The Post-Synodal Apostolic Exhortation, Amoris Laetitia: On Love in the Family, begins by proclaiming that “the Joy of Love experienced by families is also the joy of the Church”. And despite the challenges facing the institution of marriage, the desire to marry and form a family together shines as a joyful and hopeful sign of Christ’s love in the world.

At the same time, the synod recognized that a number of stressors impact upon the family unit and the foundational union supporting the family – a couple’s marriage. The impact is not to be underestimated. “A crisis in a couple’s relationship destabilizes the family and may lead, through separation and divorce, to serious consequences for adults, children and society as a whole, weakening it’s individual and social bonds”. (A.L. 41)

Retrouvaille, a Catholic marriage program, is comprised of practical sessions that help married couples to rebuild a loving relationship by improving communication skills and help couples to reconnect with each other.