Jackie Francois Angel - Forever

On October 18, 2015, Louis and Zlie Martin, the parents of the beloved Saint Thrse of Lisieux, became canonized saints in the Catholic Church. It was a historic event because for the first time in history the Church canonized a married couple together at the same time.

These two werent recognized as saints just because they raised awesome kids. (Out of nine children, five survived to adulthood and they all became nuns!) No one is born a saint. Louis and Zlie understood that holiness consisted in offering themselves daily to Christ and allowing him to slowly transform them from the inside out. What this humble couple has shown to the world is that the graces God desires to pour out are not limited to priests and nuns, but are available to all the faithful, including those called to the sacred vocation of marriage.

It was Louis and Zlies lived example of simplicity, devotion to one another, and fidelity in always putting God first that sanctified their marriage and eventually their children. They lived the spousal meaning of the body before Saint John Paul II ever coined the phrase. It is providential that the Church has elevated this powerful couple as a witness of holy matrimony at a time when marriage in our culture faces serious struggles.

This saintly couple can answer the question you may now have: Where do we go from here?

We hope you have grown in a general understanding of what John Paul II taught in his profound catechesis on the dignity of the body and human sexuality. We hope youve learned more about authentic love, and how the vows and promises we make on our wedding day provide a roadmap to love our spouse freely, totally, faithfully, and fruitfully.

We also hope that youve grown in greater knowledge of the gift of your spouse and maybe even had a few laughs along the way. There is so much more that can be said about the theology of the body, and thankfully many other scholars, speakers, and writers continue to plumb its depths. It reinvigorated our faith and we hope it does the same for you.

In striving to live a joy-filled and holy marriage, there are also many married saints to whom we can look as models and ask for prayers. Mary and Joseph are the married couple par excellence that we can invoke for guidance and powerful intercession. While not much is written about Saint Joachim and Anne (the parents of Mary), we know that they were also devout and faithful to the call of the Lord. Saint Cecilia, patron of musicians, was married and, inspired by her example of great faith, her husband converted to Christianity. Saint Thomas More endured great persecution and his eventual death in England with the steadfast support of his wife and children. And, of course, Saint Louis and Zlie are our modern witnesses of joyful marriage even through the trials of war, poverty, and tragic illness.

You have no doubt witnessed some holy marriages yourself. Maybe youve been inspired by your parents, grandparents, or another couple you have encountered. Your marriage can also be a holy marriage. Through loving one another, dancing with one another, serving the poor or going on mission trips together, you can witness to the next generation that marriage is not the end of anything but a beautiful adventure of love that can bear great fruit for the world.

The fact that our marriage has been called to be a physical sign here on earth is a great call and a great responsibility. We were created to live forever in communion with the God who loves us, and this fact is written right into our bodies. God calls us to live this truth in our marriages. We must be missionaries who live our marriages joyfully so that the world can see this good news.

The Eucharist is the food for our journey. We cannot achieve holiness on our own, but in and through Jesus Christ, the Spouse who calls us all to the heavenly marriage feast. This is my body given up for you. Each husband and wife should say this every day to one another, as we also receive the gift of Christs Body to nourish us while on this earthly pilgrimage.

Remember, you were created to be a gift to the worldnow go be a gift to your spouse!

Saint Joseph and Mary Most Holy, pray for us!

Saints Louis and Zlie Martin, pray for us!

Saint John Paul II, pray for us!

The richness of Saint John Paul IIs vision of the theology of the body is vast, and many other authors have already written great works of varying scope. Here are some recommended readings to dive deeper into this treasure trove, as well as some complementary books and documents weve read that have helped us to flesh out the great mystery of our bodily love in the divine image.

Evert, Jason. How to Find Your Soulmate Without Losing Your Soul. San Diego: Totus Tuus Press, 2011.

John Paul II. Man and Woman He Created Them: A Theology of the Body. Boston: Pauline Books & Media, 2006.

Lewis, C. S. The Four Loves. New York: Mariner Books, 2012.

Sheen, Fulton. Three to Get Married. New York: Scepter Publications, Inc., 1992.

Sri, Edward. Men, Women, and the Mystery of Love. Cincinnati: Servant Books, 2007.

West, Christopher. Theology of the Body for Beginners: A Basic Introduction to Pope John Paul IIs Sexual Revolution. West Chester: Ascension Press, 2009.

Benedict XVI. Deus Caritas Est [On Christian Love]. Vatican Web site. December 25, 2005. Accessed Nov. 3, 2016. http://w2.vatican.va/content/benedict-xvi/en/encyclicals/documents/hf_ben-xvi_enc_20051225_deus-caritas-est.html.

Francis. Amoris Laetitia [On Love in the Family]. Vatican Web site. March 19, 2016. Accessed Nov, 3, 2016. http://w2.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/apost_exhortations/documents/papa-francesco_esortazione-ap_20160319_amoris-laetitia.html.

John Paul II. Familiaris Consortio [On the Role of the Christian Family in the Modern World]. Vatican Web site. Nov. 22, 1981. Accessed Nov. 3, 2016. http://w2.vatican.va/content/john-paul-ii/en/apost_exhortations/documents/hf_jp-ii_exh_19811122_familiaris-consortio.html.

. Mulieris Dignitatem [On the Dignity and Vocation of Women].

Vatican Web site. August 15, 1988. Accessed Nov. 3, 2016. http://w2.vatican.va/content/john-paul-ii/en/apost_letters/1988/documents/hf_jp-ii_apl_19880815_mulieris-dignitatem.html.

Bachiochi, Erika. Women, Sex and the Church: A Case for Catholic Teaching. Boston: Pauline Books & Media, 2010.

Dimech-Juchniewicz, Jean and Paul A. Carpentier. Facing Infertility: A Catholic Approach. Boston: Pauline Books & Media, 2012.

Fisher, Simcha. The Sinners Guide to Natural Family Planning. Huntington: Our Sunday Visitor, 2014.

Franks, Angela. Contraception and Catholicism: What the Church Teaches and Why. Boston: Pauline Books & Media, 2013.

West, Christopher. Good News About Sex and Marriage: Honest questions and answers about Catholic teaching. Ann Arbor: Servant Publications, 2000.

Cardaronella, Marc. Keep Your Kids Catholic: Sharing Your Faith and Making It Stick. Notre Dame: Ave Maria Press, 2016.

Guarendi, Ray. Discipline That Lasts a Lifetime: The Best Gift You Can Give Your Kids. Ann Arbor: Servant Publications, 2003.

Popcak, Greg and Lisa. Beyond the Birds and the Bees