The Prayer Before Making Love implores God "to place within us love that truly gives, tenderness that truly unites, self-offering that tells the truth and does not deceive, forgiveness that truly receives, loving physical union that welcomes".
It adds: "Open our hearts to you, to each other and to the goodness of your will".
It is important for the Church to affirm the value of marriage and family life and I suppose this is a particular way of doing that.
“Perhaps it is something that has not been tried, certainly for a while – I can't remember seeing something like that before.”
The prayer
Father in Heaven, send your Holy Spirit into our hearts. Place within us love that truly gives, tenderness that truly unites, self-offering that tells the truth and does not deceive, forgiveness that truly receives, loving physical union that welcomes. Open our hearts to you, to each other and to the goodness of your will.
Cover our poverty in the richness of your mercy and forgiveness. Clothe us in our true dignity and take to yourself our shared aspirations, for your glory, for ever and ever. Mary, our Mother, intercede for us. Amen.