Hi I’m Alvaro, a 31-year-old single man from Mexico who moved to Norway in 2021. Ever since I arrived, I’ve been navigating a new culture, new weather, and a different way of life. Little by little, I’ve been piecing my life together, and since my faith plays such a big role in everything I do, thinking about marriage just felt like the natural next step in the journey.
If one takes just a couple of extra seconds contemplating Catholic marriage, you may remember that the “forever” promise of marriage is a sacrament, a lifelong grace‑filled mission of mutual holiness. As serious as it sounds (because it is) discernment is to my mind a necessary “compatibility check” between my heart’s desires and God’s plan.
14th till 16th of March, I attended a retreat specifically designed for people wanting to discern their vocation for marriage (yay!). It was a great opportunity to step away from my daily routine and busy weekends to immerse myself in prayer, reflection and to contemplate on a question that I have asked myself, “Is this truly what God is inviting me into?”.
Meeting others who were also questioning their path made me realize I’m not the only one wanting to make sure I am following my vocation. I had the pleasure of sharing a room with 4 other gentlemen who were different from me but whose personality created a welcoming atmosphere (I would like to meet them again at some point!). I loved hanging out with other Catholic women who were on the same discernment journey, it was a pleasure to meet them all. Getting to know everyone while the retreat crew kept us moving was so much fun! We went hiking, prayed the rosary, did a peculiar round of Catholic speed‑dating, some couple‑building challenges and nailed a Scottish folk dance (maybe Welsh…I’m sorry Stephen!). Honestly, the weekend had everything (even the food was great!).
One of the biggest “wow” moments to me was how everyone who gave a talk, Father Florian, Bishop Erik and the debate panel guests all stressed that marriage is about more than just finding someone, it’s about discovering your best friend, someone you can walk with in faith. And I know it sounds like an obvious thing but ask yourself “If I had to live in the middle of the forest with my children, would I be able to look at my spouse and not change a thing?”
Now, I realized I’d been caught up in social pressure, FOMO (Fear Of Missing Out) maybe, feeling like I should rush into dating just because everyone around me seemed to be settling down. Patience is a virtue for a reason and rushing only leads to confusion and anxiety which can lead to bad decisions.
By the time the retreat ended, I felt better about a couple of things: 1) I don’t have every aspect of my life perfectly planned out, and that’s okay. My job is to stay open, keep praying, and trust in God’s plan. 2) I believe if marriage is indeed the path for me, God will bring the right person at the right moment. Until then, I’ll focus on growing closer to Him, confident that patience and faith will lead me to my true best friend 😊
I would take the opportunity to thank NUK and particularly Marion, my life hasn’t been easy and she has been a good friend to me 🙂 (and as the organizer of the event she did great!)
