Hi Rev. Frank, to formally introduce myself I am Ana. I am 27 years old and am eager to get married. I can say that this has been my dream as a little a girl and I honestly didn’t think it would ever come true until I met Juan. Ultimately what I can say is the course helped me ask myself questions I never had asked myself before and I am glad I did it. It took me way longer than expected and honestly some questions made me feel uncomfortable but in a good way. I enjoyed learning more about myself while answering the questions and I also was kind of concerned because I did not know how to go about some questions, but I just told myself I was over thinking.
I grew up Catholic but as I got older, I got busier and kind of set aside my religion. I know, I know there shouldn’t be excuses to set my beliefs aside, but I never forgot about God. I pray and I always feel him with me. Going through this experience honestly made me closer and I am excited to finally be married and complete the marriage sacrament. I’m actually really nervous because I am the first from my family to do this and in Juan’s family this is actually super normal and traditional although it is traditionally something we do as Catholics and in our culture my parents and most of my side of the family hasn’t done this so I feel special and honestly pressure.
As far as contributing to my understanding of the marriage sacrament I think overall I learned this isn’t just a ceremony, it’s something special that we hold for the rest of our lives. I also value connection a lot more, I feel the “holiness” in all of this. I truly believe that doing this sacrament will make me feel complete and safe in our marriage. It’s hard to explain. I feel this class helped me understand that this sacrament implies a lot more work than any of the one’s I’ve done.
It helped me learn more that my husband is my life partner and with him and God guiding us, we can walk through anything life throws at us. It’s a lifelong commitment of faithful love. It’s not a contract, it’s meaningful and that’s what I want to be connected by something more than a paper. What I would say to other couples who are going to complete this sacrament is to take it seriously. This is a lifelong commitment, stick by each other. This is a union designed by God to encourage, love, abide by each other while seeking God first. – Ana
This experience was extra hard for me because I struggle to communicate and express myself. What I would say to other couples is to never give up on yourself in order to be happy with the person you love. I grew up in a household where emotion wasn’t shown and sometimes it’s hard for me to show Ana how much I love her, and I thank God I was able to find someone who understands me. This journey has helped me reflect on myself and our relationship in every way possible and helped understand much more the sacrament of marriage and what it entitles. I can’t wait to start my life with Ana and be united as one through God. – Juan
