Twenty-two (22) couples gathered online on July 10, with one powerful goal: to strengthen their marriages through a deeper understanding of faith and the Eucharist. This was session 1 of the Building a Eucharistic Marriage accompaniment initiative which created a transformative space where love and spirituality intertwined with the theme: making time for each other and for God. 

This is being hosted by the Archdiocesan Family Life Commission (AFLC). Raymond and Tricia Syms, AFLC’s Episcopal Delegates, shared that this initiative was building on the momentum and going deeper on the experience of the 33 days of Glory book read last year, 10 days of  Eucharistic glory and the Eucharistic Congress held in May. This is a practical way for couples to deepen their spiritual life in the Mass and Adoration.”

Participants arrived with beautiful expectations. One couple wanted “to spend quality time together and learning and building our marriage,” while another sought “to deepen our communion with each other and Christ.”

Many couples were drawn to the unique spiritual connection as another couple shared, “I wanted to better understand how my marriage links with the Eucharist,” while another couple  noted that “the parallel between Mass and Marriage promises greater meaning and intimacy in both celebrations.”

Another couple expressed their desire for “building a wholesome marriage, learning and gaining the skills to enrich our marriage. Understanding how to have a marriage led by God.”

The program delivered profound results. Participants found immense value in “breaking down and examining the causes and reasons behind our differences” and appreciated “the emphasis of working together as a team, rather than divide and conquer separately.”

One participant shared how meaningful it was “getting a chance to be heard,” while another valued “the time to discuss things with each other and the ability to hear other couples experiences.” The structured approach, including video discussions, helped couples navigate complex topics with guidance and support.

Most powerfully, couples left with concrete commitments. Many pledged to “pray for each other more often” and prioritize “daily check-ins.” Others committed to “making more time for ourselves” and learning to “focus on how our differences can be used to bring us together.”

The program successfully transformed marriages by combining faith, practical tools, and community support—creating lasting change rooted in love and spirituality.

Session 2 and 3 

The Building a Eucharistic Marriage (BEM) online accompaniment Sessions 2 and 3 focusing on Understanding God’s design and Recognizing that which divides continued on July 17 and 31.

It is creating profound moments of healing and growth as couples discover new pathways to marital fulfillment through Christ-centered approaches.

The sessions tackled challenging marital realities head-on. One couple courageously shared their journey through raising four children and navigating communication breakdown, followed by honest confrontation and eventual reconciliation. Their transparency resonated deeply with participants like Shelly-Ann, who noted that “children often suffer when parents are not communicating well.”

Perhaps the most transformative element has been the emphasis on prayer as a couple. Multiple participants committed to “pray for each other more often” and engage in “praying with and for each other.” The concept of the “love triangle” – with God at the apex and spouses at the base, pulling each other toward holiness – provided couples with a powerful framework for their spiritual journey together.

One participant appreciated “the emphasis of working together as a team, rather than divide and conquer separately,” while another valued learning about “making time to know God and one’s spouse” through daily spiritual practices.

Using the seven deadly sins as a framework, couples engaged in honest self-reflection about personal patterns contributing to marital conflict. “Assessment of our own unhealthy patterns that contribute to conflict” emerged as a central theme, with participants recognizing the importance of looking inward before addressing their spouse’s perceived faults.

The power of shared experiences proved crucial. New couples particularly valued hearing from those with more experience. As one newer participant shared: “Being new in our marriage, hearing couples discuss their distractions helps us become aware what we need to be aware of to help us deal with the issues that may arise.”

Beyond spiritual insights, participants gained concrete tools and made specific commitments: “daily check-in done daily,” “reprioritize for more quality time together,” “communicate more with each other,” and “practice the examination of conscience for spouses.”

Central to the program’s approach is understanding marriage as a sacrament that comes with divine grace. Participants explored how seeking God’s help through confession, Mass attendance, and prayer can transform relationships, with facilitators emphasizing that “sacramental marriage comes with divine grace which can help couples navigate challenges if they seek it through prayer.”

For couples seeking to deepen their marital bond through faith, this initiative offers a pathway that acknowledges both challenges and sacred potential, equipping participants with tools, renewed purpose, and supportive community for building marriages that truly honor God.