From Catholic sexual ethics to biology to foreplay to positions, our articles are a reference point for all your Catholic sexual queries.
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Great and Holy Week: The Week of the Bridegroom in the Byzantine Church and Some Contributions of the East to Catholic Theology on Marriage
In this article, Theo McManigal, who is a Byzantine Catholic, shares why the Byzantine Catholic Church calls Holy Week the “Week of the Bridgeroom” and he also shares some insights from Una Caro which have helped him see how his Byzantine Catholicism relates closely to the work he does for this apostolate.
Answering Objections Against Oral Stimulation Within Marriage
In this article, we thoroughly debunk a couple common objections against the morality of oral sexual stimulation used as foreplay between Catholic spouses.
The Loss of My Two Sons - The Story of How It Happened Through My Eyes and How Tragedy Can Strengthen Your Marriage
Theo McManigal shares the story of the tragic loss of his two sons and how this taught him how tragedy can strengthen marriages if the graces it offers are cooperated with. A good and loving marriage can survive and even grow stronger through any of life's difficulties, and the way mine has sustained me through these tragedies is a big part of why I am passionate about serving married couples.
Sexual Morality During Spousal Separation
Spousal separation can make a trial out of nearly every facet of life, including our sexuality. In this article we address how separated spouses are supposed to understand their sexuality and the obligations attached to it during such a confusing state of life.
Spring Update: Coaching Availability, New Clients, and What to Expect
A few coaching spots have recently opened as several couples completed their programs, but the usual spring surge of inquiries has already begun. In this update, James Boyd Walther explains his current coaching availability, how the intake process works, and what couples can expect if they decide to begin coaching. The article also previews upcoming developments, including the future introduction of Catholic sex therapy under clinical supervision.
Support Our New Catholic Marriage Projects
We need your support as our Apostolate takes on several ambitious projects to faithfully serve married couples by helping them better understand the teachings of the Catholic Church in a clear and accessible way.
Beyond Makeup Sex: Using Intimacy to Navigate Grief and Conflict
Most couples are familiar with make-up sex, but what about grief sex? Or intentionally using sexual intimacy to calm conflict before a difficult conversation? This evidence-based guide explores how sexual connection affects bonding hormones like oxytocin, reduces stress and cortisol, and strengthens marital intimacy during seasons of grief and relational tension. Learn how practices like grief sex, fight sex, and make-up sex can support emotional resilience, conflict resolution, and deeper connection in marriage when approached with consent, communication, and maturity.
Can Spouses Engage in Any Oral Stimulation Outside the Conjugal Act?
In the past, our Apostolate has tackled whether or not oral stimulation can be done as preludes to the conjugal act. But in this article, we want to answer whether limited expressions of oral stimulation could be done even outside the conjugal act itself, outside a proximate danger of orgasm.
Will You Go to Hell for Disagreeing with St. Alphonsus on a Moral Issue? Correcting a Common Myth
In this article, we debunk a common myth circulated by certain voices online which states that disagreeing with Alphonsus on a matter of marital chastity necessarily puts your soul in jeopardy.
Sensate Focus: A Gentle Way to Reduce Pressure and Restore Presence in Marriage
Sensate Focus is a simple, structured way to reduce pressure and anxiety around physical intimacy in marriage. Rather than focusing on performance or outcomes, it helps couples return their attention to the body and the present moment. This article introduces how Sensate Focus is used carefully in marital coaching and why it can be a helpful support for couples seeking greater ease, trust, and connection in their physical relationship.
The Morality of Multiple Orgasms During Sex For Both Men and Women
In this article, we discuss the morality of either the husband or wife experiencing multiple orgasms in a single session of conjugal intercourse.
Should Intimacy Be Sought While the Other Spouse Is Upset With You?
In this article, we explore how the desire for intimacy should be handled during periods of emotional distance between spouses.
Understanding the Practical Basics of Marital Chastity: Complete vs Incomplete Sexual Acts
In this article we walk you through some key terms and concept that will help you understand the fundamentals of marital chastity which may help illuminate our articles a bit more.
Can Spouses Watch Pornography Together?
This article provides a theologically rich answer to whether spouses can watch porn together within marriage. The Church’s teaching against pornography is very clear, but most of what the Church has taught addresses pornography outside of marriage. Here, we address whether it can ever be watched inside marriage.
Reflection on the Day of Prayer for the Unborn
A reflection and call to prayer for the unborn
Pornography and Marriage
In this article, we discuss the dangers of pornography in marriage and mention some resources on how to begin tackling this scourge.
Ask Any Catholic Sexual Ethics Questions You Have!
An open invitation for our readers to ask any questions they may have about Catholic sexual ethics or marital chastity
Does the Marital Debt Apply to Foreplay?
While we at the Apostolate have tackled many questions having to do with the marital debt, we wanted to address whether sexual acts besides intercourse could also be requested through the marital debt by spouses. This article gives a thorough answer rooted in Catholic tradition and pastoral wisdom.
My Spouse Uses Porn. What Now?
The article offers practical guidance for spouses who discover pornography use in their marriage, helping them understand why the experience is so painful and how to respond in a healthy way. It validates the betrayed spouse’s emotions, clarifies that the betrayal is not their fault, and encourages concrete next steps such as taking time to grieve, seeking support from priests, therapists, and trusted friends, and accessing reputable recovery resources. By framing pornography use as both a serious moral failing and a destructive coping behavior, the article equips spouses with a realistic framework for pursuing healing, compassion, and possible marital restoration.
Moral Guidelines for Catholic Dating: Kissing Before Marriage?
What does the Church teach about kissing before marriage? This article provides a nuanced perspective, drawing from the Church’s magisterium and pastoral wisdom.