NFP: A Message of Conversion

When I was a parish priest in Orange County I started a marriage preparation program with a middle aged couple who helped develop a great team which included myself, another priest, another couple with many children, and an NFP certified teacher.

During the sessions the older couple often shared their story, which included their own journey of faith. They had been married in the 1970’s with very little preparation and had “bought in” to the contraceptive mentality, as had many others. In the course of their marriage they went through difficulties that almost ended in divorce. However, they did not give up; instead they sought help and experienced a conversion. The husband, who had been non-Catholic, converted and the wife made a new commitment to her Catholic faith. From that point on they stopped contracepting and began to teach for Engaged Encounter. Now their lives are changed and they love to help couples see the beauty of natural family planning as they teach in the parish marriage program. They have become witnesses to true married love that is faithful even after serious struggles.
As priests we are called to share the Gospel, which is good news. The message of Natural Family Planning was good news to this couple and can be a message of conversion and hope for all couples. Our task is to make it known so that more couples will have the opportunity of making the right choices for the good of their marriage, for the health of the wife/mother, and for the good of their children.