Mary and Joseph are Married

The Sanctity of the Marriage Covenant

An Exchange of Persons Sealed and Blessed by God 

Leader:
Oh Most Holy Family, Jesus, Mary and Joseph; intercede for us who seek your help.

All:
For in you we place all our faith and all our trust.

Meditation:
(Mt. 1:18-21) When his mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found with Child through the Holy Spirit. Joseph her husband, since he was a righteous man, yet unwilling to expose her to shame, decided to divorce her quietly. Such was his intention when, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, "Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary your wife into your home. For it is through the Holy Spirit that this Child has been conceived in her. She will bear a son and you are to name him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins."

Reflection:
Many marriages suffer because frequently the couples do not understand fully the sacredness of this special bond of love. There are so many temptations to be unfaithful or to abandon the covenant rather than to work to correct what is wrong. What is lacking is a strong faith and trust in the Lord who has promised his help all the days of their married lives.

Prayer-All:
By the sacrament of matrimony, a man and a woman enter into a sacred covenant relationship based on mutual love, trust and self-donation. We pray for all married couples. We pray especially for those experiencing difficulties; that they will be faithful always to their vows and will seek the help of the Holy Family to resolve their problems.

Our Father...
Hail Mary....
Glory be to the Father...