Vocation - Marriage & Family

Father, you have made the union of man and woman so holy a mystery that it symbolizes the marriage of Christ and his Church….

Father, keep them always true to your commandments.  Keep them faithful in marriage and let them be living examples of Christian life.  Give them the strength which comes from the gospel so that they may be witnesses of Christ to others. Bless them with children and help them to be good parents.  May they live to see their children’s children.  And after a happy old age, grant them the fullness of life with the saints in the kingdom of heaven.
--RITE OF MARRIAGE

Rev. Benedict Groeschel offered some good advice to couples considering matrimony:

A marriage is made through the Providence of God.  Take your time and prayerfully go about it – if there are big obstacles…maybe you shouldn’t fight through it – maybe this is a message from God – maybe not… But give careful consideration to making such an important decision.

Couples should have shared values and goals.  Without shared values the marriage is an illusion and often leads to annulment, where a valid marriage didn’t really take place.  These were never really marriages at all and sadly enough, too many marriages are annullable today!

Although “Agape” the selfless love Christ showed by giving his life for us is difficult to achieve, a relationship should be unselfish and the couple should strive to get each other to heaven.

Marry with open eyes – if there is an accident and your fiancé is injured and it will change the life you have planned together ---have open eyes ---maybe it will be beautiful –maybe you shouldn’t do it.

And in ending he spoke of “Virtue of Prudence” – use what you have to lead a good life which will lead to eternal life.

Franciscan Friar of the Renewal and EWTN personality, Fr. Groeschel was a speaker in July of 2007 at Christendom College’s Summer Institute on Marriage and the Family.