21 Years ago, this winter, I walked down the aisle of St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Poway, California, toward the man that I loved. As I let go of my father’s arm and took my fiancé’s hand, we looked into one another’s eyes and made the promises of our lives. “Yes!” I have come here without coercion, and I am entering into marriage freely and wholeheartedly. “Yes!” I promise to Love and Honor you all the days of my life. “Yes!” I promise to accept children lovingly from God and raise them according to the law of Christ and his Church.” Those questions before the consent have defined our lives since that moment and are promises that we strive to live each and every day.
As the leader of the Genesis pre-cana retreat, I have had the joy of leading thousands of engaged couples in our Archdiocese to consider and reflect upon these promises. What a gift! Considering these promises are not just important for the wedding day itself, but are meant to be reflected upon and lived out every day of married life.
As we approach National Marriage Week (Feb. 7-14) and World Marriage Day (Sunday, Feb. 8), I invite all married couples to reflect on their marriage vows and the questions they considered before giving consent. How do we continually choose to give ourselves to our spouse freely and wholeheartedly in our everyday lives? How can I best love and honor my spouse? How have we accepted children lovingly in our marriage? How can we do better at raising them in accordance with Christ and His Church?
The USCCB has provided resources to help us build “a culture of life and love that begins with supporting and promoting marriage and the family.” The best way to build marriage and family evangelization is to begin with your own marriage. St. Josemaria Escriva said, “If a marriage is to preserve its initial charm and beauty, both husband and wife should try to renew their love day after day, and that is done through sacrifice, with smiles and also with ingenuity.”
Make this St. Valentines day special! Let your beloved know you love them; go on a special date night, plan time together, and choose a fun activity. Pray together and thank God for the beautiful gift of one another.
Please pray for my husband, Josh, and me. Our CNE Marriage & Family team prays for you and your marriage in our weekly holy hour. We are here for you.
Behold Friday, February 13 | 7:00 PM St. Monica St. George
Mount St. Mary’s Seminarians & Queen City Catholic invite all young adults to join us for an evening of Adoration, prayer teams, music, the opportunity for Confession, and a social with beverages, food, and fellowship.
We are launching a sacramental hub for young adults in the Cincinnati area. Join us for a bi-weekly night of Adoration, Confession, and Mass. The next meeting date is Tuesday, February 10th.
The Rite of Election of Catechumens (and the Calling of Candidates to Continuing Conversion) will be celebrated as usual on the First Sunday of Lent, February 22, 2026.
The deadline to register for the Rite of Election is TOMORROW. Click the button below to register.
This important Lenten ritual is for catechumens preparing for full initiation (Baptism, Confirmation, and First Communion) at the Easter Vigil 2026. Also invited are those baptized Christians who are seeking to be received into the full communion of the Catholic Church this Easter and have been preparing alongside the catechumens. (Please remember that non-Catholic Christians may be received into full communion any time during the year.)
Celebrations will take place at 2pm (English) at Immaculate Conception Church in Dayton and 2pm (English) at the Cathedral Basilica of St. Peter-in-Chains. Archbishop Casey will preside for a single celebration in Spanish at 7pm at St. Maximilian Kolbe Church in Liberty Township.
Families of Parishes may choose from any of the liturgies for their group to attend, based on geography, timing, or language; there will be no deanery-specific assignments.
Contact the Divine Worship Office (worship@catholicaoc.org, 513-263-6609) if you have any questions.
