One of the most striking features of life in the Catholic Church today is the ever-widening gap between its official teaching on marriage and sexual morality and the practice of most of its lay members. The book seeks to bridge this gap in two ways: It considers some of the tacit assumptions about marriage and sexual morality in today's society, since these affect Catholics as much as everybody else. It also considers the Church's teaching in some of these areas and explores new ways of putting it across so that it can make sense to ordinary lay Catholics. In doing so the author draws on contemporary writing as well as bringing her own reflections and experience of living the Church's teaching to bear on the subject. The book is aimed at married couples, those considering marriage as well as clergy and those involved in marriage preparation and counselling. Anita Dowsing was born in Copenhagen in 1944. She was brought up as a member of Denmark's tiny Catholic community, but has spent most of her adult life in the United Kingdom. She has an M.A. in English Language and Literature from Copenhagen University, and a Ph.D. in Old English from the University of Wales. Anita Dowsing has spent most of her working life in Adult Religious Education in the Diocese of East Anglia as Co-ordinator of the Norwich Deanery Team, a member of the Diocesan Religious Education Commission and, currently, the Diocesan Marriage and Family Life Commission. She was a member of the East Anglia Steering Group for the Bishops' Conference of England and Wales 'Listening 2004' project (listening to family experience in every diocese), and was one of the facilitators at the Bishops Conference Working Group which produced resource material on marriage and family life for parish use. She is married with an adult daughter.

These pages were written by one hand and many hearts ... by separated spouses faithful to the sacrament because they are convinced this total gift of self is not an anachronism imposed by the Church to be accepted with patient resignation, but a path of sanctification lived out in the joyous paradox of the Gospel. This book, besides offering numerous points for reflection on the theme of separation, proposes a true and proper path subdivided into stages for groups of people who, living with the suffering of a spouse's separation, wish to remain faithful to the sacrament of their marriage. Among the many suggested prayers and meditations, one in particular, the renewal of the Yes, has captured the attention of many churches both at home and abroad. The "Marriage Vows Renewal," included in the last stage, is promulgated by the Pontifical Council of the Family. The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops published a recommendation for the book on their Marriage Resource Center: "The greatest strength of Campanella's book is her articulation of the vocation of the separated person to live out his or her marriage vows as a particular witness of God's eternal love for fallen humanity, and the practical path she offers to the realization of this call. Although she does not include personal details of her own situation, it is apparent that Campanella has walked this path herself. This imbues a sense of hope and inspiration to the reader."

Translated by Michelle K. Borras The idea of love pervades our society, yet it is nearly impossible to answer the question What is love? especially as we witness the divorce of love from sexuality and of sexuality from procreation. Aware that many people today are skeptical about marriage, Angelo Cardinal Scola nevertheless suggests that only in the category of nuptial mystery do we find a way to adequately describe the phenomenon of love. A bright new leader in the Catholic Church, Cardinal Scola argues that the male-female relationship lies near the heart of what it means to bear the image of God. Scola's book explores the essential sexual differences that both separate and unite men and women, and it shows how men and women can realize their purpose in marriage or celibacy. Conversant with papal teaching and Catholic writers from Aquinas to von Balthasar, Cardinal Scola writes with a deep regard for marriage and the family. His Nuptial Mystery will leave readers with a thoroughly Christian appreciation for incarnate love.

Marriage always involves two flawed people living with each other in a fallen world. Yet many couples say “I do” with unrealistic expectations, leaving them unprepared for the day-to-day difficulties of married life. This unique book introduces a biblical and practical approach to dealing with the challenges of marriage that is rooted in God’s faithfulness and the Bible’s teaching on sin and grace. Outlining six practical commitments that give shape and momentum to a truly healthy and fulfilling union, this redesigned book will equip couples to develop thriving, grace-based marriages in all circumstances and seasons of their relationships.

Describes what marriage should be according to the Bible, arguing that marriage is a tool to bring individuals closer to God, and provides meaningful instruction on how to have a successful marriage.

Ryan and Selena Frederick were newlyweds when they landed in Switzerland to pursue Selena's dream of training horses. Neither of them knew at the time that Ryan was living out a death sentence brought on by a worsening genetic heart defect. Soon it became clear he needed major surgery that could either save his life--or result in his death on the operating table. The young couple prepared for the worst. When Ryan survived, they both realized that they still had a future together. But the near loss changed the way they saw all that would lie ahead. They would live and love fiercely, fighting for each other and for a Christ-centered marriage, every step of the way. Fierce Marriage is their story, but more than that, it is a call for married couples to put God first in their relationship, to measure everything they do and say to each other against what Christ did for them, and to see marriage not just as a relationship they should try to keep healthy but also as one worth fighting for in every situation. With the gospel as their foundation, Ryan and Selena offer hope and practical help for common struggles in marriage, including communication problems, sexual frustration, financial stress, family tension, screen-time disconnection, and unrealistic expectations.

David Whyte knows there are three crucial relationships, or marriages, in our lives: the marriage or partnership with a significant other, the commitment we have to our work, and the vows, spoken or unspoken, we make to an inner, constantly developing self. In The Three Marriages, the bestselling author, poet, and speaker argues that it is not possible to sacrifice one relationship for the others without causing deep psychological damage. Too often, he says, we fracture our lives and split our energies foolishly, so that one or more of these marriages is sacrificed and may wither and die, in the process impoverishing them all. Whyte looks to a different way of seeing and connecting these relationships and prompts us to examine each marriage with a fierce but affectionate eye as he shows us the importance of cherishing all three equally.--From publisher description.