Choose a topic from Part 3 Suppl:
1. A person who has contracted marriage validly (and thushas had his marriage ratified) and has also performed themarital act (thus making the ratified marriage aconsummated marriage) is bound to the married state oflife, and cannot, without the free consent of his spouse, leave itto enter religion and take solemn vows in an order.
2. Yet if the marriage is ratified only, and notconsummated, a spouse may leave it and enter religion, takingsolemn vows, whether the other spouse consents or not. For untilmarriage is consummated, only a spiritual bond exists between thespouses; by consummation, a carnal bond is established, and thespouses are thenceforth really two in one flesh, Now, a purelyspiritual bond may be dissolved by the spiritual death which aperson undergoes in dying to the world by taking solemn vows inreligion. But the carnal bond is not dissolved so.
3. When a spouse, after a ratified but not consummatedmarriage, takes solemn vows in religion, the other spouse is freeto marry anew. Yet all this must be subjected to the ecclesiasticalcourt for examination, judgment and official declaration of thefree status of the abandoned spouse. Otherwise, a new marriage isnot lawful.
"Obedience is a short cut to perfection."
St Philip Neri
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"If, devout soul, it is your will to please God and live a life of serenity in this world, unite yourself always and in all things to the divine will. Reflect that all the sins of your past wicked life happened because you wandered from the path of God's will. For the future, embrace God's good pleasure and say to him in every happening: "Yea, Father, for so it hath seemed good in thy sight." "
St Alphonsus de Liguori
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"Men should often renew their good resolutions, and not lose heart because they are tempted against them."
St Philip Neri
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