abstinence Archives

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…

Abstinence and the Love Languages

When couples are experiencing periods of abstinence, we often hear a variation of this alarming phrase: “I’m afraid to even touch my wife!” It’s understandable. When every cell in one’s body is bursting with desire for their beloved, it can be hard to find ways to express affection that don’t lead back to the bedroom.…

Sts. Monica and Augustine, Persist with Us

Yesterday was the feast of St. Monica, the mother of persistence, and today we celebrate the feast of her brilliant and influential son, St. Augustine. These feasts are timely, arriving in the midst of religious uncertainty and crisis. This woman — whose persistent prayers converted the hearts of her family and produced one of the…

Surviving a Year Without Sex

Humanae Vitae Giving Day 2018 * * * We are pleased to share this piece from the fabulous blog of Jenny Uebbing, Mama Needs Coffee, hosted on the Catholic News Agency site. This was the first of a series of articles she shared in advance of today’s anniversary. Be sure to check out and follow…

Straight Talk on NFP, Man to Man

From the Family Foundations archives **** So you’re getting ready to get married in the Catholic Church and you’re wondering about natural family planning? You’re probably wondering 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…

Isaac and Kaylene’s Love Story

Real couples really do use NFP, and we asked them to tell us their NFP story. We will be sharing them here on the blog — the good parts and the struggles. Each of these couples is writing their own love story, and have chosen to do so by following God’s plan for marriage. Here…