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Matrimony

United in Love, Strengthened for Service

In Christian marriage, The love between spouses in Marriage frees us for spouses model the love and marriage reflects the love of sacrifice and self-gift. self-gift of . By giving Christ for the . During the exchange of vows, the couple of themselves and serving The mutual love of spouses reflects God’s own promises to give of themselves to each other one another, their family, and love for humanity (Catechism of the Catholic and to love and support each other despite community, they help one Church [CCC], no. 1604). In Scripture, their shortcomings and failings. Spouses help another live out Christ’s call God’s “communion of love” with his people each another “overcome self-absorption, to discipleship, love, and is seen in the covenant he forms with them, egoism, [and] pursuit of one’s own pleasure” service. Marriage provides as well as in ’ self-offering on the Cross. so that they can serve others in imitation of a foundation for a family The covenant of love into which spouses enter Christ (CCC, no. 1609; Compendium, no. committed to community, in marriage reflects the love of Christ for the 219). With Christ’s help, spouses are able to solidarity, and Jesus’ mission Church and his self-gift on behalf of humanity love, forgive, and serve (CCC, no. 1642). in the world. (Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the The Nuptial Blessing especially highlights how Church [Compendium], no. 219). the couple is called to care not only for each another but also for children, family, and the Marriage reflects the communion wider community. and union of the . Marriage strengthens us for During the Rite of Marriage, the couple service in the world. exchanges rings as a sign of love and fidelity in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy The love between spouses helps them Spirit. Like the members of the Trinity, the to be signs of Christ’s love in the world united couple also becomes a “community of (Compendium, no. 220). Their love for one persons.” Just as the Father, Son, and Spirit another is realized in “the common work of are united in “pure relationality,” mutual love, watching over creation” (CCC, no. 1604). and self-gift (Pope Benedict XVI, Caritas in They help each other live their vocation as Veritate [Charity in Truth], no. 54), Christian lay people, seeking God’s Kingdom in their spouses are called to give of themselves to daily lives by working for justice, peace, one another (Pope John Paul II, Familiaris and respect for the life and dignity of all Consortio [On the Family], no. 19). (Compendium, no. 220; Familiaris Consortio, no. 47). Christian spouses, the Compendium notes, are to be “witnesses to a new social consciousness inspired by and the Paschal Mystery” (no. 220).

Sacraments and Social Mission Marriage provides the responsibilities” (CCC, no. 2224). The rights of families and foundation for family and the Parents train children, from childhood married couples should be formation of “new citizens of on, to recognize God’s love for all, to prioritized in public policy. human society.” care for “their neighbors’ needs, material The well-being of individuals and and spiritual,” to share in common with From marriage comes the family, “in societies is linked to “the healthy state others, and to be involved in the local which new citizens of human society of conjugal and family life” (Gaudium community (Apostolicam Actuositatem are born” and made children of God et Spes [Pastoral Constitution on the [Decree on the Apostolate of Lay through the grace of the in Church in the Modern World], no. People], no. 30). (Lumen Gentium [Dogmatic 47). Therefore, we must “enact policies Constitution on the Church], no. 11). promoting the centrality and the integrity Marriage and the family The home is called the “domestic of the family founded on marriage inspire solidarity with the church” (CCC, no. 1666)—the place between a man and a woman” and that human family. where parents teach faith, love, justice, “assume responsibility for [the family’s] and concern for others to their children. In the section called “The Family and economic and fiscal needs” Caritas( in Parents are “the principal and first Society,” the Catechism notes that Veritate, no. 44). educators of their children” (CCC, being a member of a family helps us In particular, we should preserve no. 1653). The family is the community to broaden our definition of who is the rights of the family in civil laws and where children “learn moral values, included in our family. In our fellow policies and work to ensure “that in begin to honor God, and make good citizens, we learn to see “the children social administration consideration is use of freedom” (CCC, no. 2207). of our country,” in the baptized, “the given to the requirements of families children of our mother the Church,” in the matter of housing, education of The family gives testimony and in every human person, “a son or children, working conditions, social to faith, love, unity, peace, daughter” of the Father. Our relationships security and taxes” (Apostolicam and justice. within the immediate family provide a Actuositatem, no. 11). We should also foundation so that our relationships with work to ensure that migrants’ right to live The married couple—itself a sign of all our neighbors become “personal.” together as a family is safeguarded. grace—works to form a family that We come to recognize our neighbor is a “sign of unity for the world” and not as a “unit” but as a “someone” Copyright © 2013, United States Conference of a “witness to the Kingdom” of justice who “deserves particular attention and Catholic Bishops, Washington, DC. All rights reserved. and peace (Compendium, no. 220, Permission is hereby granted to duplicate this work without respect” (no. 2212). In this way, the adaptation for non-commercial use. Familiaris Consortio, no. 48). The work for justice, life, and dignity begins home is the place where each person in the family. learns “solidarity and communal

QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION

• As a spouse or family member, how can you • What can you do in your family to provide a imitate the love of Christ and communion of the strong foundation for faith, peace, solidarity with Holy Trinity in your own relationships? the global human family, and a commitment to the life and dignity of the human person?

Learn about the other ! Visit “Resources and Tools” at www.usccb.org/jphd.