Jerome N.

Galiza
1AD-1

Marriage is formal union and social and legal contract between two people that unites their lives
legally, economically, and emotionally. The contractual marriage agreement usually implies that the
couple has legal obligations to each other throughout their lives or until they decide to divorce. Being
married also gives legitimacy to sexual relations within the marriage. Traditionally, marriage is often
viewed as having a key role in the preservation of morals and civilization.

St. Thomas Aquainas taught much more about the nature of marriage than just the idea that the
primary end of marriage was procreation and the secondary end was mutual aid. Through human
nature, he saw marriage as always related to our personal perfection, the common good of society and
the worship of God as a sacrament. He mentioned in reference to marriage to create virtue for the
people, to teach children how to love without sexualizing their relationships, and to continue in a life of
fidelity during old age. Marriage between a man and a woman is the best place to raise and educate
children providing them in a school of virtue helping them to become good citizens for society.

When it comes to St. Augustine, marriage should always be based in love. He begins with the
dignity of every human being which he believes as an evident from an examination of experience. He
deduces that the call to love is placed in us from creation. Couples must be open to the possibility of
parenthood, they must be faithful to each other, and the marriage must be monogamous.

References:

file:///C:/Users/jerom/Downloads/St.%20Augustine%20on%20Marriage%20and%20%20-%20Augustine,%20St.%20&%20Clark,%20Elizab_6291.pdf

https://www.thespruce.com/definition-of-marriage-2303011