Three Tips to Grow in Marriage

By:  Anne DeSantis

The St. Raymond Nonnatus Foundation for Freedom, Family, and Faith is a non-profit 501C3 organization making pastoral outreach to families in crisis. We were formed through the Mercedarian Religious Order in 2015, and since that time we have worked to make pastoral outreach within this realm.

Our Mission

There are four-tiers to our mission.  Number one is toward famiies in crisis.  Second to this is marriage enrichment, and third is outreach to Catholilcs affected by divorce/separation. In 2021, we did surveys to find out which areas of ministry were most in need in terms of our free services.  After the survey results came in, we re-determined this three-fold mission. 

Three Simple Tips to Grow in the Sacrament of Holy Matrimony

Matrimony is a Sacrament of the Catholic Church, and as a non-profit who cares deeply about marriage and family, we take this aspect very seriously.  Below are three simple ways you and your spouse can grow as a Catholic couple.

Understand Your Catholic Faith

Understanding the Sacrament of Marriage fully helps to make your marriage better and to grow.  Many couples go through the process of Pre-Cana at church, but even after this, they do not understand the covenantal aspects of this beautiful sacrament.  Marriage is meant to last a lifetime and/or until one spouse passes away.  It is lifelong, and it is permanent.  If you are not as educated as you should be on marriage, commit yourself to find out more. Here is a link to the USCCB which is a good place to start, however don't stop there.  Continue your education on the Sacrament of Holy Matrimony:

USCCB Marriage

Attend Sunday Mass/Pray

Attending Sunday Mass is the most important way to not only fulfill the obiligation to attend Mass, but to grow in faith, hope and love as a couple.  Make the commitment to go to Mass every week. Couples who practice their faith together in an active way will grow together in commitment to God and to the church.  It is the most important thing one can do to be a part of the mission of the church and live out your baptismal call.  In addition to Mass, making a dedication to prayer is integral.  Start in small ways such as prayer at meals and before bed, and consider praying more often together.  Most importantly, make your faith the most important part of your relationship, and you wil definitely prosper spiritually as a couple!

On-Going Learning

Once you have grown in terms of understanding your faith, attending Mass, and daily prayer, make a promise to youself and to your spouse to keep learning about your Catholic faith as a couple.  There are many wonderful resources to grow togther as a couple available through the Catholic Church. Places such as the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops is a great place to start. See below for a link:

USCCB Resources

In addition, our foundation has resources on our Outside Resources page of our website, be sure to check-it-out:

Outside Resources

Don't end here, be sure to learn more about your Catholic faith, and the beauty of the Sacrament of Holy Matrimony.  Do you have questions on anything to do with the sacrament or how you can grow in faith?  The St. Raymond Nonnatus Foundation offers free pastoral consultations with a Mercedarian friar. You are entitled to as many on-line/cell call meetings as needed, and everything we offer is free.  Make your appointment by clicking the link below:

Free Pastoral Consultation(s)

Stay in touch with us at the St. Raymond Nonnatus Foundation!  We value our relationship with you.  Have a blessed Advent/Christmas Season 2021! 

Learn more about us on our website at Nonnatus.org.  God bless!