Why does the Church make us wait to sign a paper to have sex?

[SaraElizabeth]

I have a question in regard to sex before marriage. I know that the Catholic Church forbides it and I believe and follow the faith. I have begun to question if i can believe that premarital sex should absolutly be forbidden. I have been in a relationship for over 6 years now and we have wanted to get married since the second year we were dating. The only issue is that we are not able so live on our own after getting married because of how many years of college we plan on attending. In my eyes we are married and the only reason the catholic church does not recognize it is because of the ceremony. I pay for all my expenses so the money in not the issue rather that we are at two different schools. I am not sure how one ceremony can change what can and can happen between two people. We want to move on to the next step which is sex because of love. I guess i don’t understand how a line can be drawn with love. We are in love and i believe that two people in love should be able to draw the line. Can you help me understand why the church makes us wait until the one day we sign that paper. Because what is the difference between two days before the wedding and the day of the wedding? Is our love going to change because of the ceremony?

 

[Fr.Vincent_Serpa]

My dear,

The difference between two days before the wedding and the day of the wedding is a very simple and all-encompassing reality. It’s called COMITTMENT and it is born of RESPONSIBILITY ! !

Marital love is much, much more than a feeling. It is the covenant between a man and a woman to give themselves to God through each other until death. It means remaining faithful even during those times when one doesn’t “FEEL” in love. Such love is measured by sacrifice—not good feelings. We know how much we really love others by how willing we are to put ourselves out for them.

Premarital sex is bereft of commitment. If a commitment were present, it would be marital-not pre-.

Behold the crucifix and you will see what real love is. You are in my prayers.

Fr. Vincent Serpa, O.P.