Let’s dive into the Catholic perspective on families—because, surprise, it’s not just about having a bunch of people under one roof. We know as Catholics that families are the heartbeat of society and that their well-being has a direct impact on the bigger picture.
At the core of Catholic teaching is the belief that the family is a reflection of the Holy Trinity—a communion of persons bound together by love. Pope Pius XII stated in his Discorso di Sua Santitá on September 7, 1956:
God did not create a human family made up of segregated, dissociated, mutually independent members. No; he would have them all united by the bond of total love of Him and consequent self-dedication to assisting each other to maintain that bond intact.
The traditional family structure, comprised of a husband, wife, and children, is viewed as a sacred unit where individuals learn essential virtues and values that contribute to the common good of society. The breakdown of the family is a departure from the divine plan and has had seriously eroded the foundations of society.
One key aspect of the family begins with understanding marriage as a sacrament. The sacrament of matrimony is not simply a social contract but a sacred covenant between a man and a woman, mirroring the covenant between Christ and the Church. The family, formed through this sacrament, is a source of grace and a means through which individuals grow in holiness. Consequently, the dissolution of marriages and families is, of course, a departure from this sacred covenant, leading to a loss of grace and spiritual nourishment.
The Catholic Church also teaches the importance of procreation within the marital union. Children are a gift from God and a natural fruit of married love. The family, therefore, is not only a place for the nurturing of existing lives but also a space where new life is welcomed and cherished. The decline in the importance attached to procreation and the rise of practices contrary to the sanctity of life, such as abortion and contraception, are direct threats to the family structure and, consequently, to the foundation of society.
Our family is like our personal superhero squad, and as Catholics we see it as a sacred team, set up by none other than God Himself. The goal? To be a solid unit filled with love, care, and a whole lot of life lessons that continue throughout our journey in this world. It is basically God’s way of making sure we all grow up to respect one another and understand that every human person must be respected from the littlest one of us in the womb to the eldest human person.
Now, about marriage, we know as Catholics that it is not simply about saying “I do.” It is making a promise to God and a promise to one another, to be a team and help the other grow closer to Christ. The family that comes out of this promise is meant to be a powerhouse where everyone supports each other’s growth. Through the ups and downs, the family is a system providing strength and courage, celebrating each member as well as calling them to holiness.
Parents are the life coaches, teaching their children the ropes of being a good person and following God’s lead. But if the family breaks down and loses one or both of these coaches, then children do not receive the proper guidance and, sadly, (especially teenagers) turn to what they believe will make them happy, such as vaping, drugs, sex, and alcohol. There are way too many young people who have lost their lives due to a lack of support from their family and being left to their own devices. Without strong families, the glue that holds everything together melts away.
The erosion of the traditional family structure is a departure from God’s plan and results in the loss of grace, moral guidance, and the foundational principles necessary for a just and harmonious society. Therefore, the preservation and support of the family are essential elements in the broader mission of building a society that reflects the divine order and promotes the common good.
Let us always, especially as Catholics, fight to protect, defend, and preserve the traditional family.
Photo by Sandy Millar on Unsplash
