Office of Family Life
Celebrating the holy family & marriage
february: dedicated to the holy family
February is traditionally dedicated to the Holy Family, who offer a timeless model of faithful, self‑giving married love. God calls marriage to be lifelong, open to life, and rooted in trust in His plan. Through this love, spouses share in God’s creative work and become a sign of Christ’s love for His Church (cf. Eph 5:32). Even amid the challenges of today’s culture, the Church invites couples to “be not afraid” and to trust that God’s design for marriage brings deep joy and lasting fulfillment.
To support married couples during National Marriage Week, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops offers a free At‑Home Couples’ Retreat, designed to help spouses pray, reflect, and grow together in their vocation. Couples are encouraged to set aside a few minutes each day to renew their commitment and deepen their relationship with one another and with Christ.
National Marriage Week (February 8-14)
National Marriage Week is a time set aside to celebrate the gift of marriage and to support couples in their vocation of married life. Rooted in the Church’s understanding of marriage as a covenant of love between husband and wife, this week provides an opportunity for couples to reflect on their commitment, strengthen their relationship, and grow together in faith.
Marriage plays a vital role in the life of the Church and in society. Through their faithful love, married couples become living signs of Christ’s love for the Church, offering a witness of unity, fidelity, and self‑giving love. National Marriage Week highlights the importance of nurturing marriage at every stage—whether couples are newly married or celebrating many years together—by setting aside time to reconnect, deepen communication, and renew their promise to love one another.
Throughout the week, couples are invited to celebrate their marriage through simple yet meaningful practices: Prayer, Intentional Time Together, Shared Conversation, and Gratitude.
Pray Together
Prayer is at the heart of a strong and lasting marriage. Taking time to pray together allows couples to place their relationship before God and to listen more deeply to His presence at work in their lives.
The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops has prepared a Lectio Divina reflection for married couples specifically for National Marriage Week.
This prayerful meditation offers a sacred opportunity to listen to Sacred Scripture, reflect together, and respond to God’s Word within the context of married life.
Lectio Divina is a prayerful way of reading Scripture that encourages reflection, conversation, and openness to the Holy Spirit. Couples may use this resource at home on their own or as part of a parish or small‑group gathering.
Intentional Time Together
Even small moments of intentional time together can strengthen a marriage. National Marriage Week is an invitation for couples to pause, reconnect, and focus on their relationship in simple and meaningful ways. The ideas below offer practical examples to help couples spend intentional time together, especially within the rhythms of family life.
1. Pray Together After Bedtime
Once the children are asleep, light a candle and offer a short prayer of gratitude for your marriage and family.
2. Special Family Dinner, Then Couple Time
Invite your children to help with a simple “special” meal. After bedtime, enjoy dessert or conversation together as a couple.
3. Attend Mass Together (or as a Family)
Go to Mass and later share one thing you noticed or appreciated in the readings or homily.
4. Re‑Create a Date at Home
Order take‑out or make a favorite meal after the kids are in bed. Set the table, turn off screens, and enjoy intentional time together.
5. Short Scripture Reflection
Read a brief Scripture passage (such as 1 Corinthians 13) and share one word or phrase that stood out to you.
6. Write a Note of Gratitude
Leave a short handwritten note for your spouse—on the counter, in a bag, or by the bed—expressing appreciation.
7. Bless One Another
End the evening by making the Sign of the Cross on each other’s forehead and offering a simple prayer of blessing.
Shared Conversation
Meaningful conversation is essential to a strong and healthy marriage. Creating space for honest, respectful dialogue fosters understanding, unity, and growth. By talking intentionally about hopes, challenges, blessings, and areas for growth, couples can listen more deeply to one another and better recognize God’s presence at work in their relationship.
The Couple’s Connection Plan is a guided resource created to support these conversations. Through prayerful reflection and discussion, couples are invited to explore shared goals, personal and spiritual growth, values, new traditions, and both the blessings and challenges of married life. This resource offers a practical and meaningful way to strengthen communication and grow together in love and faith.
Gratitude
Gratitude is at the heart of a joyful and lasting marriage. Taking time to thank God for the gift of one another helps couples recognize God’s faithfulness throughout their life together. This prayer invites couples to pause in thanksgiving, offering gratitude to God for their spouse and the blessing of marriage.
CLICK HERE - For more information and additional resources on National Marriage Week