419 THE GIFT OF A CHILD

YOUCAT Lesson 419, July 15, 2015

YOUCAT the catechism for Catholic youth

419  How many children should a Christian married couple have?

A Christian married couple has as many children as God gives them and as they can take responsibility for.  [2373]

Sisters-in-Law sharing each other’s child: Lisa Bragg-Hurlburt with Stephen Bragg and Hope Bragg holding Leila Hurlburt about 2009. ….. 419

All children whom God sends are a grace and a great blessing.  That does not mean that a Christian couple is not supposed to consider how many children they can raise responsibly, given the health of each spouse and their economic or social situation.  When a child comes “nevertheless”, the child should be welcomed with joy and willingness and accepted with great love.  By trusting in God, many Christian couples find the courage to have a large family.

Responsible Parenthood: The Church affirms and defends a married couple’s right, within the context of natural family planning, to determine by themselves the number of their children and the distance between births.

[2373]

The gift of a child

2373 Sacred Scripture and the Church's traditional practice see in large families a sign of God's blessing and the parents' generosity. (Compare Gaudium et Spes 50 § 2.)¹⁶³