Holy Matrimony
It’s scary to think how many Catholic marriages end up in divorce! It’s sad that no one wants to sacrifice themselves anymore or truly value the gift God has given us through the Sacrament of Marriage.
I will never forget the words of Father Michael of Sacred Heart Church in Clifton, NJ (He has since been relocated to another parish.) during our wedding ceremony. He told us that in order to have a good marriage we needed to mix together the right ingredients so the recipe would work. God had to remain in the center of our marriage as one of the main ingredients. Father Michael is a very special priest because he is an inspiration to everyone. Despite being blind, he is very active in the Church and plays the piano. He is dynamic and clearly is filled with the Holy Spirit.
I have been married over 15 years now and oh boy what a rollercoaster ride. I went to Catholic school most of my school years plus my parents never failed going to Church on Sundays and Holidays so I had a good foundation. Despite this, I strayed from God. Yet, He is so merciful and loving that every time I wanted to walk away from my marriage, He always found a way to keep us together. Of course, I didn’t see it then but now with my spiritual awakening I see how God was trying to save me from my myself.
Marriage was meant to be beautiful but we can’t do it alone. God has to be in the center of our marriage to withstand the test of time.
God gives you the graces necessary to bear your everyday little crosses. With God in the center, there will be no room for the devil to tempt, make weak or infiltrate any other negative behaviors.
Recently I was watching EWTN and I was watching Father Corabi. He was talking about marriage. He said that he was asked to counsel a couple that were in the process of preparing for the Sacrament of Marriage because the other priest felt that this couple had no clue of what they were getting themselves into. (I don’t remember the exact words but the lesson is as follows) Father Corabi started to ask them very difficult questions about why they wanted to get married, etc. The couple answered the same way that most people do. They were focused on getting the house, having kids and they were in love. Father Corabi didn’t receive the answer he was looking for. He asked, are you willing to do whatever it takes to make sure your spouse will obtain eternal salvation? Wow, I thought that was really deep!
For those that are already married, think about this…. If you died today…can you stand in front of God and answer Yes, I have helped my spouse live his life to obtain eternal salvation…..
For those that are getting ready to get married, contemplate this… Remember that when you stand in front of God and say I do, those two words come with an obligation to each other’s spiritual salvation.
Pray the Rosary, go to Holy Mass, receive the Sacraments of Reconciliation and the Body and Blood of Christ. A family that prays together stays together. Through prayer, you will receive the graces to overcome the hardships and withstand the test of time. But most importantly, your marriage will be blessed and you will rejoice together in Heaven one day.
Consecrate yourself, spouse and any children to The Holy Family. Let them be your guide and strength.
I will never forget the words of Father Michael of Sacred Heart Church in Clifton, NJ (He has since been relocated to another parish.) during our wedding ceremony. He told us that in order to have a good marriage we needed to mix together the right ingredients so the recipe would work. God had to remain in the center of our marriage as one of the main ingredients. Father Michael is a very special priest because he is an inspiration to everyone. Despite being blind, he is very active in the Church and plays the piano. He is dynamic and clearly is filled with the Holy Spirit.
I have been married over 15 years now and oh boy what a rollercoaster ride. I went to Catholic school most of my school years plus my parents never failed going to Church on Sundays and Holidays so I had a good foundation. Despite this, I strayed from God. Yet, He is so merciful and loving that every time I wanted to walk away from my marriage, He always found a way to keep us together. Of course, I didn’t see it then but now with my spiritual awakening I see how God was trying to save me from my myself.
Marriage was meant to be beautiful but we can’t do it alone. God has to be in the center of our marriage to withstand the test of time.
God gives you the graces necessary to bear your everyday little crosses. With God in the center, there will be no room for the devil to tempt, make weak or infiltrate any other negative behaviors.
Recently I was watching EWTN and I was watching Father Corabi. He was talking about marriage. He said that he was asked to counsel a couple that were in the process of preparing for the Sacrament of Marriage because the other priest felt that this couple had no clue of what they were getting themselves into. (I don’t remember the exact words but the lesson is as follows) Father Corabi started to ask them very difficult questions about why they wanted to get married, etc. The couple answered the same way that most people do. They were focused on getting the house, having kids and they were in love. Father Corabi didn’t receive the answer he was looking for. He asked, are you willing to do whatever it takes to make sure your spouse will obtain eternal salvation? Wow, I thought that was really deep!
For those that are already married, think about this…. If you died today…can you stand in front of God and answer Yes, I have helped my spouse live his life to obtain eternal salvation…..
For those that are getting ready to get married, contemplate this… Remember that when you stand in front of God and say I do, those two words come with an obligation to each other’s spiritual salvation.
Pray the Rosary, go to Holy Mass, receive the Sacraments of Reconciliation and the Body and Blood of Christ. A family that prays together stays together. Through prayer, you will receive the graces to overcome the hardships and withstand the test of time. But most importantly, your marriage will be blessed and you will rejoice together in Heaven one day.
Consecrate yourself, spouse and any children to The Holy Family. Let them be your guide and strength.
Pray daily for the vocation of marriage
Heavenly Father, through the intercession of the Holy Family, help us treasure the gift of marriage that reflects the love of Christ for the Church, where the self-giving love of husband and wife unites them more perfectly and cooperates in your plan for new life created in Your image. Help us support men and women in their vocation of marriage, especially in difficult times when they join their sufferings to the Cross. Help us uphold the institution of marriage in our society as the place where love is nurtured and family life begins. Help us acknowledge that our future depends on this love and on your providential care for us. Amen.
