Cana is Forever: Counsels for Before and After Marriage -- A Catholic Guide to Dating, Courtship, and Marriage

by Charles Hugo Doyle

Published: Image Books, a Division of Doubleday A Catholic Guide for Dating, Courtship and Marriage

Genres: Marriage, Nonfiction

233 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 1949

Reviews

[Maria Schmidt · Rating 5 out of 5]

I picked this book off the shelf just to skim the first few pages, but it was so interesting I just had to keep reading! Rev. Doyle has an engaging writing style, a witty humor, and great advice for young people. I learned so much from reading this book. Here are some of my favorite quotes:

"Strange as it may seem, falling in love means searching for and finding in another, the partner who will make it easier for you to fulfill your destiny and realize God's plan for yourself" (8).
"Romantic love is such a subtle thing that human intelligence must be aided by divine grace to be able to discern the true from the false" (14).
"To create love we must begin by sacrifice" (16).
"A good sport will take pride in succeeding in every adventure, and marriage is one of life's chief adventures" (21).
"The purpose of the honeymoon is to provide the couple with the chance to start making new and more intimate adjustments between each other before they are required to adjust to their relatives and friends" (111).
"Finding the right mate is not the most important thing in making a success of matrimony. What is more important is being the right mate" (115).

[Veronica · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is a 1949 edition my husband bought me before we married (because I asked). It has as list of good qualities to look for in a spouse, such as industry, good manners, consideration of others, sincerity, personality, tactfulness. Later, it goes into how these qualities help.

Lots of great quotes, like "Never use the word
'Mine' where the word 'ours' will fit."

I was surprised that it took effort to become a 'Mrs.' Yet I look back and realize one needs a new outlook which takes effort to develop. Been working on it via reading and implementation...

[Paul Robinson · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a very readable book and I would definitely recommend it for couples, both before and after marriage. Just be aware that it is very much of its times, the late 1940s.
Fr. Doyle gives too much, I think, to the medical and psychological science of the times, and sometimes comes across as a little Americanist. He has a very direct style and is sarcastic at times, making the book entertaining. But he also can be a bit harsh.

[Ignasius Wahyudi · Rating 5 out of 5]

suprisingly this old book still related in current world.
it's a good book to read.

[Jessica Norton · Rating 1 out of 5]

dated