Description

One in Christ: A Spiritual Workout to Strengthen Your Marriage provides bishops, priests, deacons, and lay facilitators with an all-inclusive and comprehensive program to strengthen marriages so couples will come to a deeper understanding of their vocation in Christ. Rev. Thomas Aschenbrener presents both the sacramental theology and the practical “tools” of Christian Marriage to help couples reach an understanding of how marriage is an opportunity to assist the other in attaining Heaven and what that means for their lives together here on earth.

This marriage renewal program, based on Love and Life in the Divine Plan, a pastoral letter by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, is designed to engage couples in reflection, discussion, and prayer. As in any “workout,” a series of short exercises builds strength; in the marriage setting, these build communication and faith and increase meaningful conversation through regular practice. Each chapter assists couples in examining the meaning of their relationship in light of God’s love and the gratuitous grace they received on their wedding day, a grace that keeps on giving.

The topics presented in One in Christ include the following:

Ways to foster healing in marriage;
How to cope with suffering and trials;
Ways to grow in virtue together;
The meaning of prayer;
How to rediscover the transformative power of God’s grace in the Sacraments; and
How to embrace the unique call to authentic life and love in God’s plan for the family.

The program is designed to be flexible so it can be presented as a workshop at your local parish or diocese; alternatively, the materials can be purchased by individual couples to use as a self-study guide in the home.