Marriage Preparation | Married Couples | When a Marriage Ends    

Marriage has always been the way of life for the vast majority of adult women and men.  The shape of marriage has changed at different times and in various cultures.  But there would seem to be a need in the human heart for a love that is faithful and lasting

There are many ways of thinking about the human phenomenon of marriage.  It can be seen as a good social arrangement that gives a high level of security to the couple themselves and to their children.  It can be seen as an important sexual arrangement that helps to fulfill a physical and emotional need and which helps to reduce the risk of sexually transmitted diseases.  Marriage is also seen as the natural development of falling in love where there is a strong desire to share that love for the rest of a couple’s lives.  

A Sacred way

These and many others, are important aspects of marriage.  As Catholics we share with all the other Christian Churches and with other faiths a firm belief in the special sacredness of marriage.  Right through the Scriptures, from the Book of Genesis to the Book of Revelations Marriage is seen to have a very special place in God’s Plan for the world.  Marriage is held up as one of the principle images of how God loves us and wants to relate to us.  The two qualities of this love are fidelity and permanence. It is not a love that runs smoothly all the time.  But the love is always there and can be developed. 

A Sacramental way

As Catholics we also believe that marriage is a Sacrament, a source of Christ’s presence for the world.  This belief gives a great dignity to the sexual love of husband and wife.  We cherish our married couples as one of the most important treasures we have in the Church.  We acknowledge a responsibility to all our married couples to support them in their love so that their marriage can be as fruitful and life giving as possible right through their lives.

A need to prepare

Marriage Preparation is an important aspect of this care for marriage that we have.  At times couples don’t see the need for preparation.  Sometimes even priests don’t seem to see the need.  But it is a very important part of the whole development of marriage.  If you would like to know more about this and to know what is available for marriage preparation in Ireland click on Marriage Preparation.  

A need for support

A wedding is only the beginning of a marriage.  Couples need help in growing in their love and in developing their relationship.  It is said that a successful couple creates 15-20 marriages with the same person in the course of a lifetime.  They cannot do this on their own.  We all need the support of others.  At times we need the input of others to help us know where we are ourselves.  There are many very good support systems for married couples in the Church.  We in Love is for Life Trust have been working on these.  Other groups have also done very good work on this.  If you want to know more click here on Married Couples.  

A need for compassion

Of course no marriage lasts forever.  The wedding vows acknowledge this – till death do us part.  The death of a spouse is a very traumatic experience for someone.  This person with whom you have shared your life in intimacy and trust has gone.  Your life cannot be the same again.  The same is true when a marriage ends because of separation or divorce.  It is always a serious break in a person’s life.  In these situations we also need to support one another.  If you want to know what is available for these circumstances please click on this button When a marriage ends.

Marriage Preparation | Married Couples | When a Marriage Ends