One of the greatest and best-loved spokesmen for the Catholic Faith here sets out the Church’s beautiful understanding of marriage in his trademark clear and entertaining style. Frankly and charitably, Sheen presents the causes of and solutions to common marital crises, and tells touching real-life stories of people whose lives were transformed through marriage. He emphasizes that our Blessed Lord is at the center of every successful and loving marriage. This is a perfect gift for engaged couples, or for married people as a fruitful occasion for self-examination.

The book is organized and structured into chapters about the nature of love, sex, marriage, husband and father, woman and mother, and children and the family.

Archbishop Sheen's writing style is engaging, and although he present many doctrinal points in each chapter, he does so in a manner that is easy to follow and understand.

This is perhaps the most valuable resource I have as an engaged Catholic, and I will re-read this book after I am married.

33 of 35 found the following review helpful:


Quotable and Exciting  Aug 01, 2001
This book is amazing! It is similar in thought to the "Theology of the Body" and "Love and Responsibility" by Pope John Paul 2, yet more personable and easier to understand. Fulton Sheen is an incredible author! Every sentence in the book is so thought-provoking it should be a famous quote!

The book delves deep (yes, this book IS deep! You could get something new from it every time you read it) into the mystery of love, explaining the fundamental importance of why love HAS to be triune, composed of the lover, the beloved, and LOVE (God Himself) to be successful. It is always comparing this with marriage and nuptial love, and examining this sacrament more thoroughly. Its focus is on the theology of love, so be sure and supplement it with other books dealing more with the practical issues of Christian marriage and sexuality, such as Christopher West's new book, "Good News About Sex and Marriage".

This is a must read! Keep a pencil handy for underlining quotes!

11 of 11 found the following review helpful:


The beauty of marriage explored  Aug 08, 2008 By John Knutsen
First published in 1951, this book is further proof that Archbishop Fulton Sheen, like Pope Paul VI, was a modern-day prophet. I hesitate to call it easy reading, largely because every other sentence is quotable and so packed with meaning that you really need to sit with each thought for a time and let it sink in. Sheen's insights are extraordinary and very timely, perhaps even moreso than in his own day. Although I agree with other reviewers that this book should be required reading for every engaged couple, it would be best if they had a solid priest or some other theologically-trained person to guide them through it.

For me, one passage sums up Sheen's entire argument, which is, of course, also the argument of the Catholic Church: "A man is easy to describe if he has only the material components of a match stick, but it requires more wisdom to define him if he has human freedom and infinite aspirations. If love is mere animal-mating, then any physiologist is its master; if it be a spark from the Divine flame, then one must pray in order to understand its mystery."

I pray that Archbishop Sheen will one day be canonized, so powerful was his influence on America in the 20th century; through reprints of books like this, his influence will continue to grow.

7 of 7 found the following review helpful:


Three to Get Married (Catholic Insight)  Jan 09, 2007 By Foodtester75
This is a great preperation for someone who is engaged or is already married. I would also recomend this for people who help with marrieage preperation in thier churchs. Just a great sold theological book on marriage!

6 of 6 found the following review helpful:


Excellent summary of Catholic teachings  Apr 15, 2008 By Mack Ramer
In this book, Sheen at one point states that the true test of whether one really knows a topic is whether one can explain it clearly and simply. If this is true, then Sheen really knows about Love, and the God Who Is Love.

While on the surface this book is about Christian marriage, it ought to be required reading for all Christians. As Sheen explains, there is no love without God, for God is love; just as one cannot explain Christian marriage without true love, one cannot explain true love without explaining the Triune God.

In short, this book is an excellent summary of Catholic teaching not only on marriage, but on everything essential to the faith.

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