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Bishops’ Conference Launches Por Tu Matrimonio, A Spanish Website On Marriage For Couples
WASHINGTON—The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) launched this week www.PorTuMatrimonio.org, a new Web site in Spanish for couples. The Website, completely in Spanish, is the Hispanic version of the popular www.ForYourMarriage.org, although it is not a translation of it, said Alejandro Aguilera-Titus director for Hispanic Affairs of the Secretariat of Cultural Diversity in the Church and coordinator of the project. The initiative responds to the bishops’ current priorities on marriage and cultural diversity with special emphasis on Hispanics.
“PorTuMatrimonio.org is a space to inspire, help and urge Spanish-speaking couples to live more fully their marriage relationship,” Aguilera-Titus said. “The idea is to help them be happy couples, committed to their vocation.”
Advice, stories, testimonials and other resources to liven up the daily life of couples are found on the site along with valuable information about common challenges for couples and how to overcome them in healthy and respectful ways.
The site also contains information for couples preparing for marriage with reflections on topics such as:
- How do we know if we are ready to make this important decision?
- How can I be sure this is the ideal person for me?
- How can we nourish our married life in mind, body and spirit?
PorTuMatrimonio.org invites couples to discover the great richness of Catholic Marriage and to strengthen spousal love within the community of faith.
Theologian Dora Tobar, renowned Latina speaker and member of the national support team for this project, commented on its significance and outreach.
“Nothing brings more suffering to a person than hurt and difficulties in their affective life. In creating a space where Hispanics can find light, answers and good advice to create and sustain stable and happy marriages, the U.S. Bishops are not only addressing the heart of a big problem but touching the hearts of millions of people,” Tobar said. “ Additionally, the fact that this service is offered through the Internet is like giving all Spanish-speaking people a chance, 24 hours a day, to consult free of charge with professionals who can offer right and concrete information, in their language to their questions about love and married life,” she added.
The national support team of Por Tu Matrimonio includes experts in marriage and family life ministries with Latinos from throughout the country. Among them are: Valentin Araya, associate director of Oficina de Ministerio Para La Familia, Archdiocese of Chicago; Sister Patricia Brown, Sisters of Saint Mary of Namur, director of Family Life Services at the Diocese of Savannah, Georgia; Gelasia Marquez, PhD., Hispanic Family Life Consultant of St. Petersburg, Florida; Edgar and Cinthya Montalvo of Movimiento Familiar Cristiano, who live in Las Vegas; Alicia Perez Nuno of Family Life Ministry in Houston; Jake Samour, director of the Office of Marriage and Family Life at the Archdiocese of San Antonio; Father Heliodoro Lucatero, director of Divine Worship also at the San Antonio Archdiocese; Carmen Fernandez of Instituto Cultural del Medio-oeste (ICLM) at the University of Notre Dame; and Lucia and Ricardo Luzondo of Ministerio de Renovación Familiar in Miami.
The Catholic Communication Campaign provided the funds for this initiative.
“Strong, healthy families are the result of strong and healthy marriages,” Aguilera-Titus said. “We invite married couples as well as those preparing to receive the Sacrament of Marriage to discover with us all they can do for their marriage”.
For more information visit www.portumatrimonio.org
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Keywords: marriage, couples, sacraments, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, Hispanic Catholics