General
Marriage Article by David W. Fagerberg (2005)
Synopsis for "On Liturgical Marriage" by David W. Fagerberg
This paper first examines marriage from a trinitarian perspective, considering marriage as procreative in imitation of the Father who is creative; considering marriage redeemed by a Son who elevates nature to a supernatural level; and considering marriage as a path to holiness led by the Holy Spirit who sanctifies through an ascetical process. This brings us to the three goods of marriage which Augustine delineated and have influenced western thought since: bonum prolis (the good of offspring); bonum fidei (the good of steadfast fidelity); bonum sacramenti (the bond of indissoluble unity that is, in Christians, a sign of Christ's bridal union with his spouse). This permits discussion of marriage as mystery (sacrament) and covenant, by which two people are held in a relationship by divine grace that frees and enables them to fulfill their human potential. "Liturgical marriage is nothing other than natural marriage in its course of transfiguration, whereby ascetical cooperation with grace will lift a natural blessing into the eternal blessedness of the Trinity."