Your Family Matters

 Suppose you’re a young woman or man somewhere between the ages of fifteen and thirty-five, and you want to ask me what actions you can take now to set yourself up for a happy marriage How do you know if someone is good “marriage material”?  Are there dating behaviors that correlate with a better future marriage?  If I invited you out for coffee, sat down with you for an hour, and shared my best advice with you, here’s what I’d tell you.

During my junior year in college, I studied abroad in Paris and prayed to meet my future husband. In particular, I implored the intercession of St. Joseph — after all, he was Our Lady’s husband and, therefore, surely, the best husband in the world!

I saw the pale blue book on the side table in the confessional room at my parish. It’s a pleasant, snug, well-lit room. I’ve received so much grace and mercy there throughout the years that just being in it inspires peace and gratitude in me. After dropping my daughter off at her Sunday morning faith formation class at our parish, I often like to take some time to pray before Mass.