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"Married life is a process of growth, in which each spouse is God’s means of helping the other to mature… Fostering growth means helping a person to shape his or her own identity. Love is thus a kind of craftsmanship… At every new stage, they can keep ‘forming’ one another. Love makes each wait for the other with the patience of a craftsman, a patience which comes from God." - Pope Francis, Amoris Laetitia, 221

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National Marriage Week takes place 7-14 February this year, each Marriage Week has a theme. Love is the central and the most fundamental aspect of the Sacrament of Marriage. St John Paul II stated that “Love is the fundamental and innate vocation of every human being” (Familiaris Consortio 1981). Read more about the theme for 2023 – 'Marriage… one flesh, given and received' here.

Speaking about the upcoming celebration our Marriage & Family Life Adviser Katherine said:

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‍"For many of us being married is the manner in which we live out the calling from our Lord to live our Christian life – our vocation. Why not take some time, particularly during this week, to reflect with your spouse on the joys of being married, and give thanks to God for the gifts He has given you."

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The fundamental message of Marriage Week is that marriage is worth investing in, because all the research shows that stable families make for a happier society. It’s also really important to keep working on a marriage. Couples who do so are more likely to stay together. All God’s people are called to live a life of holiness through their vocation. Spouses, through the vocation to marriage, should follow their own path to holiness, which is sustained by the grace of the Sacrament.

Sycamore are offering a special four week online course for engaged couples who have completed their marriage preparation course and want to continue exploring their faith together, and for married couples to enrich their friendship and love. The sessions explore happiness, prayer, the Mass, and the meaning of love, with special discussion questions that allow couples to share and reflect together. You can find out more here.