Bishop Robert E. Barron emphasized that marriage is “a source of hope for all generations” in a statement ahead of National Marriage Week (Feb. 7-14) and World Marriage Day (Feb. 9). He is the chair of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Committee on Laity, Marriage, Family Life and Youth. National Marriage Week, started in 1996 in the UK, came to the U.S. in 2002, with contributions from various faith communities. World Marriage Day began in 1981 in Louisiana through couples in Worldwide Marriage Encounter.
The theme for this year’s National Marriage Week is “Source of Hope, Spring of Renewal. Pursue a Lasting Love!” This theme focuses on hope and the enduring nature of love. Bishop Barron stated that marriage is a commitment that counters the disposable view of relationships today and offers support against loneliness for young people. The Catholic Church teaches that the marriage covenant is established by God to promote love and family life.
Recent analysis shows that the percentage of married adults in the U. S. increased slightly from 50% to 51% between 2019 and 2023, while those living with an unmarried partner rose to 7%. In 2023, 42% of adults were without any partner, marking a small decline in a long-term trend.