"Called to the Joy of Love" is the theme for 2022 Natural Family Planning Awareness Week. NFP week is a national campaign through the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) and will be held July 24-30, 2022. This annual awareness week is always celebrated during the week of the anniversary of the papal encyclical Humanae Vitae (July 25). The encyclical articulates Catholic beliefs about human sexuality, conjugal love and responsible parenthood. The dates also mark the feast of Saints Joachim and Anne (July 26), the parents of the Blessed Mother.
July 24, 2022 will also celebrate World Grandparents Day.
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All interested couples/individuals interested in becoming an instructor in any Natural Family Planning Method, pelase contact Kelley Chapman by email kchapman@diolaf.org or by phone 337-261-5653.
Also called fertility awareness, Natural Family Planning (NFP) is a term used to naturally achieve or postpone pregnancy. These methods are based on observation of the naturally occurring signs and symptoms of the fertile and infertile phases of a woman's cycle. No drugs, devices, or surgical procedures are used to postpone pregnancy. NFP reflects the dignity of the woman within the context of marriage and family life, promotes openness to life, and recognizes the value of the child. By respecting the love-giving and life-giving natures of marriage, NFP can enrich the bond between husband and wife.
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! Married couples are able to deepen conjugal love and achieve responsible parenthood which is part of the Church's total pastoral ministry to Catholic spouses. Fulfillment of this ministry includes both education and pastoral care. This means "instilling conviction and offering practical help to those who wish to live out their parenthood in a truly responsible way" (Familiaris consortio, 35).
Please find below a list of methods available to learn; either in person or online. If you are taking a NFP course as part of your marriage prep requirements, please allow three months prior to your wedding date for the course to be completed. See below to learn more about the methods available to learn face to face or online.
If you are interested in becoming a certified instructor for a particular NFP method, please contact the Office of Marriage and Family Life at, 337-261-5653 or email Kelley Chapman.
Ovulation Method (OM)