“Is contraception really that big of a deal? As if using contraception wisely and occasionally in marriage could affect my relationship with God. And even if it really did, how is natural family planning any different from contraception?”
- What is NFP?
- Mirroring the Trinity in Marriage
- The Role of Marriage
- “Sterilizing” the Sacrament
- Additional Resources
What is NFP?
Perhaps you’ve heard the acronym thrown around but never knew what it meant.
Natural Family Planning (NFP), by definition, is a method used to plan or prevent pregnancy. It is based on observing natural signs and symptoms of fertility in a woman’s cycle. Unlike contraceptives, which involve the use of artificial methods to prevent pregnancy, NFP works with the natural fertility cycle and, above all, respects the natural process of conception.
NFP is commonly used among Catholic married couples because it aligns with the Church’s teachings on the sanctity of marriage, the openness to life, and the natural order of human sexuality. This method allows couples to plan their families while still being open to life, as it involves periodic abstinence during the fertile period rather than the use of artificial means to prevent conception.
Mirroring the Trinity in Marriage
Jesus reveals something more about who God is. According to the Catechism of the Catholic Church, Jesus reveals the innermost secret of God. It is this: “God himself is an eternal exchange of love . . . and he has destined us to share in that exchange” (CCC 221).
While this affects literally everything in life, one of the consequences is directly related to human sexuality and conception.
God is a “communion of Persons” (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit). The Father continually pours Himself out to the Son, the Son to the Father, and the love between them is so real that “It” is a “Who”: another Person, the Holy Spirit. We are made in the image and likeness of the Trinity. This means that we are made to be in relationship with one another. And these relationships are meant to be in the image and likeness of God.
The Role of Marriage
While all relationships can reflect God, none is as striking as the relationship between husband and wife, which serves as the clearest earthly image of the Trinity. The love shared between spouses mirrors the divine love within the Trinity and has the potential to create new life.
Marriage is a profound responsibility, as couples are called to be an image of God to the world.
“Sterilizing” the Sacrament of Marriage
Marriage, as a sacrament, reflects God’s love. Just as a priest must never intentionally hinder the sacraments—like refusing to consecrate the Eucharist or absolve sins—a married couple should never block the life-giving potential of their union.
Contraception “sterilizes” the act of love, while Natural Family Planning (NFP) cooperates with the body’s natural rhythms. NFP respects the sanctity of life, making it fundamentally different from contraception, which works against it.
Some may argue that the end result of NFP and contraception is the same—no conception. However, just as there’s a significant difference between allowing a natural death and causing one through euthanasia, there’s a difference between working with the body’s natural cycles and actively preventing life.
NFP allows couples to responsibly align with God’s plan, though they must avoid a “contraceptive mentality.” As Christians, we are called to embrace sacrifice, not the comfort-driven mindset of the modern world. Following Christ means denying ourselves and carrying our cross, trusting in God’s help even when we struggle.
Additional Resources
To find an NFP instructor and access other resources to learn how to implement NFP, head to the USCCB.
For more learning on NFP, check out Dr. Monique Ruberu’s talk from SEEK24 on “Why NFP Rocks and Contraceptives Don’t.“
To access deeper education on the role of the family in the sacrament of marriage and God’s desires for the family and marriage, you can read FOCUS’ Sr. Vice President of Apostolic Outreach, Dr. Edward Sri’s book, “Men, Women, and the Mystery of Love: Practical Insights from John Paul II’s Love and Responsibility.”
For even more great Catholic resources, check out our podcast, which features talks from our SEEK conference, and our YouTube channel for videos and more!
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