According to Catholic Tradition, did Tobias and Sarah consummate their marriage on their wedding night or just pray together?
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I was listening to a recent podcast on Relevant Radio where the host said there's a tradition in the Catholic Church of not "engaging in the conjugal act" on couples wedding night and that this had something to do with the Book of Tobit. In Tobit, Tobit's son Tobias and his new wife Sarah prayed and burned fish guts to expel a demon who killed all of Sarah's other husbands on their wedding night.
I guess I was under the impression that they also consummated their marriage later that night, but is the interpretation that they did wait? And is it an OK thing to wait, even after marriage? I was under the impression that making love was tied up in the sacrament in some way.
In any event, I'm glad I didn't learn about this 17 years ago, but is it:
1. OK to wait till later? (how long is average)?
2. An actual tradition in the Catholic Church?
3. A correct interpretation of Tobit?
I'd ask 3 different questions, but I think the answers might short circuit each other.
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/tobit/8
Asked by Peter Turner
(34456 rep)
May 13, 2022, 03:21 PM
Last activity: May 17, 2022, 01:59 PM
Last activity: May 17, 2022, 01:59 PM