I attended a pre-cana wedding seminar held at San Agustin Parish, San Agustin Church, Intramuros, Manila on March 28, 2015. The speaker or chatechist at that time was Mrs. Ofelia D. Granados. Me and my friends were seated at front, because we weren't couples who are going to get married, so that we won't make noise at the back as well. It was a very small room, but there were around 20-25 couples who are going to get married in the next 6 months or so. The speaker looks very knowledgeable and funny at first. She told us that most pre-cana seminars would last up to 3 days, but she insisted the parish priest that her version of the seminar would last only half a day. I was wondering on what is in store for us that day in the seminar. She gives us a brief recap of what "Marriage" really is. It is a Sacrament (Sacrament of Matrimony), a lifetime commitment, total giving of oneself, a calling/vocation, and pro-creation with God. She told us the 5 values of an individual to his/her partner. These are love, trust, honesty (is still the best policy), respect, and faithfulness. For the pro-creation part, she tells us that it's goal is to start a new family of our own, always love each other and have our own children. She then discusses to us about her life with her husband. Even though they came from a wealthy family, they have been living life as a middle classed one. They only have 1 daughter and it has been very hard for them not to spoil her. She then talks about challenges that they have been facing recently, like death of a relative and sickness of both her and her husband. She tells us that these are tests to their relationship if they would leave each other. But they remembered the wedding vows "for better for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health, till death do us part." This made her strong during her sickness (she got sick because she was too stressed with a death of a relative, and working too hard to pay for the medical bills). She went into a coma, and with her strength she asked God to give her another chance, to live her life to the fullest by loving her family. These challenges helped here become a better wife, by doing her responsibilities like cooking for her husband before he comes home from work (making sure food is on the table when he comes back, she mentions). She also handles the financial part of the family, and takes into consideration the needs of the other members.
The quote she said that struck me the most was "Life is what you make it."
Lastly, the speaker mentioned about the 7 Deadly Sins and they are not helpful in a married life. She has concrete examples for each, and ways on how to avoid them. Anger/Wrath, do not be angry all the time, and be calm when dealing with situations. Gluttony, it is not only applicable in food but also in money, do not overspend or overeat and waste God's blessings. it would lead to serious problems. Sloth, by being lazy, spiritually and physically. Envy, being jealous and desire to feel discontent. Pride, she says each person in a relationship should lower down their pride and talk to each other calmly. Greed, excessive desire of material possessions. Lust, which also relates to the uncontrolled desire for money, food, fame, etc.. These are the things that we should avoid in a relationship even if me and my partner are not married and learn to be contented with the things in life.
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| The most handsome guy at the left is me of course :) |
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| The year written in the certificate was a typo error, I added a picture of me and my classmates outside the church of San Agustin for further proof. |
