Liturgy & Prayers
The Church teaches that the sacrament of marriage symbolizes Christ's relationship with His Church. What is this relationship but one of generous, self-sacrificing passion-filled and fruitful love! When couples live their vocation according to Church teachings, especially with regard to the transmission of life, many benefits can be reaped. Indeed, married couples who use Natural Family Planning (NFP) report that the benefits include: better communication between spouses; deeper understanding of each other's bodies and consequent growth in respect and awe of God's gift of fertility; growth in patience and emotional maturity; growth in understanding of the supreme gift of children; and growth in holiness as they seek to place God as the head of the household.
The following are meant to aid the priest or deacon in planning his homily during NFP Awareness week. The homily is not the place where details of NFP methodology are provided, rather, the core of the Church's teachings which support NFP in marriage should be highlighted. Pastors should try to have NFP teachers at some Masses where they can distribute NFP brochures or booklets and answer question.
Homily Notes
Prayer of the Faithful (Petitions) (En Español)
Prayers