New initiative aids married couples in living the sacramentality of their vocation
Jubilant Marriages is an initiative from the archdiocesan Office of Marriage and Family Life that offers resources to married couples in helping them recognize the gift and sacramental nature of their marriages.
It’s a local response to the U.S. bishops’ 2021 document, “Called to the Joy of Love,” a national framework for marriage and family life ministry. Realizing that married couples and families are the heart of parish life and discipleship, the bishops challenged each other to develop ways to assist Catholic couples throughout the various stages of their married and family life.
Jubilant Marriages also includes spiritual and practical resources for singles who are preparing to live the vocation of marriage, as well as resources for priests and parishes to build community in the parish around marriage.
Jerry and Julie Cinco of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish in St. Charles have been involved in marriage enrichment from the beginning of their marriage 55 years ago. The two have participated in Worldwide Marriage Encounter activities since the ministry’s beginnings in St. Louis in the 1970s.
Through their ongoing involvement in marriage ministry, the Cincos find opportunities to talk to young couples about living as a visible sign of the sacrament of marriage.
For the Cincos, that looks like praying every day, attending daily and Sunday Masses and praying the Rosary together. “God put us together as a couple, and as much as possible we try to live our life as a couple,” Julie said.
The Cincos shared these practical takeaways for married couples to enrich their marriages and live out the sacramental nature of their vocation.
Love is a decision
Love has to be a decision, especially in the ups and downs of marriage. “I don’t always feel loving,” Jerry said, “but then I look at the crucifix and realize love is a decision. When we mess up or offend, are we being humble enough to say, ‘Will you forgive me?’”
Pray together
In the early days of their marriage, the Cincos prayed together using memorized prayers. Over the years, their routine developed to include spontaneous prayer. The couple starts and ends each day with prayer, and Julie said “it opens our hearts, and especially when praying over our difficult times, when we’re not seeing eye to eye, it gives us graces and God watches over us.”
The dialogue
Marriage Encounter encourages “the dialogue,” a daily method of communication that encourages spouses to share their feelings through individual written love letters, which are discussed together. The dialogue can be simple and center on the events of that day or touch on a disagreement or some other interaction in their marriage. “It gives us time to think, reflect and open our hearts and share with each other,” Julie said.
Learn more
Jubilant Marriages: www.archstl.org/jubilant-marriages
