Sometimes you find husbands and wives, who, despite a tragic situation (habitual infidelity, an unlivable character in the espoused, prolonged estrangement) do not give up, do not become bitter, or hardened, who persevere against the wind and the rain to save whatever might be saved. They are disunified in spite of themselves and yet the lack of unity doesn’t break them apart. This is because they have recognized that God is asking them not to abandon their post, even in this impossible situation, and is giving them the grace necessary to carry on; they must believe in the grace of the sacrament.

Father Calmel (1914-1975)
Dominican

“Suddenly, as if emerging from ice and shadow, a man’s silhouette rose before Katrina. She had neither seen nor heard anyone approach, and, she jumped back, terrified. “It’s you, Kati,” said the man. “It is I, Johan. Oh! What a joy that you’ve come.” “Where’s the kid?” “Sleeping.” “How did you know I would come tonight?” “I didn’t know at all. Yesterday, and the day before, I went out looking for you. Time is devilishly slow when you’re all alone at home.” Johan took the sled and dragged it with one strong hand across the snow. Katrina put her hand in a pocket of the man’s jacket to have something to hold onto on the dangerous road. The arrival of her husband filled her with happiness. The world was less somber than before, because he was thinking of her, and he regretted his absence, he thirsted for her presence. Thus Johan joined her search, on the ice, night after night… She felt ashamed when she thought of how little she thought of him when he was absent. They advanced in silence, and Katrina recalled Capitain Ekvall, the money-box, the solitary childhood of Johan. A warm maternal tenderness had taken the place of the love that had been killed by disappointment, and this tenderness made her forget the man’s negligence, and made her indulgent towards his frailty.”

Sally Salminen (1906-1976)
Author of Katrina (a Swedish novel)