Twenty thousand marriages renewed their wedding vows in a virtual marriage renewal organized by Familia Unida Internacional, reports the Communication Office of Regnum Christi Mexico.
With topics on forgiveness, communication, and the economy, four priests of the Legion of Christ, specialists in family pastoral care, guided participants from over 15 countries.
The quarantine experienced worldwide has been a challenge for couple and family relationships; the intense cohabitation and the pandemic itself have led to an increase in domestic violence.
Based on official figures reported by the Executive Secretariat of the National Public Security System (SESNSP), in March calls to 911 regarding domestic violence increased by 23% compared to February, and the trend continues to rise.
Familia Unida
As a response to this crisis, Familia Unida, a non-profit organization that offers family counseling and certifications, organized a series of four presentations. The goal is “to help a marriage renewal that positively impacts the harmony of families and society,” clarify the organizers.
The first speaker was P. Adolfo Güémez, LC, who addressed the four pillars that support marriage. He explained that the connection that occurs when a couple meets and falls in love gradually wears down, so it is necessary to learn how to reconnect.
P. Guillermo Serra, LC reflected on forgiveness, stating that it is one of the most difficult words to pronounce, that one must learn an entire language of forgiveness, and develop the ability to express what we feel.
For P. Ángel Espinoza de los Monteros, LC, loving is the most intense way of living, he affirmed in his presentation, highlighting that romantic love is a virtuous trigger that is transmitted to children and then to society as a whole.
Finally, P. Evaristo Sada, LC reflected on how it is possible to transform experiences of scarcity in marriage into experiences of abundance. He said that distrust is an opportunity to generate a new relationship of trust, moving from constant demands to a situation of understanding and respect that naturally leads couples to an environment of recognition and gratitude.
During the conferences, online counseling sessions were provided to help couples reconnect in love and from love. This renewal can be accessed on the YouTube page of P. Adolfo Güémez LC.