Office of Family Life
Natural Family Planning (NFP)
The privilege of husband and wife to bring new life into the world is a gift from God. It is a sacred responsibility through which they participate in God's creative power. Natural family planning (NFP) helps the couple understand the beauty of this creative power by defining the scientific, natural, and moral aspects of family planning that allow couples either to achieve or postpone pregnancy. NFP is both life-giving, as it brings forth new life in the marital relationship, and love-giving, as it deepens and enriches the bond of love between husband and wife. It truly is good for body and soul!
NFP Week - July 20 - 26, 2025
“Pursue a lasting love… MARRIAGE
Create hope for the future!”
Natural Family Planning - Supporting God's gifts of love and life in marriage
What is NFP?
Natural family planning, or NFP, is an umbrella term for methods that allow a couple to achieve or avoid a pregnancy by monitoring the wife's fertility.
There are many different programs that provide methods of NFP. Each program teaches either the ovulation method or the sympto-thermal method. Each is a safe, natural, and reliable way of timing pregnancy.
In the Diocese of New Ulm both NFP methods are being taught with three programs represented: FertilityCare (ovulation), NFP International (sympto-thermal), and Couple to Couple League (sympto-thermal).
Local NFP physicians, practitioners, and trainers in the Diocese of New Ulm
“Faithfully Yours” - Diocesan NFP Booklet
For more information on NFP and the programs in the diocese, contact Sr. Candace Fier, (507) 233-5328.
Couples' Stories
Catch a glimpse into real-life stories by real-life people! Discover how Natural Family Planning can affect your marriage . . .
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NFP Articles
Love Naturally - The methods of NFP are a support to God's gift of married love.
NFP Saved My Health - Naturally! - How NFP charting can help identify a woman's health issues.
Join the Revolution! - Accompanying couples learning NFP.
Why Natural Family Planning Differs from Contraception - Excerpts from a letter by John Paul II commemorating Humanae Vitae.
Redeemed Sexuality - A popular explanation of the theology behind NFP. (En español)
A Boost for NFP - A pastoral perspective on NFP.
Responsible Parents are Open to Life - Teaching about responsible parenthood.
My Slogan: “Practice Saved Sex!” - Journalist reflects on Natural Family Planning.
Celebrating the Richness of Church Teaching - Catholic teaching on married love and responsible parenthood.
Marriage: The Gift of Love and Life - Reflection on the 40th Anniversary of Humanae Vitae.
Catholic Church Teaching
Discover the beauty of God's gift of marriage and its ability to give you a share in his creative love and power -- a love that brings new life into the world and increases and deepens the love of spouses.
Medical Research & Testimony
Research includes the areas of: NFP, human fertility, and related issues. Great resource for promoting NFP or for your own education and understanding.