English
EspañolNo one is born an expert, especially not in love. Do you two want to get married? Prepare yourselves together; do so in time. Do you not prepare in a timely fashion for your future profession? The same must occur with the project of founding your own family. Do so in time … so you will be ready in time.
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“There are a number of legitimate ways to structure programmes of marriage preparation, and each local Church will discern how best to provide a suitable formation (…) Quality is more important than quantity, and priority should be given (…) to an attractive and helpful presentation of information that can help couples to live the rest of their lives together “with great courage and generosity” (…)Discussion groups and optional talks on a variety of topics of genuine interest to young people can also prove helpful.” (The Joy of Love, n.207 and 208)
Commentary
It is necessary to learn to care for the love we have found, to know how to turn it into marital love so that it can live strongly, profoundly, and last for a lifetime. One must learn in due time, not at the last moment, while rushing before the wedding.
When the bride and groom go to the Church to ask for the sacrament of Matrimony, what often occurs is that the time they have available to prepare for marriage is limited and not free of the thousand organizational worries that their wedding entails. Is it too late? One must prepare himself at the right time.
The university, where young people spend decisive years, is quite an opportune space and time. It is time to get ready in advance. It would be wise to offer a wide selection of courses for those in love, which can be taken throughout the year, helping them to get acquainted with married life and to be able to establish, in due course, an authentic community of faithful and indissoluble love.
