What is the essence of marriage? How is the conjugal life a way to salvation? How is it that natural family planning safeguards mutual love and fidelity and gives proof of a true and authentic love . . . a love expressed more deeply and with heightened intensty? What is the difference between contraception and natural family planning? What is the family's mission? What is its role in God's plan? How is the sacrament of marriage an invitation for couples to become signs and reflections of the triune love of God?

Pope John Paul II set up a special council for the family to help promote authentic Catholic family life. Cardinal Gagnon, President of the Pontifical Council for the Family, has organized a yearly assembly on issues most directly affecting Catholic family life. This brings together both experts and scholars from around the world as well as Catholic couples from every continent. The talks which are given apply Catholic teaching to contemporary situations and the Catholic couples respond with their own personal experiences from different cultures and environments.

This book is a collection of the presentations and responses of the third international assembly, which focused on applying Catholic teaching to the problems and challenges of married and family life.

"Discovering the divine power that enlivens the Christin family's human existence will help couples be strong in the face of the real difficulties that arise in living the requirements of the Faith."
EdouardCardinalGagnon
From the Foreword