Married couples rediscover marriage sacrament |28 August 2020

With the aim of providing renewed perspective to the holy matrimony of marriage, the Association for the Promotion of Solid Humane Families (APSHF) hosted a session targeted at married couples.

Around 15 couples attended the half-day session held on Saturday at the STC conference hall.

Organised annually, the half-day session for married couples aims to foster their knowledge on the sacrament of marriage, the lasting commitment between two persons, and help establish more intimate and stronger relationships.

“Some years ago we hosted previous sessions to assist married couples to rediscover the sacrament of marriage and they were very receptive to this which is why we have continued holding the workshops,” said the chief executive of APSHF, Rosie Denis.

The session’s theme was matrimonial spirituality which focused on their vocation as a couple and their mission as parents, husbands and wives.

“At the same time, we wanted to take note of their position in regards to their children’s education since there are some couples who do not have the necessary baggage to raise their children. Now with Covid-19, we know that there are many couples who are busy with work, trying to make ends meet,” stated Mrs Denis.

“Our families in Seychelles really need this. Often, when couples complete the programme in preparation for marriage there is nothing after that initial training, which is why couples sometimes falter.”

With the help of the APSHF’s chaplain, Father Lonnie Adrienne, the association is also encouraging these couples to join family groups in the Catholic church such as the ‘Couples for Christ’ movement.

During the session, Father Lonnie explained: “Matrimonial spirituality is when a couple is called to live in spirituality. Sacramental marriage is a union before God so that the persons love wholly, abundantly and fertile that is irreversible because the couple is emulating the love of Jesus.”

Cathrina and Vincent Amelie were among the couples in attendance, and with 9 years of marriage the couple has found it necessary to develop a deeper understanding of the sacrament.

“We decided to attend this workshop because it is important for us to revisit our marriage sacrament and its necessity in our lives,” said Mrs Amelie.

“After being married for so long, you always need that little reminder of the good behaviour that we might have lost along the way and provide a breath of fresh air into the relationship,” her husband added.

APSHF organises various activities as part of its efforts to promote family well-being such as conferences and workshops for married and unwed couples, educational sessions for young children and teenagers, parenting sessions and retreats for widows.

“Right now, we are working with a group of parents in Anse Boileau. We also seek to engage men in their own specific workshops,” noted Mrs Denis.

The accompanying photos taken by our photographer Thomas Meriton show some highlights of the workshop on Saturday.

Elsie Pointe