From Catholic sexual ethics to biology to foreplay to positions, our articles are a reference point for all your Catholic sexual queries.
Articles
Mission Sponsors
-
Truth & Fertility Project
-
Walther Institute for Marital Intimacy
-
Married Dance
-
Become a Sponsor
Every day, couples come to us seeking faithful, practical guidance for building holy, healthy marriages.
Your support helps us create articles, courses, webinars, coaching resources, and formation rooted in authentic Catholic teaching.
Whether through a ONE-TIME GIFT or ONGOING MEMBERSHIP, you become a partner in bringing hope, healing, and truth to marriages around the world.
Am I Using My Spouse for Pleasure?
What does it really mean to “use” your spouse as a means to an end during sex? This article brings John Paul II’s personalistic language into conversation with traditional Catholic moral theology to clarify when the pursuit of sexual pleasure remains within conjugal love—and when it risks reducing a spouse to an instrument.
The Purpose of Pleasure in Marriage: Why It Matters More Than You Think
If sex isn’t pleasurable, it’s not working the way it’s supposed to. In this article, we explain why pleasure is not the goal of sex, but an essential guide to doing it well. When both spouses experience real pleasure and satisfaction, desire, frequency, and connection naturally improve. We also address why orgasm matters for both husband and wife and how to start “following the pleasure” in a practical way. If intimacy feels like a chore, it’s time to fix the system.
We Haven’t Had Sex Yet… Now What?
You’re a few months, maybe even a year into marriage… and sex still hasn’t happened. If that’s your reality, you’re not alone, but it is something that needs to be addressed. Many couples quietly fall into patterns of avoidance after awkward or disappointing early attempts, slowly building a marriage without physical intimacy. The good news is this is fixable with the right mindset and intentional steps. Here’s how to move forward with clarity, confidence, and support.
Job: Graphic Designer (Freelance or Part-Time)
We're seeking a freelance graphic designer to assist with project-based design work for our Catholic nonprofit, including publications, print materials, social media graphics, and more. This flexible, paid opportunity has the potential to grow into an ongoing freelance or hourly role as our ministry expands.
When You’re “Touched Out”: Intimacy During the Nursing Season
Breastfeeding can leave many women feeling “touched out,” making the transition to marital intimacy difficult. While this experience is normal, it often creates a disconnect between spouses if not understood and addressed. This article offers practical guidance for navigating this season, including communication, support, affirmation, and prioritizing the wife’s experience in intimacy. With intentional effort, couples can turn this challenging phase into an opportunity for deeper connection and love.
Operations Coordinator (Position Filled)
The Apostolate for Marital Intimacy (AMI) is seeking a part-time Operations Coordinator to help support the day-to-day operations of our growing Catholic nonprofit. This remote, independent contractor position (approximately 5 hours per week to start) is ideal for a highly organized, mission-driven individual who enjoys coordinating projects, managing communications, and helping a team operate effectively. Responsibilities include scheduling, communication management, project tracking, website updates, and basic administrative and bookkeeping tasks. If you are passionate about strengthening Catholic marriages and would like to help build a growing apostolate, we encourage you to apply.
The Nativity of St. John the Baptist: Witness to Life, Marriage, and Hope
St. John the Baptist stands as a powerful witness to life in the womb, the truth of marriage, social justice, and humble discipleship. This article explores why Catholics should look to him as a martyr for marriage, the “best man” of Christ the Bridegroom, and a hopeful intercessor for families, the unborn, and those experiencing grief.
Marital Intimacy with Physical Disabilities: When the Body Limits, Love Must Lead
Many couples facing physical disabilities quietly assume that a fulfilling sex life is out of reach. But the truth is, intimacy is not reserved for the physically perfect, it simply requires a different approach. With the right mindset, clear communication, and a willingness to adapt, even significant limitations can be navigated. Your marriage is not disqualified from deep, meaningful intimacy. Sometimes, it just needs a new path forward.
Must Couples Intend to Conceive Each Time They Have Intercourse?
Must Catholic married couples intend to conceive every time they have sex? This article examines recent magisterial teaching on procreation, conjugal love, and why openness to life does not require an explicit intention to achieve pregnancy in every marital act.
How to Turn Your Wife On (A Guide for Husbands)
Struggling to turn your wife on? Most husbands are starting too late and missing what actually builds desire. In this article, we break down how arousal really works and why connection, playfulness, and consistency matter far more than last-minute effort. If you want your wife to respond differently, it starts with changing your approach long before the bedroom.
Why Should You Trust Our Apostolate on Catholic Sexual Ethics?
With conflicting Catholic voices offering competing views on sexual morality within marriage, finding a trustworthy source can be difficult. This article explains how our Apostolate grounds its guidance in Church teaching, rigorous moral theology, and the wisdom of trusted Catholic moralists.
When Trauma Affects Intimacy in Marriage: A Path Forward Together
When intimacy feels tense, painful, or avoided, trauma is often part of the story. Whether from past sexual experiences, medical events, or life stress, trauma can deeply impact both the body and the relationship. The good news is that healing is possible, and couples can rebuild intimacy in a way that feels safe, connected, and even stronger than before. With the right approach and support, you do not have to stay stuck in this cycle.
Can an Orgasm Outside of Sex Be Permitted if the Other Spouse Asks?
Can a Catholic spouse ever permit an unintended orgasm outside of sex when the other spouse asks for sexual affection? This article examines a difficult question in marital chastity, the principle of double effect, and why Catholic moral theology distinguishes between deliberately procuring orgasm and tolerating an unintended one for a proportionately serious reason.
How Often Should Married Couples Have Sex? A Catholic Guide to Frequency, Desire, and Fulfillment
How often should married couples have sex? While there’s no one-size-fits-all answer, most couples who ask this question aren’t having enough. In this article, we cut through the confusion and offer a practical starting point, along with clear guidance for finding the right rhythm in your marriage. If your sex life feels inconsistent or frustrating, this is where to start.
When Sex Hurts: What Married Couples Need to Know
If sex has been painful in your marriage, you’re not alone and you’re not stuck. Painful intercourse is a common issue for many wives, and it often creates a cycle of avoidance and tension that only gets worse over time. The good news is that in most cases, this can be resolved with the right approach. This article outlines why it happens, what not to do, and where to start. If you’re ready to fix it, there is real help available.
The Moral Significance of Aftercare after Sex
Aftercare after sex is more than emotional intimacy; it can carry serious moral weight in marriage. This article explains how tenderness after the marital act helps safeguard spouses from treating one another as mere sources of pleasure, a disposition that can risk grave sin.
What to Do When Sex Feels Like a Chore in Marriage
If sex in your marriage feels like a chore, something is off, and it’s not something you have to accept. In this article, we break down why this happens and how to start changing it right away. You’ll learn why your pleasure, including orgasm, is essential to a healthy sex life and what practical steps you can take to rebuild enjoyment and connection. If you’re tired of going through the motions, this is where things start to change.
Can Catholic Spouses Try Different Sex Positions Other than Missionary?
Few questions about Catholic teaching on marriage are surrounded by as many jokes, rumors, and half-remembered medieval claims as the morality of sexual positions. Is missionary position uniquely “approved,” or can married couples licitly choose other forms of intercourse? This article provides an answer!
Intimacy When Your Wife Has Borderline Personality Disorder
A diagnosis of borderline personality disorder can bring both clarity and new challenges to a marriage, especially in the area of intimacy. Emotional intensity, fear of abandonment, and push–pull dynamics can make closeness feel unstable or confusing. This article helps couples understand these patterns and offers a grounded framework built on safety, stability, and structure. With the right approach and support, healthy and meaningful intimacy is still possible.
How to Initiate Sex in Marriage (Without Rejection or Awkwardness)
Struggling with awkward or rejected attempts to initiate sex? Most couples don’t have a desire problem, they have an initiation problem. This article breaks down the difference between verbal and nonverbal initiation, active and passive consent, and how to align with your spouse to reduce rejection. If you want a more natural and consistent sex life, it starts with how you initiate.