Joyful commitment of sacramental marriage
Thursday, September 04 2008
(CCCB – Ottawa)…What can young committed couples do that will best enhance their love for one another? The Theology Commission of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops suggests there is nothing better than the sacrament of marriage.
In their newly released pastoral message to young couples on marriage and family entitled “What Does Marriage Add to Your Love?”, the Bishops write, “We wish to encourage and support you in your search to fulfill your deepest desires and find happiness. We suggest some thoughts for your reflection, and share some insights on Christian marriage that have been offered by other couples engaged on the same journey.”
(CCCB – Ottawa)…What can young committed couples do that will best enhance their love for one another? The Theology Commission of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops suggests there is nothing better than the sacrament of marriage.
In their newly released pastoral message to young couples on marriage and family entitled “What Does Marriage Add to Your Love?”, the Bishops write, “We wish to encourage and support you in your search to fulfill your deepest desires and find happiness. We suggest some thoughts for your reflection, and share some insights on Christian marriage that have been offered by other couples engaged on the same journey.”
In developing their pastoral message, the Bishops consulted young couples across Canada. What the Bishops have to say is a result of dialogue with the life experience of these couples. Most of the quotations that appear in the text come from these couples.
The Bishops want to help young people considering marriage to understand the Catholic perspective, in particular with regard to four important dimensions:
- Marriage is a call from God;
- What the sacrament adds to human love;
- The meaning of freedom, fidelity, stability and fruitfulness;
- The mission of the married couple.
Bishop Luc Bouchard of Saint Paul, Alberta, Chairman of the Theology Commission, said, “Our hope in preparing this pastoral message was to present young couples with a positive and true understanding of Christian marriage, and how it can enhance their love for one another and for their families. We are grateful to the many young couples who spoke with us as we prepared this message. They give witness to what is possible when Christ is welcomed into their married lives. We hope what we and these young couples have to say will help others discern the call to sacramental marriage in their own lives. ”
The members of the Theology Commission expressed their wish the pastoral letter be widely available to all young couples considering marriage, become a useful component of marriage preparation programs, and even encourage reflection among married couples.
Check for this pastoral message at your parish or diocese. It is also available from the Publications Service of the CCCB, www.cccbpublications.ca.