Marriage is not just about companionship, romance, or building a family. It is a path to holiness—a vocation designed by God to help spouses grow in love, virtue, and sanctity. The Theology of the Body, as taught by St. John Paul II, reveals that marriage is a sacred journey where two people help each other become the best versions of themselves, ultimately leading them closer to God.
Marriage as a Path to Holiness
The Catholic Church teaches that holiness is the goal of every Christian life. While some are called to religious life or celibacy, most are called to holiness through marriage. According to the Theology of the Body, marriage is a visible sign of God’s love for humanity. It reflects the self-giving love between Christ and the Church.
Holiness in marriage does not mean a life without challenges. On the contrary, it means allowing God to transform us through the daily joys and struggles of married life.
Ways Marriage Leads to Holiness
1. Learning to Love as Christ Loves
The ultimate example of love is Jesus Christ, who gave Himself completely for us. In marriage, spouses are called to love each other in a selfless, sacrificial way. This means putting the needs of the other before one’s own, practicing patience, and forgiving freely.
Marriage teaches that love is not just about feelings but about commitment, sacrifice, and action. Each day presents opportunities to choose love, even when it is difficult.
2. Growing in Virtue
Marriage challenges us to grow in virtues such as:
- Patience – Learning to endure difficulties with love.
- Humility – Recognizing our weaknesses and seeking to improve.
- Forgiveness – Letting go of resentment and choosing mercy.
- Self-control – Managing emotions and impulses to create a peaceful home.
Through these virtues, spouses help each other become more Christ-like.
3. Dying to Self and Embracing Sacrifice
True holiness requires self-denial. In marriage, spouses constantly sacrifice for each other, whether in small daily tasks or larger life decisions. These sacrifices, when done out of love, unite us more deeply with Christ, who sacrificed everything for us.
By dying to selfish desires, spouses grow in holiness and experience a deeper, more fulfilling love.
4. Raising a Holy Family
If a couple is blessed with children, their marriage becomes a mission to raise them in faith and virtue. Parents are the first teachers of faith, shaping the hearts of their children through example and instruction. Teaching children to love God and others is a powerful way marriage contributes to holiness.
5. Encouraging Each Other in the Spiritual Life
Spouses are not just partners in daily life but also in faith. They pray together, attend Mass together, and support each other in their spiritual journeys. When one spouse is struggling, the other provides encouragement and guidance.
Praying for and with each other strengthens the marriage and deepens the couple’s relationship with God.
6. Receiving the Grace of the Sacrament
Marriage is a sacrament, which means it gives divine grace to help spouses live out their vocation. The graces received in the Sacrament of Matrimony help couples persevere in difficult times and grow in holiness together.
By embracing the sacramental nature of marriage, couples allow God’s grace to transform their relationship.
Practical Ways to Grow in Holiness Through Marriage
- Pray Together Daily – Ask for God’s help in your marriage and spiritual growth.
- Practice Small Acts of Love – Simple gestures of kindness strengthen your bond and cultivate virtue.
- Forgive Quickly – Don’t hold onto resentment; instead, choose mercy and peace.
- Encourage Each Other’s Faith – Read Scripture together, discuss Church teachings, and attend retreats.
- Serve Others as a Couple – Volunteer or help those in need as a way to live out Christ’s love.
Marriage: A School of Holiness
Marriage is not just about happiness; it is about holiness. It is a lifelong process of growing in virtue, sacrificing for love, and drawing closer to God. By embracing the teachings of the Theology of the Body, spouses can see their marriage as a sacred mission—one that prepares them for eternal life with God.