Marriage is a pilgrimage; a journey characterized by beginnings and endings as the life cycle of a particular family evolves. This timely and important book addresses how relationships need o be refocused when couples face changes such as the launching of young adult children, job change, the death of a parent or a child, the arrival of a “surprise” child, infidelity, retirement, illness, role change or reversal, and many others. Also addressed is the dissolution of marriage and the establishment of a new relationship through remarriage.

The Family Living in Pastoral Perspective series examines crucial times in family life in light of the family as a social unit. Each book addresses major changes that ordinarily occur in the life cycle of a family. Each volume takes into account family system theory and social and economic factors that affect the family.

Marie McCarthy was formerly Professor of Pastoral Theology at the Catholic Theological Union in Chicago. She now serves as a General Officer of the Sisters of Providence of Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, Indiana.

David Houge is Professor of Pastoral Theology and Counseling at Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary in Evanston, Illinios. His publications include Remembering the Future, Imagining the Past: Story, Ritual, and the Human Brain.

Herbert Anderson is currently Research Professor of Practical Theology at Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary in Berkeley, California. He is the author or coauthor of over ninety articles and thirteen books, many of which are focused on integrating theology and family systems theory.