits: Participants noted improved communication, a deeper understanding of each other and themselves, closer relationships, better conflict management, and strengthened faith.
Common Reasons for Participation: Many couples participated because of frequent disagreements, infidelity, financial stress, and lifestyle changes.
The Four Stages of Marriage: Where are you?
- Romance: Initial feelings of love and connection
- Disillusionment: Realization of differences and unmet expectations
- Misery: Increased distance, frustration, and potential thoughts of separation
- Awakening to Joy: Learning communication tools to restore love and harmony
Many couples give up before they reach the final stage, but Retrouvaille provides the skills and support necessary for healing and building a joyful relationship. If you are in stage 2 or 3, Retrouvaille is for YOU.
Join the many couples who have successfully transformed their marriages through the Retrouvaille program
If you’re wondering whether it can help your marriage, the only way to find out is to give it a try. Reach out to the caring Retrouvaille volunteers in your area via phone or email with any questions you may have. These volunteers have experienced similar struggles and can relate to your feelings of hopelessness and frustration. They are dedicated to providing the support and answers you need. All communications are kept strictly confidential.