22. There is "marriage honorable
in all, and the [nuptial] bed undefiled" (Cf. Hebrews xiii: 4). Tranquil
walls resound with no quarreling voices nor do they
witness the secret martyrdom which comes when hidden infidelity is laid bare;
unquestioning trust turns aside the slings of suspicion; sorrow is assuaged and
joy is heightened by mutual affection. Within those sacred precincts children
are considered not heavy burdens but sweet pledges of love; no reprehensible
motive of convenience, no seeking after sterile pleasure, brings about the
frustration of the gift of life nor causes to fall into disuse the sweet names
of brother and sister. With what solicitude do the parents take care that the
children not only grow in physical vigor but also
that, following in the footsteps of their forbears whose memory is often
recalled to them, they may shine with the light which profession of the pure
faith and moral goodness impart to them. Moved by the numerous benefits
received, such children consider it their paramount duty to honor
their parents, to be attentive to their desires, to be the staff of their old
age, to rejoice their gray hairs with an affection
which, unquenched by death, will be made more glorious and more complete in the
mansion of Heaven. The members of the Christian family, neither querulous in
adversity nor ungrateful in prosperity, are ever filled with confidence in God
to Whose sway they yield willing obedience, in Whose will they acquiesce and
upon Whose help they wait not in vain.
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