The Catechism teaches us about marriage: “The matrimonial covenant, by which a man and a woman establish between themselves a partnership of the whole of life, is by its nature ordered toward the good of the spouses and the procreation and education of offspring; this covenant between baptized persons has been raised by Christ the Lord to the dignity of a sacrament.” (1601)

Marriage existed from the beginning of the human race and is good because it is part of the natural order created by God. Our Lord built on this created goodness by raising marriage to the dignity of a sacrament.

Men and women have always fallen in love with each other, made their home together and had children. Many societies have understood that such an arrangement should be permanent, and that the intimate union of the marriage act should only be allowed in such a permanent relationship, vowed publicly and recognised by law.

Our Lord clearly upheld the indissolubility of marriage against the laxist teachers of his day, but He also brought something much greater by referring to the original created meaning of marriage and making this union itself a means of holiness.

It is sad that many Catholics refuse to receive the sacramental grace of marriage, choosing to live in a state that objectively contradicts the teaching of Jesus Christ. May Our Lord help us to encourage others to benefit from the graces that He won for us by His passion and death on the Cross.