his problem often arises: If a man and a woman live together without being legitimately joined, not to have children but because they could not observe continence; and if they have agreed between themselves to have relations with no one else, can this be called a marriage?

Perhaps, but only if they have resolved to maintain until death the good faith that they had promised to themselves, even though this union did not rest on a desire to have children.

Prayer. Lord, you change your works, but your design is always the same.

From John E. Rotelle, O.S.A., Augustine Day by Day: Minute Meditations for Every Day Taken from the Writings of Saint Augustine. Catholic Book Publishing Co. New York, 1986.

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