Exposition Man is made in the image and likeness of God. He has the capacity to love and to think.

Than God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. ( Genesis 1:26 )

Each person has intrinsic value and dignity and is worthy of love and respect. Mans dignity is mans most precious possession.

As person created by God, redeemed by the blood of Christ and sanctified by the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, persons are called to be children of God destined for eternal life.

The proof that you are sons is the fact that God has sent forth into our hearts, the Spirit of His son which cries out Abba,Father. (cf NCDP
218)

Christ

reveals how the essential dignity of all persons is grounded directly on their origin, meaning and destiny. (CFC
685)

Personhood consist of the following levels:

1. The Peripherals level of having/doing a. consist of human endowments (gifts) such as abilities/capabilities, possessions, e.g. intelligence, skills, power, wealth, health, beauty, emotions, sex, values.

b. the level of having and doing e.g. have possessions; I have money; I have power; I have influence; I can do many things; I can sing; I can speak well.

c. the definable can be described/named/de fined e.g. singer, athlete, student, politician, etc.

d. the exhaustible can be consumed e.g. gets hungry, sleepy, tired, impatient, etc.

2. The Core the level where we truly image/mirror our Creator, the Lord God of Love, of Peace, of Freedom, of Justice, our dignity as persons is based on this truth.

a. the center of consciousness; the level of Being; the God of level; consist of love, freedom, peace, justice, etc. b. the indefinable cannot be boxed, labeled, defined

c. there is more in the person besides the labels given him/her d. the inexhaustiblecannot be consumed e.g. can suffer endlessly, can face hardships without giving up; can

can endure without breaking even unto the end (one that makes martyrs and saints because the very source of strength and power is God Himself.

A real person, being an image of God has the following essential: 1. He is able to relate, to love, to commit himself, to be faithful (ability to relate)

2.

He is free to choose and these choices are based on a proper hierarchy of values. (freedom) 3. He is guided/directed by inner convictions/principles. (inner-directedness)

4. He has his own rhythm and pace. His growth as a person follows a process and if it is to be a healthy growth, it should not be hurried.

5. He is unique, has an identity of his own which particular qualities , abilities and potentials. ( uniqueness ) 6. He is dynamic continually growing; growth is not limited to the physical but includes other aspects of his person. ( dynamism )

A real person is likewise aware/conscious of the following realities about himself: 1. He is subject to temptations/sinfulness; he is affected by negative forces around Him: effects of original sin ( reality of original sin )

2. The experience of situations, events, peoples, the way/process of his upbringing: in short all that has been part of his life after his behavior. (environmental conditioning: process of growing/becoming)

3. He is limited/finite creature and therefore can fall into sin, makes mistakes and/or experience failure. (creatureliness)

4. He continues to hope and believe that the negative and the unpleasant events in his life e.g. pain, suffering, sickness, etc. do not last and are part of Gods plan.
(Fact and Resurrection) Power of the

Human persons created in the image and likeness of God have essential dignity and value. Moral Human person should protect and respect human life and dignity in the service of love as reflected in the life of Christ.
Doctrine

Worship Human persons should acknowledge their sins/failures and praise and thank the lord for His unique love for them and for all human life through prayer and the sacraments.

Exposition

Created in Gods image, we are commanded to conquer the earth with all it contains, and to rule the world in justice and holiness: we are to acknowledge God as Creator of all things and relate ourselves and the totality of creation to Him,

so that through our dominion over all things, the name of God would be majestic in all the earth.
(GAUDIUM et Spes 34)

 According

to Pope John Paul ll, when St. Francis contemplates nature, He discovers that everything speaks to him of God, and his eyes are filled with joy. He exclaims in the Canticle of Brother Sun: everythingfrom you Most High, bears significance (FF 263).

When we look at creation, we see the great love, power and wisdom of God. This great love of God for us should be reciprocated by us. He made us little less than a God and has made us stewards of His creation.

We have the responsibilities of caring first of all for human life protecting the gifts of the earth which includes water, air, minerals, trees, land and animals.

Conservation of the earths natural resources includes keeping the environment clean and pollution free. What better way to praise and thank the Lord for His wonderful gift of creation is there than taking care of human life and all creation.

Doctrine Man stewardship over the earth is a Godgiven responsibility. Morals Man should protect and respect Gods creation.

Worship Man praises God for His creation through prayer and the sacraments.

Exposition Each day of mans life, God continues to create and sustain each person in His image and likeness. If we are made in the image of God, we must reflect Gods love.

Since we are created out of love, we are called to love. How can we be blind and deaf and unfeeling of others who suffer and die before of poverty while we wallow in riches? Each man has basic human

rights to wage and property, the right to education the right to vote and have equality before the law , right to worship and to free association among others.

These rights have become the exclusive rights of the rich and powerful and have thus produce sinful social structures. These sinful social structures have resulted in the

proliferation of crimes, malnourished street children, graft and corruption, widespread violence and killing.

Where is the dignity and intrinsic value of these brothers and sisters whose human rights has been violated? Where is the human solidarity that we have as children of God?

Jesus Himself has shown us that to love God is to love our neighbor. He has commanded us to love one another as He has love us.

We cannot say that we love God if we neglect our hungry, thirsty, naked, alone, and imprisoned neighbor.

We cannot say we love God if we love only those who love us and cannot love our enemies. Loving our neighbors as God love us is the only way to enjoy eternal life for which we have been created. (Luke 10:25-28)

Doctrine As human persons created in the image and likeness of God who loved us first, we have essential dignity and social responsibilities.

Moral Man proves and proclaim his love of God through love of neighbor regardless of gender, color, social status, or creed.

Worship Pray to the Holy Spirit for help in acknowledging ones sinfulness through the sacrament of reconciliation and nurture and strengthen ones loving relationship with God and others through prayer and the sacraments.

Exposition Human sexuality is a gift of God which allows us to relate to others. Through the intellectual, physical, and intellectual human need to

touch, reach out and embrace, God has intelligently made a way for us to be in communion with others.

Sexuality is the fundamental

part of our being, gives us the capacity to love and is necessary for our becoming fully human. Sexuality allows for the expression of true love which is grounded in the recognition of the rights,

dignity and intrinsic value of every human being. Thus sexuality is not all about the sexual act but about relationships.

Sex is often equated with sexual act or sexual intercourse. It is rarely associated with God but with adultery, pornography, prostitution, perversion, or dirty jokes. To many, sex is for fun, for showing off, or for physical release.

SEX is the second greatest instinct of man (his first instinct is self preservation) Relates to the psychological aspect; denotes male and female

 Concerns

the physical use, in thought or deed, of the power called sexuality. one aspect of sexuality

only

mature person has to have a mature grasp of all other aspects/areas of his sexuality before becoming involved in physical relationship involving sex. Is only part of and relates to the physical aspect of sexuality.

SEXUALITY refers to the total masculinity or total femininity of an individual. Consist of the way a person behaves, think and feels.

Involves

more than the body: consist of the physical, mental, psychological, emotional and spiritual aspects that make one male or female.

 The

quality of being a male and being a female pervading the whole totality of a person aspect of personhood which makes one capable of entering into loving relationships with others; Sexuality extends beyond the functional or genital

An

One

of Gods greatest gifts to man and woman. Involves more aspect of the human person

Differences in Impressions/Expressions of Man and Woman With Regards To the Sexual Act Man is compared to a horse, while a woman is compared to a crocodile: man reaches the finish line first than the woman.

Man

is mainly concerned with releasing desires, while woman tends to mix emotions and desire.

 Man

is like a switch": he responds immediately when switched on and off; woman is like an iron: takes time to heat after it is plugged and takes time to cool when unplugged.

For companionship 2. For complementarity 3. For relationship: man and woman as stewards of all creation.
1.

From the Genesis account of creation we find that in His great love for us, God created man and woman in His image and likeness. Being thus created, we should be grateful for and accept Gods design for us to be either male or female.

love where there is mutual self giving in the love relationship. Thus sex is only one aspect of sexuality, the source of persons totality which make him man or woman. Sex is an expression of love and commitment in conjugal married

The union in a marriage relationship brings about a plan of God for a marriage: the principle begetting of life procreation and education of children.

The Lord God said, It is not

good for man to be alone. I will make a suitable partner for him. (Gn. 2:18). God created

both male and female so that they can complete and complement each other. (Gn. 1:27) He also commanded them to be fertile and multiply.

As God delighted in His creation, He found it very good (Gn.1:31), we too should look as sex as something good that is to be used appropriately and in the right time.

MALE

FEMALE

PHYSICAL QUALITIES Muscles and Muscles and bones are larger bones are smaller and more and less pronounced pronounced

Has more hair; grow beard and moustache Skin is less sensitive; less delicate; generally courser Shorter life span

Has less hair

Skin is more delicate, sensitive and fairer Lives longer

SEXUAL QUALITIES
Sexual repertory is limited; they have only one act; erection which may or may not be followed by ejaculation.

Capable of conception; child bearing organ and breastfeeding which make them sexually superior over them.

SOCIAL QUALITIES
More independent Interested in things, object Tend to be dependent Interest in people

Has strong sex Not drive; easily aroused aroused.

easily

Often confuse love with sex and their understanding of love is very little; desire for sex dominates desire to love.

Sex drive is more integrated; love comes first and having sex is a building up of the love between the couple.

QUALITIES OF MIND, HEART AND SPIRIT

Tend to be more logical; arguing things out of step by step before reaching a conclusion Tend to be more intuitive depending often on the six sense; often notice little things that can be overlooked.

Tend to Easily get be less upset and emotional; shows it dont more easily cry easily

Often insensitive and may hurt others without realizing it More egoistic; want success, money, power to be looked up to.

More sympathetic and caring

Want affection want to be told often that they are beautiful and that they are loved.

Tend to be Want loners; company; often like to talk. prefer to keep things to themselves

Tend to have a poorer sense of warmth and sensitivity.

Usually turns into a home adding warmth by her efforts

Tend to control imagination and allow mind to rule More realistic

Tend to be let colorful imaginations rule

More Idealistic

Are clear and Tend to beat direct to the around the bush. point in expressing themselves. Feel the desire Feel the desire for the strength of selfand personal surrender. courage.

More secure Tend to feel and sure of insecure themselves; and need are proud of constant conceited. reassurance ; are rather suspicious

Not likely to show his feelings; has difficulty expressing his love in words and action ; less attentive to things which a woman attaches great importance to.

Wants to know that she is needed and loved ; getting attention means much to her; not vocal about her feelings and rather reserved in expressing her affections to the man she loves .

Are less religious than the woman; tale religion less seriously.

Said to be more religious but more on the emotional level.

Has less patience; though physically strong, endurance is less.

Has more patience ; can endure and persevere longer

More of a homebody; inclined to homemaking and childrearing.

Men lust and compete; chase power and glory.

IN TERMS OF ROLES AND FUNCTIONS

Basic disposition: To be a leader as a form of service Basic disposition:

To remain as a woman; as a companion/par tner.

PERSONAL TRAITS/ATTITUDES/FUNCTIONS Planning what goal to pursue a. concern for the future/foresight b. habitual calmness Implementing /using what the men bring home a. concern for the present needs of the family b. affective tone complementing the calmness of the man

Deciding: actual Advising: intuitive choice from various attitudes alternatives a. participative a. openness to b. fidelity advice b. flexibility

Assuming responsibilities has to be ready to lose many battles on his way to victory

Involvementparticipating in the assumption of responsibility.

Protecting- a leader must bring about change in the family. a. understanding b. self-sacrifice Supporting- not only material but also emotional and psychological a. productivity in all aspect b. self-giving

Assisting- development of interest a. appreciation b. sharing

Motivating- moving people toward something valuable and appealing a. motherhood b. feminine attractiveness

Human Sexuality is a Basic element of marriage with its Two Aspects of Union and Procreation Marriage in Gods plan is the union of a man and a woman who freely and continuously gives and commits themselves to each other until death. This union brings about the other plan of God for marriage: the principle begetting of life-procreation and education of children.

Again, this union includes not only the physical aspect but includes the innermost being of each spouse, man as Man and woman as woman. Pope John Paul II affirmed the teaching of the church on the inseparable connection between the unitive and procreative

meaning of the conjugal act of man and woman in marriage. When the couple respects this inseparable connection, they are acting as ministers of Gods plan and they benefit from the sexuality. (FC 11, 12,32)

The lack and incompleteness of man and or a woman finds complementarily in their relationship with each other. This is seen in the 4 levels of sexuality 1. Religious level (Faith) 2. Spiritual level (mind and will) 3. Psychological level (Affective) 4. Physical level (erotic)

The intertwining and integration of these four (4) level constitute the totality of human sexuality, the fullness of mans humanity, man or woman fully sexual.

Men and women experience changes in their bodies from conception to maturity. Christian growing up into maturity entails ( CFC # 1097)

 Freedom from natural self-centeredness to realize the intrinsic need for others. Respect and nourishment of positive relations with others.

 Discernment between true authentic love & its many counterfeit imitations so as to be able to say no "when needed.

All Christians are called to a life of chastity, the wholesome integration of ones sexuality within ones person. (CFC # 1093)

Chastity is not a rejection of ones sexuality but it is the spiritual energy which is able to protect love and to thwart all dangers to its fulfillment.

Thus, the virtue of chastity is expected to be practiced by those who have freely chosen consecrated celibacy for the sake of the kingdom of God; the Christian youth before marriage or celibacy and single blessedness chosen by the lay faithful.

Integration

Doctrine- All human beings are created in the image and likeness of God and should appreciate their God-given sexuality.

Moral- We should practice the virtues of chastity, purity of heart, modesty and self control.

Worship- We should pray to Mother Mary for the virtue of purity, fidelity and modesty and to frequently receive the Risen Christ in the sacrament of the Eucharist.

Exposition Everything that happens in ones life , every person, place and event that causes joy or pain, positive or negative experiences in the past, even from the time one is still in

even the time one is still in his/her mothers womb- has significant effects and contributes to the kind of person one becomes. Basically, every human person desires all positive experiences in his/her life.

One most basic experience which determines the kind of person he becomes is the experiences of being love.

Love is the determining factor that affects the kind of person one is, the kind of person that one person become. This will be revealed to us as we go

through the different stages of mans psychological, social, and sexual development in this session.

Reflecting on the infancy narrative of Jesus Christ growing up not only physically but spiritually and morally as well. He was an ideal, obedient

child who was brought up in the love and care of Joseph and Mary , the ideal parents. The child

grew and became strong, filled with wisdom: and the favor of God is upon him. ( Luke 2:41)

As a child grows physically he also undergoes psychological, social and sexual development. Believable and perceptive descriptions of how personality develops were made in 1956 by a psychiatrist, Erik Erikson.

 Psychological Development seeks to understand and regulate activities of the mind particularly the stages of human consciousness and motivation.

Social Development underscores attitudes/behavior of a person in his/her relationship and interaction with other persons.

 Sexual Development is the

emergence or ripening of sex impulses and the arousal of sexual feelings and desire and their implications in the chain of difficulties.

STAGES

CHARACTERISTICS

Infancy Issue: Basic Trust Versus Basic Mistrust Age: 0-18 months Stage: Oral stage Virtue: Faith

Helpless state, dependence on the others; cant walk or talk. Process of bonding with maternal person

 Person taking care must be affectionate, warm and gentle. Safe and happy world when requirements are met, baby develops the virtue of faith

EARLY CHILDHOOD

Can walk and talk First experience and independence Toilet training begins Contact with other persons

Issue: Autonomy Versus shame Age: 18 months 4 years Stage: Anal Virtue: Hope

Assertion of self
Commands others

Freedom to do what he is capable to do; Conflict; Remaining independent or assist oneself to do; When crisis is resolved, child develops will power

PLAY STAGE Issue: Initiative Versus Guilt Age: 4-6 years old Stage: Sexual Identification Virtue: Sense of purpose

Biological maturation is genital Child is close to parents Expanded social contact Basic family; ease of locomotion and increase in language activity

Curious about sex difference Play age Able to fantasize and dream Plans and tries to attain specific goals Sense of conscience develops

Guilt develops when he/she feels unwanted. When requirement are met, the child develops a sense of purpose

SCHOOL AGE Issue: Industry Versus Inferiority Age: 6-12 years Stage: Biological Maturation Virtue: Competence

Learn to accomplish work

Stage is critical in terms of attitudinal development

Concerned with doing, succeeding & inadequacy develop

If requirements are met, child develops competence

ADOLESCENCE Issue: Identity Versus Confusion Age: 12-18 yrs. Stage: Genital Stage Virtue: Fidelity

Period of confusion (no longer a child but not yet an adult Seeks for model and leaders Awakening of attraction to opposite sex

Trust in ones body is disturbed because of the sudden growth spurt. Seeks individuality & independence

Explore vocation in life

When requirements are met, virtue of fidelity develops

YOUNG ADULTHOOD Issue: Intimacy Versus Isolation Age:18-35 yrs. (young adulthood Virtue: Love World of work/profession/coop eration/competition Identity develops

Sexual relationship is established: builds a loving & lasting intimacysexual & psychological relationship

Enter into a specific vocation/marries/or remains single

Observe ethical and moral standard Participates in socials

When these are not met, isolation develops

When met, a person develops a virtue of love

MIDDLE ADULTHOOD Issue: Generatively Versus Stagnation (SelfAbsorption) Age: 35-65 years Virtue: Care

Desire to create something of lasting and worthwhile value for future generation.
Need to guide & nurture next generation

 Takes stock , assesses & enjoy fulfillment of ones life Acknowledge & accepts even life failure Stagnation results when person turn inward/selfabsorbed, is bored, etc.

When requirements are met, the person exhibits the virtue of care. LATE ADULTHOOD Issue: Integrity Versus Despair Age: 65 yrs. & older Virtue: Wholeness (Holiness)

Integrity is achieved when all the requirements from the previous stages are met Trusts, is independent & accepts the new Accepts the past with its successes & failures

Reflects and enjoys the past, no matter what has been When acceptance of the past is difficult, despair is likely to develop When most of the virtues were developed, the person gains wisdom.

Every human person stands strong according to the strength of his foundation. This foundation in his family.

How the parents carry on their lives is very vital to their children. As living examples, parents transmit good or bad things or none at all.

A family rooted in the true love of husband and wife and of God who called them to be His co-creator of life, can never fail.

Thus parents can only be considered successful when they are able to image Gods love to their children and have raised children who have become loving parents.

LOVE is the very core of every persons being and should be felt and experienced by him.

It should be nurtured and nourished in him from the moment of his conception and during his lifetime, if he is to become a fully alive, integrated human being.

A loving relationship between and among the family members initiated by husband and wife (father and mother) and the children is the critical factor in the growth of every person.

His healthy transition and development from one stage of growth to another, specially in the early years of his life,

is largely dependent on the climate and the quality of relationship of the personsusually the father and motherwho took care of, had great influence on, and who surrounded him..

In short, only on a love ground can a person really grow in the grace of integration and total well being , the way Jesus did.

As St. Luke tells us in the Sacred Scriptures, Jesus, for His part progressed steadily in wisdom and age and grace before God and men. (Luke 2:52) Furthermore, the quality of relationship with others. Love begets love and vice versa.

Human frailties and imperfections will always be present in life. But the Lord gives the assurance that man is not alone.

But now says the Lord , who Created you Jacob, and Formed you O Israel:

Fear not for I have redeemed you, I have called you by name: You are mine: When you pass through the water, I will be with you; In the rivers you shall not drown, When you walk through fire, you shall not be burned; in the flames shall not consume you.

For I am the Lord your God, the Holy one of Israel your Savior. I give Egypt as your ransom, Ethiopia and Seba in return for you. Because you are precious in my eyes and glorious, and because I love you.

I give men in return for you and peoples and exchange for your life. Fear not, for I am with you (Isaiah 43:1-5)

Man can never be without God. All of his know-how, discoveries, achievement sin the sciences, in psychology even in spirituality, are nothing if there is no love. If he has to be a real image of God, then he has to be born of, nurtured and sustained by LOVE. As St.

Paul says to the Corinthians, If I do not have love, I am a noisy gong, a clanging cymbal
INTEGRATION DOCTRINE: Men experience and perceive Gods love in their daily lives through the love given by their respective remedies.

Moral: Man responds to Gods love by loving others beginning with their own families.
WORSHIP: Thank God for loving us first & continuing to do so; Ask the Holy Spirit for the grace of love, forgiveness and

acceptance of people who may need their understanding. Increase their capacity to love through a sacramental life specially through the sacrament of the Eucharistic, the Sacrament of Communion.

CHRISTIAN MARRIAGE

The first task of the family composed of husband and wife, of parents and children, is to be faithfully in accord, in common unity or communion with one another.

This communion which is the foundation of marriage and the family can only be made possible if there is love. Without love, the

family is not a community of persons and in the same

way, without love the family cannot live, grow, and perfect itself as a community of persons. (FC
# 18)

Man cannot live without love. He remains a being that is incomprehensible for himself, his life is senseless if love is not revealed to him, if he does not experience it

and make it his own, if he does not participate intimately in it. (Redemptor Hominis) People marry because of the innate desire to share life and love with a beloved.

The desire to procreate and build a family is another reason for people why marry. Others tie the knot so to speak for reasons of security especially in their old age.

Whatever the reason for getting married, couples generally experienced love in various degrees which bring them to the desire to be one body and one flesh forever.

DOCTRINE: The joy of the living in a Christian family is made possible by love.

Moral: Love one another as God has loved you.

Worship: The sacraments and family prayer strengthen love in marriage and in the family.

Whatever the reason for getting married, couples generally experienced love in various degrees which bring them to the desire to be one body and one flesh forever.

The origin and final end of every Christian vocation is. The initiative of calling comes from Him. He call those whom He wants. Every vocation

or call, whether it is to the priesthood, religious life, or marriage needs a response. Marriage is a call for a man, and a woman to keep holy/sacred and to foster

the dignity of the married state and its superlative value. (GS 47) Rarely does it come to the mind of couples that marriage is a call to

holiness.

Marriage is a vocation because it is a call to share in Gods own life of Love, as revealed to us in Jesus Christ and made present to us through the Eucharist and the Church.

Marriage should be a way to holiness. The love, respect, fidelity, care, and mutual self-giving that husband and wife have for each other from the day that they get married and for the rest

of their lives. Their marriage is not just the marriage of two Christians but the marriage of Christ to his Church.

St. Paul, in his letter to the Ephesians 5:21-33 beautifully describes Christian marriage.

Be subject to one another out of reverence for Christ. Wife, be subject to your husband as to the Lord. For the Husband is the head

Is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the Church, his body, and is himself is Savior. As the church is subject to Christ, so let wives

also be subject in everything to their husbands. Husbands, love your wives, as Christ love the Church and gave himself up for her,

that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by having by her by the washing of water with the word, that he might present the

Church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish.

Even so husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. He who love his wife love himself. For no man ever hates his own flesh

But nourishes and cherishes it, as Christ does the Church, because we are members of His body. For this reason

A man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall be one. This is a great mystery, and I take it to mean Christ

and the Church; however, let each one of you love his wife as himself and let the wife see that she respects the husband.

In answering the call to holiness, a couple also seeks to keep the holiness throughout their married life. St Pauls admonition to love

Can help a couple weather the storm and help bring each other to the path of holiness, for better or for worst, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in death, till death.

DOCTRINE: Christian marriage is a call to mutual self-giving by a man and a woman as they share Gods own life of love.

MORAL: Married couples & parents should support each other in grace through faithful love & bring up their children in the Christian doctrine & virtues

WORSHIP: Married couples and parents receive the sacraments worthily and nurture their lives with Gods Word in order to responds to Gods call to holiness through the sacrament of marriage

CHRISTIAN MARRIAGE
AS

COVENANT LOVE

The Sacred Scriptures reveal that marriage is a symbol of Gods covenant with His chosen people.

In both the Old and New Testament, marriage mirrors Gods everlasting love for His people.

It reveals the union of Christ with His Church.

The Church is Christs bride to whom He gave is irrevocable yes to love forever. ( I do)

The Third Preface of the Wedding Mass proclaims:

Father, you created man in love to share your diving life.

Wee see his high destiny in love of husband and wife Which bears the imprint of your own divine love.

Love is mans origin; love in his constant calling. Love in his fulfillment in heaven.

In the priestly account of Genesis (Gn. 1:1-24;27), the social purpose of marriage to

propagate the human race by sharing in

Gods own creativity (CCC 1604) is established. Genesis 2:18, 24 which is the Yahwist account of marriage, states the

personal purpose of marriage that is the mutual love, support, and unity of the couple. (CCC 1605).

These account ground the procreative and unitive purposes of marriage. The Genesis accounts also present the following

Fall from conjugal unity and equality in the sin originating the history of human infidelity, adultery, divorce, broken families, etc. (CFC 1887)

The New testament accounts present Christ as the Bridegroom of Gods new covenant with His People who are invited to share in the wedding feast in Gods

Kingdom (Mt. 22:2). Marriage images the covenant between Christ and His Church. Thus husband and wife should love each other as Christ love His Church.

Their life as husband and wife should remind others of the loving union of Christ and the Church.

The Second Preface of the Wedding Mass prays to the Father:

This outpouring of love in the new covenant of grace

Is symbolized in this marriage covenant That seals the love of husband and wife And reflects your divine plan of love

Marriage involves an intimate self-revelation of the entire self: body, mind and spirit; communion of self to self, of person to person with respect for each other; the full giving of

Oneself to the other and the receiving of one another in love. The marriage covenant is also a mission to spread the Good News of Christs love affair with

His people and make Him present on earth through the couples faithful living out of their married vocation.

DOCTRINE: Marriage mirrors Gods everlasting love for His people.

MORAL: Husbands and wives should love each other as Christ love the Church.

WORSHIP: Married couples should pray to the Holy Spirit and receive the sacraments especially the Holy Eucharist for a faithful married life.

CHRISTIAN MARRIAGE SACRAMENT

as a

Marriage is a sacrament, a sign of God's action, an occasion of grace: human action and woman as they

celebrate their matrimony in the Church is sacramentalized by the special presence of God. The couple themselves is the minister of the

Sacrament of Matrimony while the priest acts a witness of the Church. In the expression of the bond of love and unity between the spouses is revealed the true nature/

character of the Church-that is the indivisible union of the Church (the Bride) with Christ where she gives her irrevocable yes to Him.

Marriage as a Sacrament, therefore, is both indivisible and indissoluble.

Man and woman by virtue of their marriage, are no longer two but one flesh.

To them id offered the gift of a new communion of love; richer union with each other on all levels-of the body, of the character, of the heart,

of the intelligence and will, of the soul-reflective of the unique unity between Christ and the Church.

Being of one flesh the couple will fulfill the inseparable ends of marriage which are the mutual

and self-giving of husband and wife that is characterized by conjugal loving (unitive aspect) and the transmission

of life (procreative aspect). This is willed by God and should not be broken by man in his own initiative. (Human Vitae)

In this marriage, spouses bestow and accept each other a lasting relationship from the Divine, witnessed for

the good of both spouses and their children.

By the eyes of the society, precisely for the existence of this sacred bond does not depend on human decision alone

Matthew 19:6, What God has joined together, let no man separate thus makes marriage a vocation and sacrament, an everlasting commitment.

DOCTRINE: The sacrament of marriage makes the love of a man and a woman holy,

indissoluble and reveals the indivisible union of Christ with the Church. MORAL: Husbands and wives should love each

other as Christ loves the Church and should communicate this love to others. WORSHIP: Married couples should pray and receive the sacraments for the grace of love and fidelity.

Communication is the heart of marriage because it draws a couple closer to each other. It is an act of love that results in a deepening of the

love that a husband and wife has for each other. It builds up and develop the relationship between the married couples: creates a climate of faith, understanding and

trust between married couples. Communication is a verbal and non verbal way of expressing or transferring meanings and feelings; a process

That allows people to know each other, to relate to one another, to understand the true meaning of the other persons life.

There are 3 styles of communication: Monologue Duologue Dialogue

Monologue or isahan: one does not listen to what the other is saying.
Duologue or sabayan: both are talking simultaneously; no one wants to give in

Dialogue or salitan: one speaks: the other listen.

In Pope Paul VIs Guidelines for Dialogue in his encyclical letter Ecclesian Suam, he states the characteristic of dialogues:

a. Be Clear

Clearness above all: the dialogue supposes and demands comprehensibility

(ES # 83)

Prepare for the dialogue; plan ahead; agree on the time and place. Aim to listen and experience each other as clearly as possible

b. Be Gentle A second characteristic

of the dialogue is meekness, the virtue which Christ sets before us to be learned from Him;

Learn from me, for I am meek and humble of hearth (Matt. 11,29). The dialogue is not proud, it is no bitter, it is not offense. (ES # 83)

Fighting never brings about a change in attitude. Humble love can change both of you. Listen gently: it helps you hear what you usually block out.

c. Be Trusting Trust not only in the

power of ones word, but also in an attitude of welcoming the trust of the interlocutor.

Trust promotes confidence and friendship. It binds hearts in mutual adherence to the good which excludes all self-seeking. (ES # 84)

Trust yourself, trust your spouse Put yourself vulnerable in each other hands

d. Be Prudent Finallyprudence

strives to learn the sensitivities of the hearer and requires that we adopt ourselves and the manner of our

presentation in a reasonable way less we be displeasing and incomprehensible to him. (ES # 84)

Let go of feelings.

negative

Emphasize on your own feelings and not on what your spouse did Leave bad memories alone; bring only the good memories

Fundamentals Involved in Communication

1. Verbal - speaking (mouth) - listening (ears)

2. Non-verbal - movement (action - Seeing/touching/ hearing (eyes, hands, body parts, ears)

Two Elements of Communication 1. Sender - Sends message by encoding: done through symbols which are verbal and nonverbal.( Encoding: expression of the receiver.

2. Receiver- interprets or decodes the message (Decoding: impression of the receiver)

Interpretation is influenced by: Environmental filters such as noise, ventilation or other listeners tone pitch etc.

Personal filters such as the persons self image, image of the speaker, past experiences regarding the subject

of communication, his/her belief, worries, anxieties, fears and the degree of trust and confidence he/she has for the speaker.

If the expression and impression are the same, communications take place. Interpretation should be sent back to the sender as a feedback

So that he will be able to verify that his message was receive correctly. For husband and wife, this will ensure mutual understanding.

Are you angry I went out this afternoon? Decoding Receiver

He is not pleased of my going out without telling somebody

Encoding Sender
Message: I was looking for you the whole afternoon

Verbal and non verbal; Symbol (expression)

Interpretation of verbal & non verbal communication (impression)

No, I just wanted to give you my pay check for you purchases in Zamboanga

Purpose of communication To establish, build and continuously make a relationship grow; to be aware of the other person and his/her needs;

For better understanding of the other (partner).

LEVEL OF COMMUNICATION 1. Clich Level-small talk

Shallow conversation: social formulas or ritualistic exchanges

like, Hello! How are you? Good morning. Where have you been?

 Sometimes

meaningless but better than embarrassing silence Leads to frustration/resentment (in marriage)

 Usually

happens to acquaintances No sharing of person at all

2. Facts level Information is shared: no personal comment.

 Telling

talking others (gossiping)

and about

Focus

is still on events outside of oneself

No

personal revelation of feelings/emotions.

 Men

settle for this type as they are less expressive of feelings.

3.Idea/Opinion/ Judgment Level

Real

communication starts here.

 Speaker

starts to share a part of himself/herself.

Take

risk to expose thoughts/ opinions.

 Talk

about issues, important things.

 Personal

to the husband and wife: finance, children, important current events

4.Feeling/Emotion Level or Gut Level Describes whats going on inside: feeling about people, situation

Sharing

of joys, sorrows and resentment.

 Can

be a venue for a better knowledge and a mutual understanding.

One feels noticed, worthy, loved, appreciated and safe in his/her partners affection.

care about you: I feel frustrated: Im happy to have you.

5. Peak Level (deep need/insight) Rare insightful moment when one is perfectly in tune with the other in understanding, dept

and emotional satisfaction; occasional experiences of perfect and mutual empathy.

 Characterized

absolute openness, honesty and frankness

by

 Type

of communication that husband and wife should strive for to achieve true union.

1. Communication builds up and develops an authentic relationship between married couples

Importance of Communication to Married Couples

 It

enables couples to express their love for each other.

 It

helps them to keep in touch and support their live together as husband and wife.

As they talk about their personal and corporate life, makes decisions and plans, their sense or commitment and care for each other grows and deepens.

Love is patient, love is kind. It is not jealous, is not pompous. It is not inflated, It is not rude, it is not quick tempered, it does not brood over injury,

(1 Corinthians 13:4-7)

it does not rejoice over wrong doings but rejoices with the truth. It bears all things, believe all things, endures all things,

 Regular

communication help married couples grow in unity which is based on a relationship with Christ.)

Make every effort to reserve unity which has the spirit as its binding
force (Eph 4:3)

Regular communication in itself serve as a way of seeking that unity which has the Spirit as its source.

 Good

minimizes and recognize disagreement and differences

communication

DOCTINE: Married love involves growth in faith through communication.

MORAL: Promote and maintain harmonious marital bonds through communication

WORSHIP: Married couples should pray to the Holy Spirit to get the grace and strength needed to live the marriage covenant.

CHRISTIAN PARENTING

The call (of God) to married life carries with it the vocation or the call to be responsible Christian

parents and grow in the capacity to love. Conscious of the fold role of couples (unitive & procreative) who enter into the sacraments of marriage, they should

Look forward to becoming good parents to the children that they beget. Christian parenting is responsible fatherhood and

motherhood. It is a commitment to promote the dignity of marriage and family.

God is a model Father/Parent. In the Sacred Scriptures, one can draw out the qualities that every parent would surely want to emulate.

God was a loving, kind, caring, just, and forgiving Father, a good provider, a teacher, a protector, savior, confessor, and friend.

Parenthood is a Spiritual Activity Children are Gods gifts to parents. From a gift of a new responsibility stems

parental love which is even more selfless than conjugal love because it does not expect anything in return. Parents must love and educate their

children in the arts of Christian loving. The child must be able to experience Gods love through the love that is shown in the family; the parents

must first of all love each other (conjugal love) and each member of the family (parental love). Love that is felt and seen will bring a sense of

security and a desire to give love to others. Sometimes children are not at their best and seem unworthy of being love, but teaching children to

grow in the capacity to love means loving them unconditionally and dying to oneself. Parenthood becomes a spiritual activity and not just a biological

begetting when parents give continuous care and concern for each new human life given them so as to enable and empower these

children to maturity. Parenting that empowers children to maturity is a concept similar to the biblical

portrayal of disciplining. Jesus gathered around

Him and trained disciples, empowering them to go and make disciples of all nations ( Matt. 28:19)

When procreation is not possible, the couple, faithful to their conjugal life, can open to their important service to the life of a human

person e.g. adoption, apostolate for the poor, handicapped, assistance to other families. (FC 14)

Respect for Life One essential element of marriage is procreation. God

blessed them and said to them: be fruitful and multiply.

(Genesis 1:28) Thus, parents should be ready to cooperate with the Creator, who through them, will enlarge His family. (FC 28)

The parents appreciation for the value of human life is manifested in their desire for fruitfulness: children are Gods precious gift and are

testimonies of the parents capacity to love. Fruitfulness in married life is not restricted solely to the physical procreation. Children

should be enriched in the emotional, psychological, moral and spiritual aspects as well. (FC 28)

Nurture and Respect for Life Nurture and respect for life is not rendered in the personal level alone i.e. from the womb to

the tomb Attacks on human life are not confined to abortion, suicide, euthanasia, drugs and scandal alone.

On societal level, the ecology crisis, economic and political exploitation, and the race endanger the quality of human life.
(FC 1000)

It is thus a responsibility of parents to teach their children how to respect not only life but to be good

stewards of Creation so they and the generations to come may live in an environment that can foster and nurture life.

Teach your child how he should live and he will remember this all his life. (Proverbs
20:6)

APPRECIATION OF THE WIFE AS A WOMAN AND THE HUSBAND AS A MAN

In the exercise of the management of conception, the husband and the wife are equally important.

The decision and the ability to have a child should be made by the couple. Both should have profound respect for the dignity of each other as person.

Man is called upon to be a husband and a father. He has to learn to understand his wife and have self-mastery over his sexual expressions.

His fruitfulness as a father results from loving his wife, the mother of her children, and loving the children themselves.

The wife is a childbearer but as such, she is not merely a reproductive apparatus. Child- bearing for her must be meaningful in human terms.

It means that she must have a free commitment to parenthood and sincere responses to its demands in mutuality with the husband.

Generosity in loving is characteristic of Gods way of loving. It must be abiding quality of spouses.

Both must be open to more children, if it be the will of God, and be capable of sacrifices and renunciation of their personal comfort.

.. husband and wife, through that mutual gift of themselves, which is specific and exclusive to them alone,

develop that union of two person in which they perfect one another, cooperating with God in the genaration and rearing of new lives. (HV 8)

In his encyclical, Humanae Vitae (# 10) Pope John Paul IV says that responsible parenthood requires

that husband recognize their own duties toward God, themselves, their families and human society.

1. The awareness and respect of natural reproductive processes which are integral parts of the human person.

2. The control and discipline (and in the process develop selfmastery) of their passions and instinctual tendencies.

3. The deliberate and generous decision to raise a big family or delay for an interval of time (short or long) the coming, for serious/grave reasons

of a new child, and with the respect to the moral law/teaching of the Church pertaining to life, in consideration of the physical, economic, psychological and social conditions.

4. Formation of a right conscience to interpret the objective moral order established by God.

1.Physical Needs:
food clothing healthcare shelter

2. Emotional/Psychological Needs love care concern for their feelings correct sex values and attitudes

3. Social Needs: freedom varied and rich experiences association with other people enrichment of ideas

4. Educational Needs: develop their intellect and will know right vs. wrong

purpose

of existence tools and skills to achieve goal seek the truth Importance of & develop values

5. Spiritual Needs:
well

formed conscience firm religious belief prayerful relationship with God virtues: teach them how to pray

Children likewise have to love their parents and give them due respect.

Children, obey your parents for this is right: Honor your father and your mother.

And this is the first commandment with a promise: that you may go well with you and that you will have a long life on earth (Eph. 6:1-4)

DOCTRINE: The love of parents is the sign of the very love of God.

MORAL: There should be mutual respect and love of parents and children.

WORSHIP: Pray and receive the sacraments with their families.

FERTILITY AWARENESS AND NATURAL FAMILY PLANNING

Pope John Paul II in his book, Go in Peace said that Conjugal love

is the loftiest and most beautiful expression

of human relations and selfgiving, for it is essentially a desire for mutual growth.

The creator instituted marriage for the mutual gift of husband and wife to each other and both to God in perfect union.

Jesus Christ elevated the marriage union to the dignity of a sacrament presenting the union of Christ and the Church.

1. Total: the husband and the wife share everything- physical, emotional, psychological, moral

and spiritualwithout undue reservation of selfish calculation.

2. Faithful and Exclusive: it is forever concerned with the growth of the spouse; fidelity to the end.

3. Fruitful: it is not exhausted by the communion of husband and wife but is destined to continue, raise up and educate new lives.

1. Pius XI and Casti Connubii: the conjugal act is for procreation and union; it is a grave

sin to deliberately prevent conception.

The conjugal act is destined primarily by nature for the begetting of children but in the use of

matrimonial rights there are also secondary ends, such as mutual aid, the cultivating of mutual love, and the quieting of concupiscence,

which husband and wife are not forbidden to consider so long as they are subordinated to the primary end and as long as the intrinsic nature of act is preserved (CC
80.85

2. Pius XIIs Address to Midwives: gave the first public, explicit and official approval of the use of periodic continence which is the abstinence from

from sexual intercourse during the womans fertile period; limit intercourse to the time of a womans fertility.

3. Gaudium et Spes (Vatican II Council): Important points about Christian marriage and the and the meaning of family life were expressed.

a. As a community of love and as an intimate partnership of life and love, marriage reflects and shares in the loving covenant that

Christ with His Church; the Christian family is the living presence of Christ in the world.

b. Coital expressions of conjugal love signify and promote the mutual self-giving by which spouses enrich each other with a joyful and thankful will.

c. Conjugal love is for the procreation and education of children.

d. Married couples participate in the creative work of God.

e. Responsible parenting entails the openness to creation, care of children and when necessary,

must establish appropriate limitations to their power to conceive.

f. The decision to transmit human life must be in accord with the divine law and the Church teachings;

g. Acts of conjugal love are not to be morally evaluated simply by referring to their biological dimension but rather by assessing their

relationship to the whole person; norm of morality is rooted in the nature of human person and not in the isolated purposes of specific actions.

3. Paul VI and Humane Vitae: landmark encyclical on birth control. the unitive and procreative dimensions of the conjugal act are inseparable;

contraception prohibited artificial causation of conception not allowed

reaffirmed

the use of the infertile period in a womans cycle can be used by couples to plan their family.

The Pope exhorts the medical men of science to deepen their studies on the natural rhythm of fertility and infertility.

4. John Paul II and Familiaris Cosortio:

by means of recourse to periods of infertility, the couple respects the inseparable connection between the unitive &

procreative meaning of human sexuality, they are acting as ministers of Gods plan and benefit from their sexuality according to the

original dynamism of total self giving, without manipulation or alteration (FC # 32)

The proper praises couples who use the natural fertility cycle to properly plan their families.

The Pope calls men of science to make

a broider, more decisive and systematic effort to make the natural

methods of regulating fertility known, respected and applied. (FC # 35)

Only Natural Family Planning methods are licit in the Catholic Church

The Catholic Church does not recommend or endorsed any particular method of natural family planning to be used by couples to fulfill their fertility intentions.

The choice of NFP method should be left to the discretion and discernment of couples who decide to achieve, to postpone or to avoid pregnancy.

Determination of the fertile and infertile periods of a woman is left to the discretion of the couple.

It does not preclude the use of thermometers, charts, beads, or other instruments to determine the natural rhythm of fertility and infertility.

Anatomical and physiological changes occur in the human body during the fertile or reproductive years of a man/woman.

Knowledge and understanding of fertility will help them appreciate and respect the beauty of their femininity or masculinity.

Sperm cells begin to be produced in the testes of an adolescent at around puberty.

The hormone, testosterone influence the development and formulation of sperms cells and it also responsible for the secondary male characteristics.

The scrotum is the skin covering which protects the testes.

Sperms cells are stored and mature in the epididymis.

When a man is sexually aroused, the sperm cell is transported through the vas deferens.

Fluids from the seminal vesicle and the prostrate gland combine with the sperm cells and the milky white fluid is called semen.

The fluids nourish and assist the movement of the sperm cell until they are released by the millions from the mans body in the process of ejaculation.

The acidic environment of the urethra caused by the passage of urine is neutralized by fluids secreted by the Cowpers gland.

The sperms are released through the penis which is the mans organ for sexual intercourse.

Within a minutes from ejaculation, the sperm cell reach a womans Fallopian tube and can live from 35 days in the womans body at a time she was fertile.

When a baby girl is born , her ovaries already contain immature egg cells.

At puberty the egg cells begin to mature, within a womans menstrual cycle.

The menstrual cycle starts until the day before the next menstruation.

The menstrual cycle varies from woman to woman.

An average cycle is from 26-32 days, the short cycle is below 26 while the long cycle is beyond 32 days.

Once in every menstrual cycle, and egg cell matures and is released from the ovary into the Fallopian tube in the process called ovulation.

The egg cell survives for about 24 hours in the Fallopian tube.

If a sperm cell is present, fertilization is likely to occur.

Fertilization is the union of the egg cell and the sperm cell.

The fertilized egg cell journeys for around 6 days towards the uterus where it is implanted in the uterine lining.

Pregnancy takes place for a period of 9 months and culminates within childbirth.

The cervix or neck of the uterus dilates at childbirth and allows the emergence of the baby from the uterus through the vagina.

If the egg cell is unfertilized, it deteriorates and is reabsorbed in the body.

In about 10-16 days, the uterine lining is shed off I the form of menstruation.

Fertility is the ability to have a baby.

It involves the male and female reproductive organ as well as the brain.

Although it is the woman who becomes pregnant and goes through childbirth , both the man and the woman are involved in the fertility.

Male fertility starts at puberty and continues everyday for as long as he lives.

The sperm is his contribution in the conception of the child.

The woman becomes capable of becoming pregnant and bearing a child at from the onset of menstruation (menarche) until menopause.

Unlike a man, she is fertile only for a few days in the month when a mature egg cell is present.

The egg is the female contribution in the conception of a child.

The sperm cell and egg cell meet through lovemaking or sexual intercourse.

Not every sexual intercourse will result in pregnancy because pregnancy is only achieved when a woman is fertile, i.e. when a mature egg cell is released.

At other times, lovemaking will not result pregnancy.

Starts from the first day of menstrual bleeding to the day before ovulation.

Bleeding comes from the shedding of the uterine lining which indicates that there is no pregnancy

Usually take 3-5 days. Menstrual bleeding is normal and healthy and is not indicative of illness

When menstruation stops the feeling is dry as no cervical mucus felt or seen

Egg cells begin to develop Follicles around the developing egg cells produce the hormone estrogen

Estrogen helps prepare the body of pregnancy. Lining of the uterus starts to thicken. Basal body temperature stay low

Sticky and pasty cervical mucus is produced and & forms a plug which prevents the entry of sperms

This is a relatively infertile phase.

This phase is the highlight of a womans fertility

One mature egg is released from the ovary and stays in the Fallopian tube for about 24 hours

 The

uterine lining continues to thicken. The mucus plug is disloged

 Cervical

mucus becomes watery, stretchy, slippery and clear. Woman feels wet

 Mucus

provides channels that help the sperms to swim to the egg.

It also nourishes the sperm and filters out abnormal sperms.

 Basal

body temperature starts to rise as the level of progesterone starts to increase

 This

is the fertile phase of the menstrual cycle.

 No

egg is present

 Woman

experience dry feeling: mucus may or may not be seen at all or if there is any mucus, it is sticky, cloudy, crumbly or pasty

 The

corpus luteum produces more progesterone Lining of the uterus continues to thicken

 Mucus

becomes sticky & pastry & forms a plug again to prevent the entry of sperms

 Basal

Body temperature rises and stays higher until the next menstrual cycle

 The

phase covers about 10-16 days which is constant whether the cycle is short, long or average

 Is

an absolutely infertile phase because there is no mature egg present & the mucus plug prevents the entry of sperm

 Decrease

in the level of estrogen & progesterone

 Developments

of the uterine stops Lining of the uterus is shed after 10-16 days & menstrual oocurs

Corpus lute continues to produce progesterone & some estrogen which causes the further thickening & softening of the endometrium for the implantation of the fertilized ovum

 There

is NO menstruation Placenta form is 1012 weeks to nourish the baby until he or she is born

 Breast

and nipple enlargement

Fertility indicators are signs and symptoms that will tell when a woman is fertile and not fertile:

1. Changes in a womans body temperature at rest 2. Changes in her cervical mucus

3. A fully breastfeeding mother experiences physiologic infertility under certain conditions

4. Tracking the first day of the menstruation and cycle length

These scientific indicators had been developed through the into natural family planning method years.

Through the admonition of our Holy Fathers, science and medicine have seriously studied and researched the natural fertility in a womans cycle.

As such they have come up with several natural methods that are in accord with the Church teachings.

Of

determining the fertile & infertile periods of a woman

By

observing signs & symptoms during the menstrual cycle

So

that sexual intercourse is timed in order to achieve or avoid pregnancy

NFT methods are NOT DIDO methods: No Drugs, No Injections, No device, No Operation.

The basal body temperature is the temperature of a woman at rest after at least 3 hours of continues sleep.

It males use of an ovulation thermometer and temperature reading are recorded on a BBT chart.

The method is based on the womans mestrual cycle.

 Cover

line is the point of reference for determining the thermal shift that occurs during ovulation (highest temperature on days 6-10)

 Thermal

shift is indicated by the (3) consecutive temperatures above the cover line

Vertical

line is drawn between day 2 & 3 of the thermal shift

 Fertile

days are days to the left of the vertical line Infertile days are all days to the vertical line

 Upon

taking the temperature, use the BBT chard to record by placing a dot at the center of the box that matches the temperature reading on the left side column of the chart.

 Connect

the dots as your record daily In case the temperature is registered between 2 readings, record the higher reading

 Take

note of any illness as this may affect the interpretation of the temperature pattern.

 The

basal body temperature of a menstruating woman is lower before ovulation until it rises to a higher level beginning around the time of ovulation.

 After

ovulation, her BBT typically rises slightly & three consecutive temperature readings higher than the last 6 readings confirm that ovulation has taken place.

 The

infertile days begin from the third day of the high temperature to the last day of the cycle.

 All

day from the start of the menstrual cycle to the second high temperature reading are considered fertile days.

Observing a cervical mucus is one of the best way to predict ovulation & determine when it has occurred.

A woman can learn to observe the changes in the mucus to identify the days during its menstrual cycle when pregnancy can or cannot occur.

She can tell this because the mucus changes in color, amount & the way it feels.

As a modern NFT method, its effectiveness rate is 97%, WHO Medical

Eligibility Criteria Edition 2004, listed

rd 3

Observing

Recording

Woman Feeling appearance of mucus

Who? What

Couple Feeling (wet/dry) Appearance of mucus

Vaginal area Where? Personal puwerta mucus method chart

Throughout When? In the the day evening Before & before after going to urinating bed

Ask self: What do I feel in my vaginal area? What do I see in my underwear?

How?

Use the chart sumbols

USING SYMBOLS IN RECORDING WHAT IS FELT AND WHAT IS SEEN R- Regla or menstruation; spotting M- Dry with sticky, pasty, or crumbly mucus

D- Dry, no mucus X- wet with slippery, stretchy, clear or watery mucus X- Peak day, LAST day of wetness/wet mucus