Pope Francis on Marriage

MOMENTS FOR MARRIED COUPLE

The Vatican Document AMORIS LAETITIA (The Joy of Love) exhorts married couples to have quality time with each other, to be present to one another, even by sharing moments of meaningful silence.

The advice of the Holy Father on quality time is also very helpful. “Young [or probably, even the not so young] married couples should be encouraged to develop a routine that gives a healthy sense of closeness and stability through shared daily rituals. These could include a morning kiss, an evening blessing, waiting at the door to welcome each other home, taking trips together and sharing household chores. Yet, it also helps to break the routine with a party, and to enjoy family celebrations of anniversaries and special events. We need these moments of cherishing God’s gifts and renewing our zest for life. As long as we can celebrate, we are able to rekindle our love, to free it from monotony and to color our daily routine with hope” (Amoris Laetitia, 226).

MARRIAGE AND MATERIALISM

Pope Francis laments the preparation for marriage that is highly influenced by materialism, as it tends to “concentrate on invitations, clothes, the party and any number of other details that tend to drain not only the budget but energy and joy as well.” 

The words of the Holy Father on this regard are literally exhortative: “Have the courage to be different. Don’t let yourselves get swallowed up by a society of consumption and empty appearances. What is important is the love you share, strengthened and sanctified by grace. You are capable of opting for a more modest and simple celebration in which love takes precedence over everything else. Pastoral workers and the entire community can help make this priority the norm rather than the exception” (Amoris Laetitia, 212).