Marriage and Co-Creation Conference Inspires Students to Reflect on the Vocation of Marriage

On October 27, 2026, students gathered for the Marriage and Co-Creation Conference, a day of prayer, reflection, discussion, and fellowship focused on Christian marriage. Through presentations and small-group activities, participants explored marriage as a vocation and considered its place in the life of the Church and society.

Bishop David Motiuk opened the conference with prayer, inviting students to be attentive to God’s guidance as they reflected on one of the central vocations in Christian life.

Exploring what marriage means

The first activity invited students to consider marriage from three perspectives: how society understands it, what the Church teaches about it, and what marriage means to each person. In small groups, students wrote their thoughts on coloured paper hearts and shared them. The exercise brought out both shared ideas and different viewpoints, while creating a welcoming space for honest conversation and respectful listening.

Bishop David then presented “Vocation: A Calling to Married Life.” He spoke about marriage as a sacred vocation rooted in God’s plan of creation and as a path to holiness within the Church. To help students reflect on this vocation, he explained two icons: The Hospitality of Abraham and The Wedding at Cana of Galilee.

Learning from Amoris Laetitia

A central part of the conference focused on Pope Francis’ apostolic exhortation Amoris Laetitia (The Joy of Love). Students met in English- and Ukrainian-speaking groups to discuss selected passages from Chapters 3 and 4, reflecting on the beauty and value of family life, the mystery of marriage, and the qualities of authentic marital love.

Group leaders helped explain unfamiliar terms and invited each participant to contribute. At the end of the discussion, each group shared its key insights with everyone, opening the way for a wider conversation. Fr. Julian Bilyj then offered a summary of the selected chapters, highlighting Pope Francis’ call to accompany families with mercy, patience, and hope while strengthening marriage as a lifelong vocation. Students asked questions and discussed how these teachings can guide family life today.

What helps a marriage flourish?

In the final group activity, students considered which three elements are most important for a successful marriage. They named many valuable qualities, including communication, trust, forgiveness, prayer, respect, sacrifice, faithfulness, friendship, and love. Each group chose three and explained its choices to the other participants. The conversation invited students to think carefully about the foundations of a lasting Christian marriage.

Fr. Slavko closed the conference by encouraging students to continue reflecting on God’s plan for their lives and to support families through prayer and Christian witness. The gathering concluded with a Prayer for a Loved One, entrusting families, married couples, and all discerning their vocation to God’s loving care.

A day of formation and fellowship

Students took part throughout the day with openness and enthusiasm. Their thoughtful questions and conversations reflected a growing appreciation for marriage as a vocation and for the role of family life in the Church and society. The mix of prayer, presentations, group discussion, and personal reflection created a welcoming setting for learning and fellowship.

The Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy of Edmonton is grateful to Bishop David Motiuk, Fr. Julian Bilyj, Fr. Slavko, Olena Hartsula, the presenters, group leaders, and everyone who helped organize the conference. Their service and witness made this day of formation possible. May what students explored together continue to bear fruit in their lives and in the families they support.