abstinence Archives - Natural Family Planning | Fertility Awareness

Healthy Fasting Tips for Lent

NFPers are no strangers to the idea of abstinence, healthy fasting and self-control. Lent is a beautiful liturgical season. The entire Church joins together in self-denial in a focused way. We, seasoned NFP veterans, can be something of an example for those to whom such practices are less familiar. Just as NFP worth doing is…

Misunderstood in the Modern World

Freedom is such a misunderstood word in the modern world, almost as misunderstood as NFP. Fortunately a clearer understanding of one can lead to a better understanding of the other. Many people seem to think that freedom means merely the license to do something independent of any constraint. The freedom to stay up until 2am…

A Candid Take on NFP, Man to Man

So you’re thinking about natural family planning? You’re probably asking if it’s really good for your marriage and why the Church cares about your method of family planning. You might be wondering what life is really like for couples who use NFP. I know. I’ve been there. Here are some things I wish I had…

Abstaining from Frustration

NFP couples talk a lot about the blessings abstinence brings. Some talk about SPICE (using the times of abstaining to pursue Spiritual, (non-sexual) Physical, Intellectual, Creative, and Emotional intimacy) and there is something to this. Couples who know how to manage Phase II abstinence well are masters of SPICE. They enjoy many benefits to the…

What’s An NFP Guy To Do?

By Jim Volpe Pain Points In the software industry, we have a saying, “Run towards the pain.” In Business, after identifying a pain point, we exercise that process more until we find out what is wrong. Then we fix it. This is a great strategy with computers, but things are a bit different with humans.…

Eucharistic Abstinence and NFP

Guest post by Theology of the Body enthusiast Katrina J. Zeno, MTS This also appears in the May/June 2020 issue of Family Foundations. A funny thing happened on the way to Easter this year – Lent became even more penitential. Without our consent, public Catholic masses were suspended in many dioceses in the U.S. and…

Helpful Tips for Healthy Fasting

NFPers are no strangers to the idea of abstinence, fasting and self-control. Lent is a beautiful liturgical season in which the entire Church joins together in self-denial in a focused way, and we seasoned veterans can be something of an example for those to whom such practices are less familiar. And just as NFP worth…

Abstinence and Words of Affirmation

This article is part of a series called Abstinence and the love languages. Some people disregard compliments as flattery, but people who are fluent in Words of Affirmation take kind words to heart. In fact, actually hearing or reading affirmative statements from their spouse provides them the proof and reassurance that they can feel safe…

Abstinence and Gift Giving

This article is part of a series called Abstinence and the love languages. Fluency in Gift Giving doesn’t have to be expensive. After all, for the person who communicates and receives love through gift, it’s not about the item as much as the sentiment behind it. There’s nothing wrong with a little splurge every once…

Abstinence and Acts of Service

This article is part of a series called Abstinence and the love languages. Acts of service are great when they’re a regular part of household maintenance, but they’re even better when they go above and beyond normal expectations. Let your spouse know how much they mean to you by putting yourself at the service of…