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Holy Marriage!

This year, Catechetical Sunday (September 19, 2010) focuses on the theme, “Matrimony: Sacrament of Enduring Love.” Marriage seems to be a big theme in the lives of our young adults. Whether they are seeking “the one,” newly married, or experiencing trouble in their marriages, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops has put together a website to help the faithful be “champions of holy and healthy marriage.” At the For Your Marriage website http://foryourmarriage.org, you will find great resources, can sign up for their newsletter, and read personal stories of faithful Catholics. Here are some other quick ways in which we can help our young adults envision marriage as an sacrament of enduring love:

  • Include marriage in your programs that focus on vocational discernment. Provide opportunities for young adults to discern marriage as a vocation, not simply as a life stage—retreats for singles not focused on their unmarried state—but on what God is calling them to do in the moment can be great discussion starters!
  • Send an anniversary card to couples who have been married in your parish in the last year (assuming you have their address of course!). Include a prayer card or other resource to help them grow together in Christ.
  • Connect the newly married in your parish to one another. We all know which months bring the wedding bonanzas in our parishes—why not have a celebration that brings together the newly married so they can meet one another as well as “veteran couples” in your parish? Do not let the wedding day be the last time you see the new Mr. and Mrs.!
  • Do you have engaged couples coming to you to be married in the church? Welcome them with open arms! Embrace this opportunity to not just educate them on the sacrament, but to introduce them to the vibrant life in your community. Understandably there are logistics for every parish to consider when scheduling weddings, but do not make this the time to impose a litany of monetary or legalistic requirements (or at least provide an explanation for the requirements you DO have).
  • Be a voice of mercy and compassion when marriages go astray—be the healing presence of Christ and blind that judging eye that can get in the way. The first five years bring with them the greatest risk of trials—let the newly married know that you are there to help and listen.

Have other ideas or questions? Contact NCYAMA at info@ncyama.org.