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Saint Josemaria
Quotations from Saint Josemaria

Engagement and marriage

Tags: Youth, Marriage, Holy Purity, engagement
“The pure, clean love of husband and wife is a holy thing that, as a priest, I bless with both hands.” St Josemaría had written this many years before. Now a student, who knew that, also knew that a question on the subject would not come amiss.

“Father,” he said, “my fiancée and I would like you to talk to us a little about engagement and also about marriage.”

“Yes, my children,” responded St Josemaría, “human love is a wonderful adventure. I know that because of divine love, which is even greater, but is compatible with human love; with human love that is holy, like yours.

What I will tell you is: love each other, talk and listen to each other, get to know each other, respect each other, as though each of you is a treasure that belongs to the other. Don’t forget that God our Lord is with you, that he sees and hears you.”

And St Josemaría, looking at the young man very affectionately, concluded: “My son, go ahead with that love of yours. As you love your fiancée very much, and have chosen her to be the mother of your children, may you never be ashamed of that love. Respect her. You won’t love her less; you’ll be loving her more. And like that, the day will soon come when our Lord will bless your marriage, and will fill it with radiance and happiness. And it will be a love that will go all the way to Heaven.”

Venezuela, February 11, 1975