Dear Peter, 

How right you are! Marriage is a call from God. Since it is the most common call, we usually reserve 'vocation' for the call to the priesthood and religious life, but the truth is God calls everyone, some to the priesthood and religious life, and most to the married life.

As regards your wish, that everybody called to the married vocation could have 7 or 12 years of preparation, I think you may be missing something. In fact, many young people do receive even longer preparation for marriage in their homes, through the example of their parents. Not only the example of some rare and exceptional, perfect parents who are always on top of the world, but also in the imperfect people that most of us are, who despite their limitations and defects strive to do their best and to love faithfully, striving to be faithful to the love they pledged. As you grow up in your family and discover what married life is, or ought to be, the example of your parents, the 'inside' information on family life we all acquire as we grow up: the interrelationships, the practical matters... Of course, this alone is not enough, and there has to be some more specific preparation, which is often lacking.

Of course, this all doesn't take place in a vacuum. There are many other pressures, understandings of family and relationships that are foisted on us, and which we have to work through. The anti-catechesis that we are subjected by the media and entertainment is powerful, relentless and let's face it, seductive to our nature; paradoxically, the more unreal it is the more persuasive it seems to be.

Like many of the Church's treasures, its teaching on marriage, the theology of the body, the dignity of woman, etc, are lost on today's world. So, coming full circle, I agree that the need you are pointing out is a true one.

I don't know what age you are, but I presume you have discovered that marriage is your vocation. I would encourage you to do something from where you are to solve the problem you point out. Do something to get the young people you know to learn more about the true meaning and beauty (and cost) of the marriage vocation.

God bless.