Last April 30th, we held the 2nd year of the family faith formation seminar about “Marriage and the Cross.” The first family faith formation seminar started last 2019, before the pandemic.
Before the seminar started there was a Votive Mass in honor of the Holy Family. Our guest speakers that tackled “Marriage and the Cross” are husband and wife, Manjoe and Lenette Mendoza.
Bro. Manjoe stressed that marriage isn’t a fairy tale. Marriage is tough, not solely focused on ‘happiness’, and marriage leads to sanctity and eternal life.
He clarified that a wedding is a ‘ceremony’ while marriage is the ‘forever union of couples’. We need to remember that we entered the Sacrament of Matrimony because it is a ‘vocation’. And we are aware that this vocation can be fun and difficult at the same time. Being married is tough because we have differences in personality, temperaments, upbringing, and different sets of values.
As Bro. Manjoe stated, “Marriage is tough but the Lord who calls also provides grace to fulfill the calling.” The strength to love as Christ loves is available to us through the Sacrament of Matrimony, which is sustained by the Sacraments of Reconciliation and Holy Eucharist. The couples only need to receive that ‘grace’, as their shield against committing the Seven Deadly Sins.
Marriage isn’t created for our own ‘happiness’. St Thomas Aquinas challenged us that ‘to love is to will the good of others.’ We need to aspire for what is good for our partner, which is our journey to heaven. Marriage is a way to come to heaven, marriage is set for eternal life. That is why while both of you are alive you have a chance to earn graces to prepare for eternal life.
Furthermore, he advised us to marry a person who suffers well because that kind of person will prevent both of you as a couple to separate and rift when experiencing future dilemmas and hardships.
Sis. Lenette recommended what to do if you were no longer happy with your partner. To remember that every problem has a solution, you just have to be urgent to take action.
She shared the acronym of the word AGAP: Alamin (determine) by analyzing what is lacking or ways to address your problems, Gawin (do) execute your action to resolve the problem by talking to your partner about it, Araw-araw (everyday) check on your partners everyday to make sure that there are no lingering problems that aren’t resolved between the both of you, and Panalangin (prayer) pray to God to ask for his guidance.
As their talk ends, Bro. Manjoe reminds us to do more of what makes you HOLY. To always do the right, what is your duty, follow God’s will through prayer, apply your marriage vows, and make sure that your family voyage to heaven because holiness leads to joy.
On May 30, we will have our next Family Faith Formation Seminar with a title, Mary: Our model of Motherhood. The guest speaker is Mrs. Angie Balderama
Article by Athea Baranda
Photo by: Angela Navarrete