The Sacrament of Holy Matrimony
The Sacrament of Marriage is a call to holiness. It is a call to intimacy, intimacy with your spouse, and intimacy with God. It is a call to give of oneself freely, faithfully, fruitfully, and totally. Because it is a call to a radical gift of self, marriage isn’t easy. It isn’t always picture perfect.
But it sure is beautiful.
It is beautiful because in marriage we get to become more like Christ in laying down our lives for another. It is beautiful because it “helps us to overcome self-absorption, egoism, pursuit of one’s own pleasure, and to open oneself up to the other, to mutual aid and to self-giving.” (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1609) It is beautiful because it is an image of the Covenant God has made with us, His beloved children. It is a foreshadowing of the union we will have with God in Heaven.
Dating
Dating, when done well, can be so much fun! It allows couples to interact in various settings, experience new things, learn how to communicate well, and the meaning of commitment. Check out how to date well here.
NFP
Natural Family Planning (NFP) is a scientific and natural means of either achieving or postponing pregnancy. It is effective, it is hormone free, it is good for your marriage, and it aligns with God’s will. Learn more about NFP and find classes in the area.
Planning the Big Day
The big question was asked, and the answer was a joy filled “Yes!” Praise God! A lot goes into planning not only a wedding, but a marriage. Check out these resources to help you to prepare for your future as a husband or wife.
Family Prayer
We often hear, “The family that prays together, stays together,” but what does praying as a family look like? Mike and Alicia Hernon of the Messy Family Project address this challenge families face in their podcast on family prayer.
Restore the Glory
Dr. Bob Schuchts and Jake Khym, MA discuss how marriage is an intimate union of two broken people and discuss how a couple can grow and heal together during the journey of their marriage. Listen to the podcast.
Retrouvaille
No Marriage is beyond hope. No matter how much you are hurting, there is grace in the Sacrament of Marriage and you can find healing. Retrouvaille is a lifeline for marriages. Check out this program to help couples heal and renew their hurting marriages.
The matrimonial covenant, by which a man and a woman establish between themselves a partnership of the whole of life, is by its nature ordered toward the good of the spouses and the procreation and education of offspring; this covenant between baptized persons has been raised by Christ the Lord to the dignity of a sacrament.
Catechism of the Catholic Church 1601
Looking for more resources or to meet with Father about Marriage Prep
(Couples desiring to be married should begin their preparation 6-12 months prior to their anticipated wedding date.)
Two Rivers Catholic Community 