Choose a topic from Part 3 Suppl:
1. Marriage brings to the spouses the mutual obligation ofrendering the debt, as it is called; that is, ofsurrendering the body to the generative act.
2. This sacred duty is to be rendered by either spouse atthe will of the other, whether this will be expressed explicitly orindicated implicitly.
3. In the rendering of the marriage debt, husband and wifeare on a plane of perfect equality; both are equally in command;both are equally held to obey.
4. Since marriage involves the duty of rendering the debt,neither spouse, without the full and free consent of the other, isfree to make a vow which conflicts with marriage duty. If onespouse should make such a vow without the consent of the other, hesins. Nor must he keep the vow. Instead, he must do penance for avow unlawfully made.
5. It is wise and prudent, if there be no danger ofconcupiscence, for spouses to abstain sometimes from the use of themarital act, for instance, on holy days.
6. Yet there is no serious obligation on spouses ofpracticing such abstention. And one spouse cannot justly enforceabstention on the other, even at times when it seems suitable forreasons of piety or religion. Recurrent physical inconvenience onthe part of the wife makes it most suitable that the husbandabstain, but if the marriage debt be demanded, even in theseseasons, it is not to be refused.
7. The Church has wisely decreed that marriage (which maybe lawfully enacted at any time) is not to be ceremoniouslycelebrated, with nuptial Mass and blessing, during the seasons ofpenance called Advent and Lent.
"God speaks to us without ceasing by his good inspirations."
The Cure D'Ars
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"What good does it do to speak learnedly about the Trinity if, lacking humility, you displease the Trinity? Indeed it is not learning that makes a man holy and just, but a virtuous life makes him pleasing to God. "
Thomas á Kempis
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"Men should often renew their good resolutions, and not lose heart because they are tempted against them."
St Philip Neri
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