For Faithful & Fulfilling Romance

Are sexual thoughts about your spouse sinful in Catholic marriage? Drawing on traditional Catholic moral theology, this article explains when sexual thoughts and fantasies about one’s spouse are morally permissible, when they become sinful, and how married Catholics can distinguish legitimate marital desire from mental adultery or other forms of disordered sexual thought.

Can Catholic spouses engage in penetration without ejaculation, or deliberately seek a second orgasm outside the conjugal act? This article answers two reader questions by applying traditional Catholic moral theology to male orgasm outside intercourse and to amplexus reservatus, or incomplete intercourse without ejaculation.

Help AMI make your support go further. We’re raising $800 to bring our courses, coaching, and resources together on one platform—with the potential to save up to $800 a month and simplify access for couples. Give by October 31 to help us make the move.

Painful intercourse is a common but often misunderstood difficulty among married couples, particularly newlyweds. Join James Boyd Walther, Marriage and Family Therapy Intern and Certified Sexologist, for an informative webinar exploring the physical and psychological causes of painful sex, including dyspareunia, vaginismus, and related sexual difficulties. We'll discuss common contributing factors, the impact of sexual shame and trauma, and practical treatment options that help couples overcome these challenges while remaining faithful to Catholic teaching. The webinar will conclude with an opportunity for questions and answers.

This article examines Fr. Ripperger’s claims about marital chastity in light of St. Alphonsus Liguori, St. Thomas Aquinas, and traditional Catholic moral theology. It challenges several of his interpretations of marital intimacy, distinguishing binding moral obligations from disputed theological opinions. It also addresses the pastoral consequences of excessive rigor, particularly the risk of deepening scrupulosity among married Catholics seeking to live their faith.