Catholic teachings about sexual ethics are powerful, beautiful, and life-changing, deeply rooted as they are in mutual respect and human dignity.
These teachings on marriage and intimacy give Catholic couples an incredible foundation, but sometimes couples need practical guidance for living out these truths in their day-to-day lives.
Sex is not always easy or straightforward, whether you’re a newlywed or have been married for a long time.
The good news? There are some wonderful resources out there to bridge the gap between the richness of Catholic teaching and the joy of marital intimacy.
These 5 resources bring practical, meaningful wisdom and advice for married Catholic couples.
1Lovemaking: How to Talk about Sex with Your Spouse by Renzo and Monica Ortega
This book is a welcome and needed addition to the world of Catholic books, offering a married couple’s honest and sensible perspective on sex:
Sex in marriage can be beautiful — but also new, confusing, awkward, and even frustrating. How do you talk openly about lovemaking without feeling embarrassed? How do you ask for what you need? What if something feels off, or worse — what if it hurts? For many couples, Catholic marriage preparation touches on the basics but leaves them with real, unanswered questions.
Lovemaking: How to Talk about Sex with Your Spouse is the candid, practical guide you’ve been waiting for. Bold, playful, and full of real-talk, Renzo and Monica Ortega— hosts of the Two Become Family podcast — offer couples the tools they need to communicate more openly, connect more deeply, and transform their sexual intimacy.
This isn’t a steamy how-to manual, nor is it a dry theological explanation. It’s an honest, approachable conversation about the realities of marital intimacy, grounded in Catholic faith and real-life experience.
2Cana Feast by Dr. Sarah Bartel
Dr. Sarah Bartel is a Catholic marriage and family writer, speaker, consultant, Ph.D in Catholic moral theology, wife and mom of five. She and her husband, Nathan, share clear, practical ways to improve marriages through their ministry, Cana Feast.
Her flagship offering is My Delight, a 90-day program for Catholic wives to discover more intimacy, joy, and pleasure in sex. But there are many other ways to learn from her.
You can listen to her podcast on Catholic sexuality or follow her on Instagram for ongoing conversations and resources. Or start with this interview on “Unlocking the Secrets to Marital Intimacy”:
3Catholic Intimacy Coaching
A joint project from Mr. and Mrs. James and Megan Walther, Catholic Intimacy offers coaching, courses, articles, and many other resources in a safe space to foster virtuous and fulfilling marital romance and love.
4Guide to All Things Catholic Married Sex Audio Series
Catholic Sprouts put together this helpful series to understand Catholic sexual ethics. The series is designed to answer common questions about Catholic Married Sex.
5Charting Toward Intimacy Podcast
Looking for answers to the questions you don't want to Google? Not sure where to get help when your sexual life is on the rocks and everything the secular culture has to offer is only making things worse? Welcome to Charting Toward Intimacy where couples learn to actually enjoy and desire good, holy sex with their spouses. The host is Ellen Holloway, Catholic Sex and Intimacy Coach.
