Bishop Solis: Marriage is the foundation of society

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Bishop Oscar A. Solis

SALT LAKE CITY — Our Church teaches that a healthy and holy marriage and family is the foundation of a healthy and holy society. To strengthen the unity of marriage, and the spirituality of couples, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishop has set aside Feb. 7-14 as National Marriage Week. I join my brother bishops urging Catholics to participate in this important week.

In his 2016 apostolic exhortation Amoris Laetitia (The Joy of Love), Pope Frances calls for "a broader vision and a renewed awareness of the importance of marriage and the family." He described “marriage and family life as an expression of the journey of faith and transformative life of Christ, which all disciples are called to embrace.” He stated that marriage is one of the greatest gifts of God’s creation – man and woman were created in God’s image and likeness, and in marriage they cleave together, becoming one flesh. (#9) As a result, couples help build God’s kingdom of love, unity and peace in our world.

The Holy Father, at the beginning of the document, used the examples of families and marriages in the Scriptures to emphasize his point. He also emphasized the need for couples and families to cultivate Christian virtues, especially love, citing St. Paul’s letter to the Corinthians (1:13:4-7) as a point of reference for how to practice these virtues in a contemporary family and complex relationships. (#4) Pope Francis further highlighted the importance of God in marriage and family life relationships. 

National Marriage Week is a reminder for all of us to pray for and support married couples in their challenges and struggles, especially during this time of division, economic downturn and pandemic. With less social interaction and the isolation that can result, couples may be facing unusual strain. We pray that they may persevere to preserve the unity and spirituality of marriage and family life and its mission of transforming lives, society and the world that is reflective of the Kingdom of God.

The Diocese of Salt Lake City is hosting an online seminar for married couples on Feb. 13. This will be followed by a renewal of vows at St. Peter and St. Paul Church, at which I will officiate. For information, see the article on p. 1, or visit the diocesan website, www.dioslc.org.

In addition, Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone, the head of the USCCB Committee on Laity, Marriage, Family Life, and Youth, will lead a rosary for married couples and families live-streamed on Wednesday, Feb. 10, at 2 p.m. (EST) on the For Your Marriage Facebook page.

Another Facebook activity will be the “Conversation on Fatherhood and Spousal Love,” on Friday, Feb. 12, at 2 p.m. (EST).  This will be a live-streamed discussion between the associate director for Clergy, Consecrated Life, and Vocations, Fr. Daniel Hanley, and the director of Laity, Marriage, Family Life, and Youth, Dominic Lombardi as they discuss fatherhood and spousal love, using Saint Joseph as their example.

Let us celebrate National Marriage Week with our prayerful support for the enrichment of all married couples, for those who are preparing for their marriage and for their families. May God  bless them and become witnesses of his unity, holiness and love in our society and the world.