Role of a Catholic Wife

[teme]

Wonderful thread

OP, two quick thoughts to consider.

Rather than asking us or others in the Church what makes a good wife - ask your husband. You ultimately answer to him and God in your marriage. Boiled down, I believe God’s message to wives (and husbands) is to strive to be whatever the spouse needs - so you’ll have to ask him what he expects.

Please, please, do not let yourself be discouraged by the hypocratic folks at Church. You’ll find this same modus operandi no matter where you look - church, synagogue, mosque, message board, library… People know what they should be doing, express that belief or hope, but will fall short of their own ideals. Thank God for Confession!

 

[dianaballein]

My husband is not a practicing Catholic. I am proud of the wife I am to him.

I do what I do because that is in my nature, but in my learning of the Catholic faith, I began to see discrepancies so this is why I posted what I posted. I wanted opinions, from real Catholic wives who live it day to day, and don’t just talk the talk…I wanted to see all sides and hear viewpoints.

 

[Sailor_Kenshin]

I don’t know if this answers your questions, but I think part of the fault lies with (feminist) secular society’s characterization of men as either animals who think with the lower half of their bodies or as idiotic buffoons who couldn’t walk through an open door without assistance.

It doesn’t help that men are told by secular society that women are objects of sexual gratification and “getting some” should be the goal of every man.

I think while the latter is obviously against the Christian world-view, the former is somewhat more insidious and women can be induced to thinking their husbands are idiots without a strong hand to guide them.

I dunno. Just my $0.02

I will see your two cents and raise them four!

 

[rinnie]

My husband is not a practicing Catholic. I am proud of the wife I am to him.

I do what I do because that is in my nature, but in my learning of the Catholic faith, I began to see discrepancies so this is why I posted what I posted. I wanted opinions, from real Catholic wives who live it day to day, and don’t just talk the talk…I wanted to see all sides and hear viewpoints.

Also Diana welcome to the faith. I hope you find it as rewarding and wonderful as I do. MY Mom and Dad have been married for it would be 50 this year. But in March God took my Dad, I will never forget my moms words to my Dad she loved him so much and he loved her so much, She told him dont suffer no more Go to God. My Dad opened his eyes and gave the biggest smile looking up to heaven and went to God. I hope you have what they had, and if my Dad were here today this is what his famous words were. Go to the Blessed Mother when you are in trouble, Jesus loves his Mother and he will listen to her. Jesus left her here for us, to help us, she is our role model. If you want to do one thing for yourself, after you become Catholic, study up on the Blessed Mother. She will be such a great help for you on this earth. She will also pray for you when you need her. Ask her to help pray for you and your marriage, Trust me Miracles will happen. Keep her close to your heart. God Bless you and I know you will have such a wonderful marriage. Just Love eachother. Im not sure if your husband is going to church or what, but if not im sure this is Gods way of bringing him home. Remember the FAMILY THAT PRAYS TOGETHER STAYS TOGETHER.

 

[dianaballein]

This made me cry, in a good way. Thank you Rinnie, and I am so sorry to hear about your Dad. :console:

 

[rinnie]

This made me cry, in a good way. Thank you Rinnie, and I am so sorry to hear about your Dad. :console:

Oh thanks so much babe, we cry alot too. But its okay he is with God, and my Mom told me he is waiting for her with his arms wide open. When God is ready for her she will see him again. But she said he is with her every day and making her strong. But they had love, real love, the kind that comes from God. You will get it too, I promise. Remember dont look to other Catholics to be a good example. Pray for Gods grace to be a good example. you will get it. I have a good feeling about you two!

 

[dianaballein]

Real love is so hard to come by. You’re parents were blessed beyond measure…and your Mom sounds like a gem.

 

[RWMorris]

I like this thread.
One situation caused me to view my DH in a whole new way. We took the Alpha Marriage Course and it opened my eyes to how important it is that husbands feel that their wives respect them. Women want men to understand them, but men want women to respect them. Two totally different things.
Up to that point, I had been a typical modern wife, full of expectations that my huband would be understanding and take over lots of household/childcare stuff and I could be as acerbic and sarcastic as I wanted to be. And I was! I used to criticize him whenever I saw fit.
Until we took this marriage course and I saw how damaging my actions to my DH really were. I completely changed, thank God, with the Holy Spirit’s help. By the grace of God, I asked my DH for forgiveness in criticising him all the time and he forgave me (with a lot of surprise, actually) and our marriage took a new heading.
The last five years have been heavenly. We have had maybe three minor arguments in that time. I no longer look for ways to criticize my DH, I let him do as he thinks best (with an occasional suggestion on my part - much better than demanding!). Instead, I look for ways to build him up, with prayers, words, and deeds.
In return, I have a husband who treats me like a queen. He still doesn’t help out that much around the house unless I ask him, which can be annoying. But who cares? I think he is wonderful and I want to show him how great he is for the rest of his life.
I think Catholic women and in fact ALL women would do well to show respect and admiration for their husbands, because that is what men really need from us.
Just my 2 cents…

 

[dianaballein]

Oh my dear, THIS is exactly what I mean!!! It does my heart good to read this.

May God continue to bless your marriage.