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Each fall, the Marriage Jubilee gathers couples from across the Diocese to celebrate their sacrament of marriage. Imagine attending 100 anniversary Masses at once.

The Marriage Jubilee, which was held Oct. 16 at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Albany (see pages 16-17 of The Evangelist's print edition), contains the witness of love, the joy of all those couples and the commitment they make daily as they live the vocation of marriage. These are just a fraction of the marriages that energize our faith communities.

To strengthen and encourage these vocations, the U.S. bishops began the multi-year National Pastoral Initiative for Marriage (NPIM) in 2004.

Last year, the bishops released the pastoral letter "Mar-riage: Love and Life in the Divine Plan" (see www.usccb.org). The letter is a theological and doctrinal foundation to support the other phases of the NPIM.

The bishops published the letter to help those planning to marry, those in a marriage and all those who help them.

Many facets of Church teachings on marriage are explored in the 65-page document. Citations are well footnoted so that further information can be referenced from the "Catechism of the Catholic Church," Vatican documents and Scripture. An abridged version has been released in a pamphlet format. Both are being published in Spanish. Recently, a study guide was added with worksheets for group discussion.

The equality of spouses is stressed early in the letter. At a time when individuality tends to be highly valued in mainstream society, the importance of equal partners collaborating to create a life together is a message not often heard. The Church recognizes a couple joined in marriage as a family unit.

Defining the sacrament's unitive nature, the letter describes the communion of persons in marriage as a relationship of mutual help and service, participating in God's self-giving love.

The letter describes "marriage as a reflection of the life of the Trinity," explaining that married love is modeled on it and participates in it, and celebrates its mystery in family life - which is, in turn, a "domestic Church."

As a microcosm of the Church, family life is a daily experience of God's unconditional love. The bishops express their "esteem for the gift of married life and love and that couples share so generously for the benefit of the Church and society."

The letter recognizes the challenges to marriage today and calls for support of marriage at all its stages. This begins early with children and follows through to our oldest members, who often lose a spouse.

It calls for care to marriages in difficulty and healing to those who have experienced divorce. Early in the initiative, the USCCB launched the website www.foryourmarraige.org. The Spanish language site www.portumatrimonio.org was added this year. Both are rich resources for all stages of marriage.

Through the NPIM, the bishops are encouraging faith communities to help build marriages. They commit themselves, as well. These websites and resources are easily accessible tools to help keep the foundation of marriage strong.

(Mary Fay is associate director for marriage ministry for the diocesan Office of Evangelization, Catechesis and Family Life. Call 453-6630 or email [email protected].)

(10/21/10) [[In-content Ad]]

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