Fr. Dawid Kwiatkowski
St. Anne Catholic Church
In the heart of the Catholic faith lies a profound understanding of the sanctity of both human life and marriage. These two sacred realities are not isolated from one another but are intimately connected, reflecting God’s divine plan for creation. Life and marriage both stem from the belief that each person is created in the image and likeness of God (Genesis 1:27), and thus, every life is sacred from conception until natural death.
Marriage, as instituted by God, is the sacred union of man and woman, through which new life is brought into the world. From the very beginning, God blessed Adam and Eve, commanding them to “be fruitful and multiply” (Genesis 1:28). This divine mandate reveals the fruitfulness of marriage as central to its purpose. Through the loving union of husband and wife, God invites them to share in His creative work, bringing forth and nurturing new life.
However, marriage is not just a contractual relationship or a convenience. It is a covenant, a sacred bond that mirrors God’s unconditional love for humanity. In today’s world, marriage is often reduced to a mere contract, a transaction where expectations are set based on personal gain or convenience. This contract mindset reflects the notion that one partner must meet the other’s expectations to receive love in return. But this is far from the Catholic understanding of marriage.
Marriage, according to the Church, is a covenant—a lifelong, indissoluble union in which both spouses give themselves fully and unconditionally to one another.
There are no exit clauses or conditions in this covenant. It is a commitment that requires total self-giving, a reflection of Christ’s sacrificial love for the Church. In a marriage, the couple becomes “one flesh,” as described in Scripture, united in purpose, body, and spirit (Mark 10:8).
The idea of a covenant over a contract is especially important when we consider the challenges couples face today.
Cohabitation, often seen as a way to “test” a relationship, undermines the true nature of marriage. It fosters a mentality that the relationship is conditional, experimental, and lacks the full, permanent commitment that marriage entails. This mindset can lead to difficulties later, as studies show couples who live together before marriage are more likely to experience marital problems and even divorce.
The Catholic Church, however, calls couples to prepare for marriage through chastity, friendship, and mutual respect. True preparation for marriage is grounded in faith, with the couple focusing on communication, shared values, and spiritual growth, rather than testing the relationship through cohabitation. In the sacrament of marriage, grounded in love and commitment, a couple can build a strong, lifelong union.
This unconditional love and sacrifice within marriage reflect the ultimate model of love—the Eucharist. In the Eucharist, Jesus Christ offers Himself completely, holding nothing back, for the salvation of humanity. This act of sacrificial love is the foundation of Christian life and marriage. Spouses are called to love each other in the same way, often sacrificing their personal desires and comforts for the sake of their partner and family.
Marriage, like the Eucharist, is a journey of self-giving and vulnerability. When spouses vow to love each other “in good times and in bad,” they open themselves to the possibility of being hurt, disappointed, or frustrated. Yet, it is in these moments that they are called to love more deeply. Marriage becomes a path to holiness because it requires a continuous commitment to love, even in difficult times.
As we reflect on these truths, we are reminded of the essential role the family plays as the “domestic church.” It is within the family that children first learn about God, love, and the value of life. Parents, as the first educators of their children, are entrusted with the responsibility to nurture life and to teach their children about the dignity of every human being, from the womb to old age.
In defending life and marriage, we are not merely taking a social or political stance but participating in a **spiritual mission**. We defend God’s design for creation and His love for humanity. Through the example of the Holy Family—Jesus, Mary, and Joseph— we are called to grow in our commitment to love, life, and marriage.
Just as Christ’s self-giving love in the Eucharist nourishes our souls, the sacrificial love between spouses strengthens the bond of marriage, making it a true reflection of divine love.