Conjugal Spirituality

Mary Anne Oliver develops an alternate to 'celibate' religious practices, drawing from the experience of couples and diverse sources in the Christian tradition. This work explores the dynamics of conjugal love.

Most Christians hold marriage to be a sacrament, created and uniquely blessed by God. Yet, the theology of marriage rarely matches its actual experience. Marriage is too often discovered to be a violent, loveless institution, and increasingly it is delayed, avoided, and terminated.

“We all know that the perfect family does not exist, nor a perfect husband or wife”. (Pope Francis – Feb. 2014) In his thought provoking book, John Cogavin, sets out to demonstrate how every wife and husband, despite imperfections, can deepen and develop their relationship through their spirituality. Reflecting on personal, Christian and married spirituality the book goes on to delve into the timeless question: What is Love? It facilitates the couple as they journey together on their special path, exploring each other’s individual uniqueness as human and spiritual beings. Tracing the history and significance of marriage in society, the book unfolds the fundamentals of the commitment of love, involving the totality of each person. Showing how as a couple grow in friendship, fun and freedom they become what it is they wish to be in their own space, time and place. A place where each can be vulnerable, feel like they belong and in a communion of hearts surrender to the other in the intimacy of love. The Spirituality of Married Life; can give a once-in-a-life time opportunity to step back from the hectic pace of life, to reflect on your own spirituality from a holistic and married perspective. The book will help those preparing for marriage, others setting out on the journey and those couples seeking added spiritual richness within their relationships. John writes from his own life experience. He is married to Elaine and they have three adult sons. The book reflects their search together as a couple supporting each other in finding real meaning and purpose in their married life.

This textbook is a systematic guide to the extensive field of spirituality. Kees Waaijman charts the multiform phenomenon of spirituality: the spirituality of ordinary people, the great spiritual traditions and the force of counter-movements. From the foundation of this survey he answers questions like: What exactly is spirituality? What forms can a scholarly approach take? Finally, the book provides methodic access to the study of spirituality, focusing on the following questions: Which are the different forms of spirituality and how can we describe them? How can spiritual texts be given a reliable reading? Which themes can be distinguished in the field of spirituality and what would be a meaningful way to address them? What do we mean by spiritual guidance and what can we learn from it? This textbook has no equal. It is indispensable to scholars wishing to study the subject, but also to others who want to learn about spirituality.

This book is a look at the spirituality of marriage through the lens of Christian spirituality. It will help you see how your faith and spirituality is lived out daily in your marriage, not just in the churchy activities you may attend. Through looking at grace, vocation, community, asceticism, incarnation, discernment, dying, and rising, you will see more fully the holiness of what you are already living in your marriage, as well as some ways that you can enhance and support that holiness. The term “holiness” may not be used that often when it comes to marriage, but when you begin to see God's presence everywhere, it is clear that your life is holy—that is, drenched in God—indeed.

An exploration of marital spirituality that weaves spiritual practice (lectio divina for couples) ancient wisdom, stories, personal experience and contemporary interpersonal process to help bring new life to marriage.

The early Christian and medieval practice of spiritual marriage, in which husband and wife mutually and voluntarily relinquish sexual activity for reasons of piety, plays an important role in the development of the institution of marriage and in the understanding of female religiosity. Drawing on hagiography, chronicles, theology, canon law, and pastoral sources, Dyan Elliott traces the history of spiritual marriage in the West from apostolic times to the beginning of the sixteenth century.

There are certain spiritual truths you should know before you start dating, having sex, or start thinking about marriage. Ignorance of spiritual matters may become a source of problems for you and your descendants. Currently, our sexuality is under tremendous attack. Spiritual marriages to demonic entities have become a source of hidden problems in our relationships. Nothing in this world happens by chance. Not with God, nor the devil. In the realm of the spirit there are no accidents. People who allow events in their lives to pass without connecting them to spiritual issues, not only don't understand what is happening to them, they also can't do anything to change their world. This manual along with the companion books, "Killing Me Softly," "Dad And Mom Pray For Me: Prepare The Way," will help and equip you to trample and overcome evil enforcers assigned to steal, kill, destroy, or truncate your destiny and that of loved ones, your marriage, your family and your home, in the mighty name of Jesus. Amen!