Natural Family Planning (NFP) is the general title for the scientific, natural and moral methods of family planning that can help married couples either achieve or postpone pregnancies.
NFP methods are based on the observation of the naturally occurring signs and symptoms of the fertile and infertile phases of a woman’s menstrual cycle. No drugs, devices, or surgical procedures are used to avoid pregnancy.
Since the methods of NFP respect the love-giving (unitive) and life-giving (procreative) nature of the conjugal act, they support God’s design for married love!”
In our diocese, Natural Family Planning and fertility awareness in general are vital tools to help men and women practice good habits that help them acquire the moral virtues necessary for witnessing God’s love in their daily lives. A comprehensive approach to teaching about fertility and sexuality incorporates the beautiful natural law observations that were highlighted by the series of teachings by Pope Saint John Paul II, commonly referred to as the Theology of the Body. NFP education properly begins well before a couple is preparing for marriage. Parents are encouraged to create opportunities for their children to learn and articulate meaning of human sexuality in its proper context. A good place to begin is Pope Paul VI’s encyclical letter Humanae Vitae.
Based on over 50 years of ongoing research, the Billings Ovulation Method was first developed by physicians John and Evelyn Billings in 1964. Signs of fertility observed and recorded. This method is easy to learn and use and is widely available throughout the world.
Nellie Serna
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