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Theology of the BodyTheology of the Body
The Family and the Blessed TrinityThe Family and the Blessed Trinity
Fr. Edward J. Richard, MSFr. Edward J. Richard, MS
Law and MoralityLaw and Morality
If we compare the current trend in law with the If we compare the current trend in law with the traditional relationship between law and morality, traditional relationship between law and morality, the result of the interest in legal theory in social the result of the interest in legal theory in social engineering has been a diminishment of familial engineering has been a diminishment of familial cohesion and a reformulation of the notion of cohesion and a reformulation of the notion of freedom, once seen as an inalienable right, to a freedom, once seen as an inalienable right, to a radical idea unrelated to the human person as radical idea unrelated to the human person as such such
EvangelizationEvangelization
Marriage preparation involves a process of Marriage preparation involves a process of evangelization which is both aevangelization which is both a maturation and maturation and deepening in the faith. deepening in the faith.
If the faith is weak or almost nonexistent (cf. If the faith is weak or almost nonexistent (cf. Familiaris Consortio = FC 68), it must be Familiaris Consortio = FC 68), it must be revived. revived. Thorough, patient instruction that arouses and Thorough, patient instruction that arouses and
nourishes the ardor of a living faith cannot be nourishes the ardor of a living faith cannot be excluded. excluded.
EvangelizationEvangelization
A "journey of faith, A "journey of faith, similar to the catechumenate" similar to the catechumenate" presentation of the fundamental Christian presentation of the fundamental Christian
truths truths Marriage preparation Marriage preparation
a new evangelization for the future families.a new evangelization for the future families.
IntroductionIntroduction
Begins in December of 1980Begins in December of 1980 ““New Creation” New Creation”
The inner man is the subject of the ethos of the The inner man is the subject of the ethos of the bodybody
The historical manThe historical man Man of concupiscenceMan of concupiscence
The Ethos of RedemptionThe Ethos of Redemption
Redemption informs the meaning of marriage Redemption informs the meaning of marriage even as one reads the Genesis textseven as one reads the Genesis texts
What is at stake is the “hope of everyday”What is at stake is the “hope of everyday” Incarnation, Redemption, Resurrection inform Incarnation, Redemption, Resurrection inform
the definition of “goods” for married life todaythe definition of “goods” for married life today Redemption of the body-Romans 8:23Redemption of the body-Romans 8:23
The fulfillment of the spousal meaning of the bodyThe fulfillment of the spousal meaning of the body
In the BeginningIn the Beginning
Jesus’ encounter with the Pharisees: Mt 19:3Jesus’ encounter with the Pharisees: Mt 19:3 Is it lawful for a Is it lawful for a manman to divorce his wife? to divorce his wife?
Moses allowed divorce out of the hardness of Moses allowed divorce out of the hardness of your heartsyour hearts
It was not so in the Beginning.It was not so in the Beginning. Contrasts Contrasts
the state of primitive innocence-integral naturethe state of primitive innocence-integral nature with the state of human sinfulness-fallen naturewith the state of human sinfulness-fallen nature
CommentaryCommentaryGen 1:26-31Gen 1:26-31
God’s intention-to make man God’s intention-to make man [adam][adam] in his in his image and likenessimage and likeness ““The Creator seems to halt before calling him into The Creator seems to halt before calling him into
existence, as if he were pondering within himself existence, as if he were pondering within himself to make a decision: ‘Let us make man in our to make a decision: ‘Let us make man in our image, after our likeness’”image, after our likeness’”
The body-as imageThe body-as image
Image-Royal RepresentativeImage-Royal Representative
Selem-The “Image” in ExodusSelem-The “Image” in Exodus God’s intention in creating adamGod’s intention in creating adam personal addresspersonal address The SabbathThe Sabbath unique and self-consciousunique and self-conscious self-determinationself-determination
Original Innocence and ExperiencesOriginal Innocence and Experiences
Original SolitudeOriginal Solitude Original UnityOriginal Unity Original NakednessOriginal Nakedness
These do not belong only to man’s theological These do not belong only to man’s theological prehistory; they are always at the root of every prehistory; they are always at the root of every human experience.human experience.
They are part of the “revelation of the body”They are part of the “revelation of the body”
Original SolitudeOriginal Solitude Gen 2:18Gen 2:18
It is not good that man should be alone; I will make him It is not good that man should be alone; I will make him a helper fit for him” a helper fit for him”
This is the second account of creation, Yahwist, This is the second account of creation, Yahwist, creation of first man is different from the first creation of first man is different from the first womanwoman
The creation of the first man [adam] is defined as The creation of the first man [adam] is defined as male [‘is] only after the creation of the first male [‘is] only after the creation of the first woman [‘issah]woman [‘issah] When Gods speaks, then, about the solitude it is When Gods speaks, then, about the solitude it is
reference to solitude of “man” as such, not just about reference to solitude of “man” as such, not just about the malethe male
Original SolitudeOriginal Solitude
Man discovers his uniquenessMan discovers his uniqueness A consciousness of himself through his bodyA consciousness of himself through his body
Solitude has two meaningsSolitude has two meanings One deriving from human nature as suchOne deriving from human nature as such
It is a search about what it means to be human; in It is a search about what it means to be human; in search of his own identitysearch of his own identity
One deriving from the relationship between One deriving from the relationship between male and femalemale and female
Original SolitudeOriginal Solitude
But he is “alone”-distinguished from the But he is “alone”-distinguished from the animalia (other living beings)-he is differentanimalia (other living beings)-he is different
Consciousness of the bodyConsciousness of the body Man is a subjectMan is a subject
Because of awarenessBecause of awareness Because of his own bodyBecause of his own body
Because of his “authorship” of human activityBecause of his “authorship” of human activity Because the human body expresses a personBecause the human body expresses a person
Original SolitudeOriginal Solitude
The human body-he is a body among bodiesThe human body-he is a body among bodies ““Man, thus formed, has a consciousness and Man, thus formed, has a consciousness and
awareness of the meaning of his own body, on awareness of the meaning of his own body, on the basis of the experience of original solitude.” the basis of the experience of original solitude.” (TB, 39)(TB, 39)
Original SolitudeOriginal Solitude
The alternative between death and The alternative between death and immortality (if you eat of the tree, you shall immortality (if you eat of the tree, you shall die)die) Establishes the eschatological meaning of the Establishes the eschatological meaning of the
body and humanity itselfbody and humanity itself Distinct from other living beingsDistinct from other living beings Has a unique relationship, covenant with GodHas a unique relationship, covenant with God These words reveal a dimension of solitude These words reveal a dimension of solitude
previously unknownpreviously unknown
Original UnityOriginal Unity - Gn 2:21-24- Gn 2:21-24
““It is not good that man should be alone; I It is not good that man should be alone; I will make a helper similar to himself” v. 18will make a helper similar to himself” v. 18
creation of womancreation of woman He falls “asleep” in order to wake up male and He falls “asleep” in order to wake up male and
femalefemale In Gen 2:23 we see the distinction between In Gen 2:23 we see the distinction between
‘is and ‘issah for the first time‘is and ‘issah for the first time
Original UnityOriginal Unity - Gn 2:21-24- Gn 2:21-24
The original experience of Unity is founded The original experience of Unity is founded on the mutual reciprocity between the twoon the mutual reciprocity between the two
Distinction between male and female, both in Distinction between male and female, both in “solitude”“solitude”
Sexual difference, yet somatic samenessSexual difference, yet somatic sameness Oriented toward a communion of personsOriented toward a communion of persons
Original UnityOriginal Unity
The human person loves and expresses love in and The human person loves and expresses love in and through the bodythrough the body
The creation of the womanThe creation of the woman Overcomes the frontier of solitudeOvercomes the frontier of solitude This, at last, is flesh of my flesh and bone of my boneThis, at last, is flesh of my flesh and bone of my bone
Creation of woman fulfills the creation of the human Creation of woman fulfills the creation of the human personperson
Original UnityOriginal Unity - Gn 2:21-24- Gn 2:21-24
Gift Gift mutual gift-Gn 2:24: A man shall leave his mutual gift-Gn 2:24: A man shall leave his
father and mother… and the two become one father and mother… and the two become one fleshflesh
leads to communion of personsleads to communion of persons in every aspect of life in every aspect of life through a through a total, reciprocaltotal, reciprocal gift gift communion is foremost in “image”communion is foremost in “image” gift of Godgift of God
Original UnityOriginal Unity
The distinction between male (‘is) and female The distinction between male (‘is) and female (‘issah) introduced(‘issah) introduced
As embodied persons, their masculinity and As embodied persons, their masculinity and femininity allow for unity of personsfemininity allow for unity of persons
The reality of sex appearsThe reality of sex appears
Original UnityOriginal Unity
The two discover the immense joy of loving The two discover the immense joy of loving union expressed through their bodiesunion expressed through their bodies
Unity comes through reciprocal donationUnity comes through reciprocal donation
Through intellect and will they have dominion Through intellect and will they have dominion over their bodies allowing for the expression over their bodies allowing for the expression of authentic loveof authentic love
Original UnityOriginal Unity
The two ways of being human turn out to be The two ways of being human turn out to be oriented toward a communion of personsoriented toward a communion of persons
Original UnityOriginal Unity God did indeed create the human body to express the God did indeed create the human body to express the
person. Therefore, God gave the minds and wills of our person. Therefore, God gave the minds and wills of our first parents a certain control over their bodies. They first parents a certain control over their bodies. They were able to express their persons in through their were able to express their persons in through their bodies because their bodies, unlike ours, were under bodies because their bodies, unlike ours, were under the rule of their minds and wills. Consciousness, the rule of their minds and wills. Consciousness, efficacy, freedom, transcendence, and truth were efficacy, freedom, transcendence, and truth were expressed in and through their bodies. In other words, expressed in and through their bodies. In other words, they were integrated. The wills of our first parents did they were integrated. The wills of our first parents did not have to struggle against the desires of their flesh. not have to struggle against the desires of their flesh. Our first parents had no need of will power as we do. Our first parents had no need of will power as we do. The experience of original unity was possible for our The experience of original unity was possible for our first parents because both, within themselves, were first parents because both, within themselves, were completely in harmony. There was no opposition, as completely in harmony. There was no opposition, as there is in us, between the mind and the will, on the there is in us, between the mind and the will, on the one hand, and the body, on the other. Hogan, one hand, and the body, on the other. Hogan, Covenant of LoveCovenant of Love, 48., 48.
Original UnityOriginal Unity
The concept of “gift”The concept of “gift”
The key to sexualityThe key to sexuality
A total gift of self in a reciprocal relationshipA total gift of self in a reciprocal relationship
Original UnityOriginal Unity
The summit of the creation accountThe summit of the creation account A communion of persons, husband/wifeA communion of persons, husband/wife In every aspect of lifeIn every aspect of life Through total, reciprocal self-giftThrough total, reciprocal self-gift Communion of persons image the limitless Communion of persons image the limitless
communion of the divine Personscommunion of the divine Persons
Original UnityOriginal Unity
Gen 2:24: “One flesh”Gen 2:24: “One flesh” This is why a man leaves his father and mother and This is why a man leaves his father and mother and
the two become one fleshthe two become one flesh Muliple dimensionsMuliple dimensions
Ethical-marriage, one and indissolubleEthical-marriage, one and indissoluble Sacramental-St. Paul (Eph) and the prophetsSacramental-St. Paul (Eph) and the prophets
““Incarnate” communion of personsIncarnate” communion of persons Emotional-Happiness in communionEmotional-Happiness in communion
Original NakednessOriginal Nakedness
Gen 2:25Gen 2:25 Both of were naked…but they felt no shame in Both of were naked…but they felt no shame in
front of each otherfront of each other The point of departure for the experience of The point of departure for the experience of
“historical” man is the state of original “historical” man is the state of original innocenceinnocence
By reference to the “beginning” Christ By reference to the “beginning” Christ establishes the idea of continuity and establishes the idea of continuity and connection between the twoconnection between the two
Original NakednessOriginal Nakedness
The fundamental messageThe fundamental message Authentic gift of self; the experience of joy and Authentic gift of self; the experience of joy and
innocenceinnocence They are free with regard to themselvesThey are free with regard to themselves The absence of shame is not a lack of insufficient The absence of shame is not a lack of insufficient
development. development. There is rather a particular fullness of consciousness There is rather a particular fullness of consciousness
and experienceand experience
Original NakednessOriginal Nakedness
The gift of selfThe gift of self The reciprocal experience of the otherThe reciprocal experience of the other The absence of shame underlines the peace and The absence of shame underlines the peace and
tranquility of the “interior gaze” mutually tranquility of the “interior gaze” mutually bestowedbestowed
Their serenity shows their interior harmony with Their serenity shows their interior harmony with Creator’s plan by their unionCreator’s plan by their union
Gift emphasizes the quality of the relationshipGift emphasizes the quality of the relationship
Original NakednessOriginal Nakedness
They are free with regard to themselvesThey are free with regard to themselves Their interior harmony manifests their freedom to Their interior harmony manifests their freedom to
give themselvesgive themselves To do this they must be masters of themselvesTo do this they must be masters of themselves They are free and can give without falling prey to They are free and can give without falling prey to
self-seekingself-seeking With no presence of shame, they are fully With no presence of shame, they are fully
conscious of the meaning of the body that comes conscious of the meaning of the body that comes from the typical perception of the senses.from the typical perception of the senses.
Remember this? Freedom and Remember this? Freedom and MoralityMorality
Human BeingHuman Being
The Goal of Human Life
Virtues
Freedom: The ability to choose Freedom: The ability to choose the Goodthe Good
Human freedom is the God-given ability to Human freedom is the God-given ability to choose the means to our ultimate end choose the means to our ultimate end
The End (telos) presupposes a natureThe End (telos) presupposes a nature
Morality is about the means toward fulfillment Morality is about the means toward fulfillment of our natureof our nature
Original NakednessOriginal Nakedness
Human Nature (image of God)
Gift of Self
The Hidden Meaning of VisionThe Hidden Meaning of Vision
““God saw everything that he had made and God saw everything that he had made and indeed it was very good.” 1:31indeed it was very good.” 1:31
Nakedness signifies the original good of the Nakedness signifies the original good of the divine vision.divine vision.
It has an inner dimension of the share in the It has an inner dimension of the share in the vision of the Creator himself.vision of the Creator himself.
They realize the full meaning of the body from They realize the full meaning of the body from the heart of their communionthe heart of their communion
A Spousal Meaning of the BodyA Spousal Meaning of the Body
The vision yields the truth about the bodyThe vision yields the truth about the body Man appears in Creation as one who, in the Man appears in Creation as one who, in the
midst of the world, has received the other as midst of the world, has received the other as a gifta gift
““Being-gift”Being-gift” Reciprocal total self-giftReciprocal total self-gift A person is a being who gives himself/herselfA person is a being who gives himself/herself The origin of the definition of person is the The origin of the definition of person is the
Creator’s giftCreator’s gift
Spousal Meaning of the BodySpousal Meaning of the Body
Conjugal Significance of the BodyConjugal Significance of the Body Not content with original solitudeNot content with original solitude Open to communionOpen to communion Total gift of self is gateway to communion Total gift of self is gateway to communion
Summary of Original Meaning of Summary of Original Meaning of SexualitySexuality
Conjugal significance of the bodyConjugal significance of the body Body has a nuptial meaningBody has a nuptial meaning
““man comes ‘into being’ with consciousness of this man comes ‘into being’ with consciousness of this finality of his own masculinity-femininity”finality of his own masculinity-femininity”
Aware of his procreative capacity as male and Aware of his procreative capacity as male and female, they are free from the constraint of the body female, they are free from the constraint of the body and sexand sex
Summary of Original Meaning of Summary of Original Meaning of SexualitySexuality
The nature of FreedomThe nature of Freedom Freedom is the fundamental characteristic of a Freedom is the fundamental characteristic of a
person that makes possible the truth of the giftperson that makes possible the truth of the gift It makes the language of the body trueIt makes the language of the body true Our freedom is our capacity for givingOur freedom is our capacity for giving
The FallThe Fall
In Light of the Sermon on the Mount In Light of the Sermon on the Mount
Matt. 5:27-28 “Whoever looks to Matt. 5:27-28 “Whoever looks to Desire…”Desire…”
The FallThe Fall
The Sermon on the MountThe Sermon on the Mount You have heard it said, you shall not commit You have heard it said, you shall not commit
adultery, I say to you that anyone who looks adultery, I say to you that anyone who looks with “desire” at a woman has already with “desire” at a woman has already committed adultery with her in his heart. committed adultery with her in his heart.
Sermon on the MountSermon on the Mount
Mt 5:17 Do not think that I have come to Mt 5:17 Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish but to fulfillcome to abolish but to fulfill
The appeal is to the inner man.The appeal is to the inner man. ““Desire” refers to something born immediately Desire” refers to something born immediately
in the heart Mt 5:27-28in the heart Mt 5:27-28 We are directed to the threefold structure of We are directed to the threefold structure of
concupiscenceconcupiscence
The FallThe Fall
1Jn 2:16-17 1Jn 2:16-17 ““For all that is in the world, the concupiscence For all that is in the world, the concupiscence
of the flesh, the concupiscence of the eyes and of the flesh, the concupiscence of the eyes and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passes away, and the the world. And the world passes away, and the concupiscence of it, but he who does the will of concupiscence of it, but he who does the will of God abides forever.”God abides forever.”
The FallThe Fall
Gen 3Gen 3 The woman saw that the tree was good for food, and The woman saw that the tree was good for food, and
that it was pleasant to the eyes, and desirable for that it was pleasant to the eyes, and desirable for gaining wisdom…(5)gaining wisdom…(5)
……Then the eyes of both of them were opened and they Then the eyes of both of them were opened and they realized that they were naked. So they sewed fig leaves realized that they were naked. So they sewed fig leaves together to make themselves loin cloths. (7)together to make themselves loin cloths. (7)
Where are you? … I heard you in the garden and I was Where are you? … I heard you in the garden and I was afraid, because I was naked, and I hid myself. (9-10)afraid, because I was naked, and I hid myself. (9-10)
The FallThe Fall
The “Fruit” of the Breach of the Covenant-The “Fruit” of the Breach of the Covenant-ConcupiscenceConcupiscence
The covenant was broken in the heartThe covenant was broken in the heart
Concupiscence comes from the worldConcupiscence comes from the world
The FallThe Fall
It comes from doubt about the original giftIt comes from doubt about the original gift ““Questioning in his heart the deepest meaning Questioning in his heart the deepest meaning
of the donation, that is, love as the specific of the donation, that is, love as the specific motive of the creation and of the original motive of the creation and of the original covenant (cf. Gn 3:5), man turns his back on covenant (cf. Gn 3:5), man turns his back on God-Love, on the Father. In a way he casts God-Love, on the Father. In a way he casts God out of his heart. At the same time, he God out of his heart. At the same time, he detaches his heart and almost cuts it off from detaches his heart and almost cuts it off from what is ‘of the Father.’ Thus, there remains in what is ‘of the Father.’ Thus, there remains in him what is ‘of the world.’” (111)him what is ‘of the world.’” (111)
The FallThe Fall
Nakedness and shame are new to the Nakedness and shame are new to the consciousnessconsciousness
Gen 3:10Gen 3:10 I was naked and I hid myselfI was naked and I hid myself The need to hide shows the depth of shame they feel The need to hide shows the depth of shame they feel
before each otherbefore each other A sense of fear of God has matured which was A sense of fear of God has matured which was
previously unknownpreviously unknown ““Nakedness” reveals that they are deprived of Nakedness” reveals that they are deprived of
participation in the Gift.participation in the Gift.
The Destruction of UnityThe Destruction of Unity
In Original Innocence nakedness represented In Original Innocence nakedness represented acceptance of the bodyacceptance of the body First sign of presence of Man in the worldFirst sign of presence of Man in the world Confirmed as a personConfirmed as a person Faithful witness and verification of solitude in the Faithful witness and verification of solitude in the
worldworld Transparent component of self-giving, masculine Transparent component of self-giving, masculine
and feminineand feminine Unquestionable sign of the image of GodUnquestionable sign of the image of God
I Hid MyselfI Hid Myself
Loss of the original certainty of the image of Loss of the original certainty of the image of God expressed in the bodyGod expressed in the body
Loss of the right to participate in the divine Loss of the right to participate in the divine vision of the world and the joy that came from vision of the world and the joy that came from living the truth about the bodyliving the truth about the body
The body has ceased drawing power on the The body has ceased drawing power on the power of the spirit which raised him to the power of the spirit which raised him to the level of Image of Godlevel of Image of God
Now humiliation is mediated by the bodyNow humiliation is mediated by the body
The FallThe Fall
Body contains a center of resistanceBody contains a center of resistance A breakdown of spiritual and somatic unityA breakdown of spiritual and somatic unity Body is no longer subordinated to the spiritBody is no longer subordinated to the spirit Concupiscence is a specific threat to the Concupiscence is a specific threat to the
structure of self-masterystructure of self-mastery He is ashamed of his body owing to the state of his He is ashamed of his body owing to the state of his
spirit, not so much of his body, but precisely because spirit, not so much of his body, but precisely because of concupiscence.of concupiscence.
The FallThe Fall
Domination in interpersonal relationsDomination in interpersonal relations Concupiscence causes a distortion Concupiscence causes a distortion
The simplicity and purity of the original experience The simplicity and purity of the original experience disappeardisappear
The capacity of full and mutual communion endsThe capacity of full and mutual communion ends The heart holds within itself desire and shameThe heart holds within itself desire and shame
The FallThe Fall
They find themselves divided, even opposedThey find themselves divided, even opposed Gen 3:16 Your desire shall be for your husband Gen 3:16 Your desire shall be for your husband
and he shall rule over youand he shall rule over you They are still called to union and unity, but are also They are still called to union and unity, but are also
threatened by the insatiability of that union and threatened by the insatiability of that union and unity. It does not cease to attract man and woman unity. It does not cease to attract man and woman precisely because they are persons called from precisely because they are persons called from eternity to exist in communion.eternity to exist in communion.
Sexual shame is connected to the failure to satisfy Sexual shame is connected to the failure to satisfy the aspiration to realize in the conjugal union of the the aspiration to realize in the conjugal union of the body the mutual communion of persons.body the mutual communion of persons.
Corruption of Body’s Spousal Corruption of Body’s Spousal MeaningMeaning
Domination-Communion of persons is Domination-Communion of persons is replaced by mutual relationship of possession replaced by mutual relationship of possession of the other as object of desireof the other as object of desire
In the heart, masc. and fem. mutual relations In the heart, masc. and fem. mutual relations are no longer the expression of the spirit that are no longer the expression of the spirit that seeks personal communionseeks personal communion
Spousal meaning is not suffocated but Spousal meaning is not suffocated but habitually threatenedhabitually threatened
ContrastContrast
Gen 3:16 Gen 3:16 Your desire shall be for Your desire shall be for
your husband, but he your husband, but he will dominate youwill dominate you
Matt 5:27-28Matt 5:27-28 Whoever looks at a Whoever looks at a
woman to desire her…woman to desire her…makes her into an makes her into an adulteress in his heartadulteress in his heart
The man ought to have been “from the beginning” the guardian of the reciprocity of the gift and of its true balance.
The “Look” is the ThresholdThe “Look” is the Threshold
Christ teaches us to see the look as the threshold of Christ teaches us to see the look as the threshold of the interior truth. the interior truth.
When one “looks to desire” he experiences the When one “looks to desire” he experiences the detachment from the spousal meaning of the body detachment from the spousal meaning of the body which is the basis of the communion of personswhich is the basis of the communion of persons
Looking to desire devalues the body; the procreative Looking to desire devalues the body; the procreative meaning, rooted in the spousal meaning, ceases, also.meaning, rooted in the spousal meaning, ceases, also.
In the heart, the authentic meaning of the body proper In the heart, the authentic meaning of the body proper to the person is obscured.to the person is obscured.
Communio personarum (community of Communio personarum (community of persons)persons)
The form of the new man can emerge from this The form of the new man can emerge from this way of being and acting, to the extent to which the way of being and acting, to the extent to which the ethos of the redemption of the body dominates the ethos of the redemption of the body dominates the lust of the flesh and the whole man of temperance lust of the flesh and the whole man of temperance and mastery of desires, that is, at the very root, and mastery of desires, that is, at the very root, already in the purely interior sphere. The ethos of already in the purely interior sphere. The ethos of redemption contains in every area–and directly in redemption contains in every area–and directly in the sphere of the lust of the flesh–the imperative of the sphere of the lust of the flesh–the imperative of self-control, the necessity of immediate continence self-control, the necessity of immediate continence and habitual temperance.and habitual temperance.
Pius XI Casti Connubi 1931Pius XI Casti Connubi 1931
This mutual inward molding of husband and wife, This mutual inward molding of husband and wife, this determined effort to perfect each other, can in a this determined effort to perfect each other, can in a very real sense, as the Roman Catechism teaches, be very real sense, as the Roman Catechism teaches, be said to be the chief reason and purpose of matrimony, said to be the chief reason and purpose of matrimony, provided matrimony be looked at not in the restricted provided matrimony be looked at not in the restricted sense as instituted for the proper conception and sense as instituted for the proper conception and education of children, but more widely as the education of children, but more widely as the blending of life as a whole and the mutual blending of life as a whole and the mutual interchange and sharing thereof. interchange and sharing thereof.