ENCYCLICAL OF POPE PAUL VI
ON THE REGULATION OF BIRTH
JULY 25, 1968
JULY 25, 1968
God's Loving Design
8. Married love particularly reveals its true nature and nobility when we realize that it takes its origin from God, who "is love," the Father "from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named."
Marriage, then, is far from being the effect of chance or the result of the blind evolution of natural forces. It is in reality the wise and provident institution of God the Creator, whose purpose was to effect in man His loving design. As a consequence, husband and wife, through that mutual gift of themselves, which is specific and exclusive to them alone, develop that union of two persons in which they perfect one another, cooperating with God in the generation and rearing of new lives.
The marriage of those who have been baptized is, in addition, invested with the dignity of a sacramental sign of grace, for it represents the union of Christ and His Church.
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This is the highest view of marriage in any faith, religion, or belief. Just as the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist is the highest view of the LORD's Supper, the Catholic Church has never waivered in its high teaching of the sanctity of marriage. This of course is where one must start to understand the high meaning of the transmission of life within marriage. If one reduces the meaning of marriage or the meaning of life it is doubtful he will reach the same conclusions about the transmission of life or procreation.
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