Apostolic Administrator Charles Scicluna (pictured) urged couples to show sobriety in their life choices, advising them not to spend all their lives paying off their wedding ceremony.
He delivered the advice during a homily on Sunday at a Mass for couples who will get married in the Church this year.
The Mass is a yearly appointment organised by the Cana Movement, a Church organisation that prepares couples for marriage.
Mgr Scicluna told the young audience sobriety meant doing things without extravagance: “It means doing what is essential, doing it well but not to end up paying for your wedding all your life.”
He thanked them for choosing a Christian marriage, reminding them that their choice meant closing the door on other types of relationships and marriages.
“Today there are many types of marriage: marriages with a timeframe, marriages between a woman and a woman, or a man and a man. You are making a choice together with Christ... Your choice is not based on ritual but a lasting marriage between a man and a woman that is open to life.”
Mgr Scicluna urged the couples to do things together but reminded them marriage was not a bond of “slavery”.
“You are giving your lives to each other without losing your individuality and autonomy... You are not signing up to be slaves,” he said.
Mgr Scicluna urged them to be faithful and show respect in intimate moments. He also reminded them to pray together and dedicate enough time to each other.
He hoped marriage would represent a moment of freedom and asked them to choose well by using their time to understand well what they will be doing at the altar.
“If there is something worrying you, now is the time to speak up. If you do not feel comfortable, now is the time to say so. But do not fear hard decisions.”
Mgr Scicluna then urged them to put aside earthly worries and love each other.
“The house will be built, it will get painted, but you have to be present in each others’ lives. Make sure the most important time is that spent together,” he said.
kurt.sansone@timesofmalta.com