Marriage is as hard as it is beautiful. And for the vast majority of people, marriage is the way they will answer God's call to a life of holiness. It is with great hope and pride that more married men and women will attain sainthood. And I think it is necessary for some of these married saints in heaven to be canonized, joining the ranks of men and women recognized by the Church for their lives of heroic virtue.
Today I came across the biographies of Jerome and Gwen Coniker, Americans who are from my parents' generation. What stands out about this couple is that they consecrated themselves to Jesus through Mary, and I believe their virtues were intensified through Mary's intercession. Take-away: Marian consecration is a huge source of grace for married couples!
Another married couple whose cause for canonization I am following: Drs. John and Evelyn Billings. Physicians from Australia, they are pioneers in one of the most cutting edge scientific advancements in fertility awareness. The Billings Ovulation Method was named after them.
How do married men and women grow in holiness, practically speaking? One of my former professors, William E. May, writes about marriage as a vocation to holiness, and describes the conditions that foster holiness in marriage: the complementarity of husband and wife, the spouses' mutual respect, and the virtue of fidelity to overcome difficulties and the way doing this together helps them grow in holiness.
These reflections are near and dear to me because it seems very difficult to overcome my weaknesses and I feel discouraged at times. It would be hardly worth the effort (many, many confessions later!), however, if I did not believe wholeheartedly that happiness and holiness are attainable.
