PRINCIPLES FOR CHRISTIAN
DATING
A Catholic Man's
Perspective
As an Introduction
To my Sons
• This is cutting in to your XBox time !!
But to my daughter …
My Daughter
• You need to experience
my affection
• You should expect to be
treated chastely and
courteously by other
men
• There should be some
discussion/enforcement
of dressing modestly
Stuff as your Dad
• Few relationships are more important than my
role with you
• I am wired to be the Guardian
• My differing role as you grow older
• This is not a directive to find a date
Group Dating versus 1 on 1
• Safety in #’s (Good) vs. Peer Pressure (bad?)
• Non-obtrusive observation
• No commitments
Some Guidelines on Dating
• Before High School
• High School
• After High School
• Who asks who for a date?
• Should you date a Non-Catholic?
• Difficulty in setting ground rules
• What about an in-active Catholic?
• Danger Zones
Spiritual Practices
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Daily mass and Reception of Holy Communion
Monthly or even weekly confession
Daily Rosary
Wearing Brown Scapular and Miraculous Medal
Fasting and Self-Denial (Penance)
Reading Scripture Daily
Praying to know your vocation
– Patron Angel of the Youth: St Raphael the Archangel
What’s too far? (Have I sinned?)
• Directly Stimulating
Actions
• Indirect Actions
– Impure Intent
– Pure Intent
– Near Occasions
of Sin
(or setting
the Stage)
3 Basic things to keep in mind while
Dating
• Never seek out
anything solely for
the pleasure it brings
to us
• Never desire to sin or
lead another into sin
• Realize that your
boyfriend or your
girlfriend is neither a
past-time nor a sport
Last Notes
•
•
•
•
Love at First Sight
Pizza Love
Electronic Media
Savior Complex
That’s it!
For Now …