It’s no secret that one of the greatest challenges to contemporary life centers on marriage.

Pope Francis commented on the challenges of marriage last week when speaking to visiting Polish bishops. He noted that the family should be the fundamental cell of society where we learn to live together through our differences, to belong to each other and where the faith is transmitted from parents to children.

Instead, Pope Francis decried, the modern secular vision of marriage is an arrangement for affective gratification that can be established or modified as anyone or as individuals may desire. In short, marriage is increasingly being promoted as being separate both from God and from the realities of nature that are foundational for human existence.

With such pressures, it is not a surprise that the number of marriages that end in divorce is so high. According to 2012 government figures, nearly 50 percent of first marriages in the United States end in divorce.

Such a statistic is not only tragic in its implications for society, but as a Church, we cannot be surprised that many marriages involving Catholics also end in divorce. In fact, Pope Francis has, on several occasions, highlighted the need for greater care and outreach to those whose marriages have ended in divorce.

We need to base that care and outreach on several important points.

First, divorce does not separate one from the love of God or the Church. The Church, and we as faithful members, do not abandon, shun or reject those who have experienced the tragedy of divorce.

Second, divorce can have many reasons and motivations. Of course there are cases of couples who were cavalier about entering into marriage and living their vows. But don’t we all know family members or friends or neighbors who struggled mightily to keep their marriages together, only to see that effort fail? Don’t we also know many single parents, fathers and mothers, who have sacrificed greatly to live the faith of the Church and to teach their children to live and love their Catholic faith?

By Christ’s action, the human reality of natural marriage was raised to being a sacrament when entered into by those who are baptized. And he told us that we must not divide what God has joined.

For this reason, the Church has a role to play in the marriage of the faithful. As with all sacraments, the Church’s love for the faithful means that we come to the Church for marriage and the Church oversees how marriage is celebrated.

Given the challenges to marriage in our day, reflection, prayer and preparation of a couple for marriage are more important than ever. Likewise, on-going gatherings and opportunities for married couples to renew and deepen their commitment to their spouse and to their marriage vows take on a greater importance. So does the faithful example of every married couple as an encouragement to others.

Finally, faithful to Christ’s instruction, it is the Church’s understanding that a truly valid marriage can never later become invalid. However, sometimes, as part of pastoral care, the Church finds that marriages were not entered into with a full understanding and appreciation of its conditions and nature. In such cases, an annulment can be granted. One consequence is that the parties who receive an annulment are free to enter into marriage.

What all of this comes down to is this: all couples need to live the sacrament of marriage authentically and joyfully before the Church and before the world. If, however, your marriage has ended in divorce, stay close to the Church. Come to Mass. As a Church we need to be close to you as well.

But do make a point to speak to your parish priest or call the Tribunal Office at the Chancery. If an annulment can be granted, it often is a spiritual consolation to the parties involved.

Of course family life and marriage can be challenging. But grace and Christ’s teaching shows how important a part of God’s plan marriage is.