Every year at the beginning of February the Church turns its attention to the sacredness of the sacrament of matrimony as it celebrates National Marriage Week (Feb. 7-14) and World Marriage Day (Sunday, Feb. 9). Both observances serve as an opportunity to focus on building a culture of life and love that begins with supporting and promoting marriage and the family. The theme for 2020 is "Stories from the Domestic Church."
“Marriage is a lifelong full partnership of mutual and exclusive fidelity that is established by mutual consent between a man and a woman, ordered toward the good of the spouses and for the procreation of offspring.” The United States Conference of Bishops Pastoral Letter, “Marriage: Love and Life in the Divine Plan,” also reminds us that “marriage is not merely a private institution. It is the foundation for the family, where children learn the values and virtues that will make good Christians as well as good citizens. The importance of marriage for children and for the upbringing of the next generation highlights the importance of marriage for all society.
During this year’s celebration of National Marriage Week and World Marriage Day, let us be sure to take time to joyfully reflect on the importance of married life. And let us pray that married couples draw upon the grace of the sacrament of marriage to always bear witness to God’s love and also pray that more couples will commit to the vocation of marriage.