Another NFP Question, when is it okay?

[homewardbound]

I keep reading that NFP is okay to use when there’s a reason. But what reasons are acceptable?

Me and my boyfriend have about a year and a half left of undergraduate schooling. Once we graduate, we are planning on getting married. We then hope to go to grad school. However, we are worried about paying for an apartment, food, school, etc and are a little nervous when we think of having a child at that time and not being able to financially care for it properly. Of course, through family and everything we could probably manage. If God wants to bless us with a child then we don’t want to stand in the way. We both only want to use NFP if its absolutely neccesary. Would that be a reason for using NFP? Or does it have to be something more serious? I know we have a while to figure everything out, its just good to know now, so we can plan accordingly in the future.

Thanks.

 

[1ke]

No one can tell you if your reason is just-- only you can discern that through prayer and guidance of the Holy Spirit.

The Church teaches that the reasons must conform to objective moral norms and cannot be selfish reasons. There is no “list” of reasons.

I suggest you read up in the Catechism and Humanae Vitae. I also suggest you get some literature from www.omsoul.com to help you in your discernment process.

 

[homewardbound]

No one can tell you if your reason is just-- only you can discern that through prayer and guidance of the Holy Spirit.

The Church teaches that the reasons must conform to objective moral norms and cannot be selfish reasons. There is no “list” of reasons.

I suggest you read up in the Catechism and Humanae Vitae. I also suggest you get some literature from www.omsoul.com to help you in your discernment process.

Thank you very much!

 

[FraterInChristo]

I keep reading that NFP is okay to use when there’s a reason. But what reasons are acceptable?

Me and my boyfriend have about a year and a half left of undergraduate schooling. Once we graduate, we are planning on getting married. We then hope to go to grad school. However, we are worried about paying for an apartment, food, school, etc and are a little nervous when we think of having a child at that time and not being able to financially care for it properly. Of course, through family and everything we could probably manage. If God wants to bless us with a child then we don’t want to stand in the way. We both only want to use NFP if its absolutely neccesary. Would that be a reason for using NFP? Or does it have to be something more serious? I know we have a while to figure everything out, its just good to know now, so we can plan accordingly in the future.

Thanks.

I can’t speak for all diocese, but my diocese requires you to take an NFP class before you get married in the Catholic Church. Either way, I would suggest looking for local NFP classes taught in your area. They will answer all of your questions and more. A fantastic resource is the Couple to Couple League, ccli.org/. They have plenty of information at their website and they are the ones that usually teach the NFP courses in your area.

In a nutshell though, you will be practicing NFP regardless of whether you two desire to have children at that time or not. The question is whether you two will/will not or should/should not abstain during the times when you guys are fertile. And I agree with 1ke, discernment through the Holy Spirit.

I hope this helps. It sounds like you got a good head on your shoulders though! It is refreshing to see younger people taking family and marriage seriously.

I wish you the best!

 

[homewardbound]

Thank you all, very helpful