Is living in a Catholic marriage more fulfilling than any other kind?

[johnsmith2025]

Hi everyone,

I was wondering, have you found that being in a Catholic marriage is ( possibly, in any way ) more happy/satisfying than a non-Catholic marriage?

I’ve not been married as of yet, and I never really knew, but do couple who aren’t religious, or who ARE religious but not Catholic, have marriages that might be not as satisfying as Catholic marriages?

Please share your experiences and opinions of how you feel Catholic marriages compare to marriages that aren’t Catholic.

I’d like to believe that a Catholic marriage is more happy and meaningful than any other kind of marriage, but of course I’m biased because I’m Catholic.

Thanks in advance for your answers!

 

[Armor_of_Light]

You’ll only get opinions, mind you. Here is mine.

Yes! Absolutely. We are children of God first and foremost, and when both spouses realize that and view marrige in its proper context, then happiness abounds. I was married before to a cafeteria style catholic, and it was a trainwreck when I started getting serious about my faith. I’m remarried to a convert and spritual, theological and faith based topics are commonplace for discussion. It is our ‘ground zero’ as it should be.

 

[SaintPatrick333]

People in non Catholic marriages would say they are just as fulfilling but I’d say to them, “how could they be”? Christ made One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church. Through the Church we find our Sacraments. Non-Catholic marriages cannot be Sacramental (unless they convert of course) and so that alone shows that it can’t be a complete marriage. Marriage is more than one man and one woman coming together. The couple also binds themselves to God in a Sacramental and very real way. Non Catholic marriages simply seek to imitate this, but it is not the same. It’s the same for non Catholic worship services that seek to imitate Holy Communion. It might resemble (somewhat) Holy Communion, but in the end, it’s just sliced bread and grape juice. The two can’t even be compared.

 

[allhers]

St. Patrick, I agree with most of what you are saying. However, 2 properly Baptized Christians, who are not Catholic are in a Sacramental Marriage, are they not?

 

[georget]

When my wife and I receive communion together, the feelings are blissful.

“The state of marriage is one that requires more virtue and constancy than any other. It is a perpetual exercise in mortification.”
St. Francis de Sales

 

[Piwowar]

St. Patrick - 25 years ago, I married a Lutheran-MS gal. Our marriage is still going strong. Can’t wait for the next 25. Her parents just celebrated 65. Hmmm - Luthern Church-MS.

 

[Piwowar]

People in non Catholic marriages would say they are just as fulfilling but I’d say to them, “how could they be”? Christ made One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church. Through the Church we find our Sacraments. Non-Catholic marriages cannot be Sacramental (unless they convert of course) and so that alone shows that it can’t be a complete marriage. Marriage is more than one man and one woman coming together. The couple also binds themselves to God in a Sacramental and very real way. Non Catholic marriages simply seek to imitate this, but it is not the same. It’s the same for non Catholic worship services that seek to imitate Holy Communion. It might resemble (somewhat) Holy Communion, but in the end, it’s just sliced bread and grape juice. The two can’t even be compared.

I am really sorry you feel this way. Will pray for you!

 

[KnitNut]

People in non Catholic marriages would say they are just as fulfilling but I’d say to them, “how could they be”? Christ made One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church. Through the Church we find our Sacraments. Non-Catholic marriages cannot be Sacramental (unless they convert of course) and so that alone shows that it can’t be a complete marriage. Marriage is more than one man and one woman coming together. The couple also binds themselves to God in a Sacramental and very real way. Non Catholic marriages simply seek to imitate this, but it is not the same. It’s the same for non Catholic worship services that seek to imitate Holy Communion. It might resemble (somewhat) Holy Communion, but in the end, it’s just sliced bread and grape juice. The two can’t even be compared.

How insulting to the other Apostolic Churches! I think you might want to review the Roman Catholic official position on the Holy Mysteries of, say, Orthodoxy? (Check out the USCCB paper, for example.) Then again, this is pretty dismissive of marriage all around. Some more reading for you - try your catechism & “natural marriage”. Looking at all the “non-Catholic Christians” now dealing with the annulment tribunals, it seems God joins a lot more than you give Him credit for…at least according to Rome.

 

[SonSearcher]

I once was not married in a Catholic marriage for about 4 years. Then my wife and I both came to the Faith. I was a revert and she was a convert from atheism/agnosticism.

I can say yes. Pre Catholic life we struggled, individually and together. After we came to God and our marriage was con-validated. We began our sacramental lives.

It has been great.

Easy? No
Easier? Yes

Happy all the time? No
Happier? Yes

 

[cradlecatholic5]

People in non Catholic marriages would say they are just as fulfilling but I’d say to them, “how could they be”? Christ made One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church. Through the Church we find our Sacraments. Non-Catholic marriages cannot be Sacramental (unless they convert of course) and so that alone shows that it can’t be a complete marriage. Marriage is more than one man and one woman coming together. The couple also binds themselves to God in a Sacramental and very real way. Non Catholic marriages simply seek to imitate this, but it is not the same. It’s the same for non Catholic worship services that seek to imitate Holy Communion. It might resemble (somewhat) Holy Communion, but in the end, it’s just sliced bread and grape juice. The two can’t even be compared.

Man o man …

 

[crcath]

Hi everyone,

I was wondering, have you found that being in a Catholic marriage is ( possibly, in any way ) more happy/satisfying than a non-Catholic marriage?

I’ve not been married as of yet, and I never really knew, but do couple who aren’t religious, or who ARE religious but not Catholic, have marriages that might be not as satisfying as Catholic marriages?

Please share your experiences and opinions of how you feel Catholic marriages compare to marriages that aren’t Catholic.

I’d like to believe that a Catholic marriage is more happy and meaningful than any other kind of marriage, but of course I’m biased because I’m Catholic.

Thanks in advance for your answers!

Being in a long-term Catholic marriage, I’d have to say I’m probably biased, too, and also think that Catholic marriages are beautiful and the ultimate union between God and the two spouses. There’s something about attending Mass together each week and praying together that helps cement a marriage - through the good times and the not-so-good times. We always know that Our Lord has joined us together in the Holy Sacrament of Matrimony, and I think we both feel that divorce is not an option we would want to consider.
In addition, various studies have shown that Catholics have the lowest divorce rate among the population in general when compared with other religions. Could it be that the assistance of Our Blessed Mother and all the wonderful Saints is helping? Or the fact that Our Lord actually lives in us through His Holy Eucharist and gives us the grace in our marriages to get through life’s challenges, no matter what? Or that perhaps we might try a bit harder than some since we know the beautiful rewards that await? I’m not sure, but I’m very happy to be in a Catholic marriage!
I’ve seen many marriages among family and friends through the years, but I can’t think of one dissolving where both spouses were Catholic and attended Mass regularly together. That’s only speaking from what I’ve seen, and I’m sure there are exceptions, but it does say something!

 

[einna]

How insulting to the other Apostolic Churches! I think you might want to review the Roman Catholic official position on the Holy Mysteries of, say, Orthodoxy? (Check out the USCCB paper, for example.) Then again, this is pretty dismissive of marriage all around. Some more reading for you - try your catechism & “natural marriage”. Looking at all the “non-Catholic Christians” now dealing with the annulment tribunals, it seems God joins a lot more than you give Him credit for…at least according to Rome.

Those who dare to respond to the OP really should have a deep understanding of other religions and long time experience with the marriages in those religions before they express such narrow opinions.

 

[takers]

I don’t think that being in a Catholic marriage automatically stamps the marriage as better, stronger, holier, etc than a non-Catholic marriage. I think that two people who have similar faiths, goals, family desires, etc will have a more fulfilling marriage than those who don’t have similar outlooks.

As an example, in my own circle of Catholic friends there are one divorced couple, two couples that are married now but were divorced from other people prior to marriage, one couple that has stated that they don’t go to church except Easter and Christmas, and another couple that spends more time fighting than being loving. These marriages, while all validly Catholic are not ‘better marriages’ than some of my Protestant friends’ marriage. (To be fair there are also Protestant friends who do not have as good of marriages as some of my other Catholic friends.)

 

[Frank_Drebin]

Those who dare to respond to the OP really should have a deep understanding of other religions and long time experience with the marriages in those religions before they express such narrow opinions.

I see his point though. The Eucharist is the cloest thing to Heaven we can experience. A marriage lacking this shared foretaste may be the most fulfilling a particular couplke can achieve given where they are, but it is not the most fulfilling God could give them, frankly, and with no offense intended.

It is similar to asking can an atheist couple be as fulfilled with one another as a couple who shares a belief in God? I’d say if they are both operating on their best day, the couple with God ultimately will ultimately be fulfilled more, given god’s presence. The atheist couple may think they have a completely fulfilling relationship, but they simply do not know what they are missing. As the saying goes, you don’t know what you don’t know.

 

[Frank_Drebin]

I don’t think that being in a Catholic marriage automatically stamps the marriage as better, stronger, holier, etc than a non-Catholic marriage. I think that two people who have similar faiths, goals, family desires, etc will have a more fulfilling marriage than those who don’t have similar outlooks.

As an example, in my own circle of Catholic friends there are one divorced couple, two couples that are married now but were divorced from other people prior to marriage, one couple that has stated that they don’t go to church except Easter and Christmas, and another couple that spends more time fighting than being loving. These marriages, while all validly Catholic are not ‘better marriages’ than some of my Protestant friends’ marriage. (To be fair there are also Protestant friends who do not have as good of marriages as some of my other Catholic friends.)

No one is claiming a Catholic couple has an automtaic stamp of success. But their chances are higher if they embrace fully what god intended. That is simply what we believe as Catholics. To think otherwise flies in the face of “why be Catholic?” and demeans the very power and grace of the Eucharist itself.

this does not mean Catholic couples can’t be a complete mess, however.

 

[shelby_sun]

No one is claiming a Catholic couple has an automtaic stamp of success. But their chances are higher if they embrace fully what god intended. That is simply what we believe as Catholics. To think otherwise flies in the face of “why be Catholic?” and demeans the very power and grace of the Eucharist itself.

this does not mean Catholic couples can’t be a complete mess, however.

What about the Jews, you know God’s chosen people and Jesus’ ancestors? Are you telling me that Catholic marriages are capable of being more fulfilling because of Christ and the sacrament. Sorry I have a hard time believing that when most Jews are so committed to their faith and families.

 

[KnitNut]

I see his point though. The Eucharist is the cloest thing to Heaven we can experience. A marriage lacking this shared foretaste may be the most fulfilling a particular couplke can achieve given where they are, but it is not the most fulfilling God could give them, frankly, and with no offense intended.

It is similar to asking can an atheist couple be as fulfilled with one another as a couple who shares a belief in God? I’d say if they are both operating on their best day, the couple with God ultimately will ultimately be fulfilled more, given god’s presence. The atheist couple may think they have a completely fulfilling relationship, but they simply do not know what they are missing. As the saying goes, you don’t know what you don’t know.

I think I understand what you’re saying. However, you’re aware that Rome specifically acknowledges that other Churches have what Rome calls “valid” Eucharist and “sacramental” marriage, right? So while belonging to the Roman communion might give you what you describe, according to Rome herself, that’s not the only place you’ll find it.

 

[Frank_Drebin]

I think I understand what you’re saying. However, you’re aware that Rome specifically acknowledges that other Churches have what Rome calls “valid” Eucharist and “sacramental” marriage, right? So while belonging to the Roman communion might give you what you describe, according to Rome herself, that’s not the only place you’ll find it.

That’s a good point about valid communion.

 

[Frank_Drebin]

What about the Jews, you know God’s chosen people and Jesus’ ancestors? Are you telling me that Catholic marriages are capable of being more fulfilling because of Christ and the sacrament. Sorry I have a hard time believing that when most Jews are so committed to their faith and families.

Commitment is not the key. Lots of people who are not Catholic are commited. We are talking about being fulfilled in life, and by definition, the cloest we can get to Heaven is the Eucharist. Unless we don’t believe in the power of the Eucharist, it simply stands to reason that lacking that would mean lacking in the maximum God is willing to give us.

Many relationships max out their potential while Catholics may not max out, but the potential is what we are talking about, and I believe it is arguable that it will be higher with the Eucharist at the center.

 

[Kindness]

When we married 3 other family members of a similar age also entered into marriages at the same time. We are the only ones out of the total of 4 marriages to remain married. I cannot say and I do not know why the other marriages very sadly broke down and I don’t know why ours remains intact and trucking along. It’s quite scary actually to think these 3 other marriages of people we love very much have not stayed the course.

The only obvious difference is that we are the only ones who go to mass and (attempt to) practice our faith. So I put it down purely to God’s grace.

“There but for the Grace of God go I”.