Can Catholics Manscape?
Response to James S.
Dear James,
Thank you so much for your question. Whether or not it is moral to groom downstairs is a new question for me. I would say that the principle of adornment to please one's spouse applies here:
“Nevertheless a woman may use means to please her husband, lest through despising her he fall into adultery. Hence it is written (1 Cor 7:34) that the woman that is married thinketh on the things of the world, how she may please her husband. Wherefore if a married woman adorn herself in order to please her husband she can do this without sin.” - SmTh II-II, Q. 169, a. 2, Resp.
As for the objection, if one says that shaving pubic hair is deceitful or attempting to look like a child, then one would have to say the same thing about a man's face. Yet, many religious orders have at one time or another required that their subjects be clean-shaven.
In Christo Rege,
James
The Christmas season is a time of joy, togetherness, and celebration, but it can also bring stress, packed schedules, and exhaustion. Between shopping, hosting, and navigating extended family dynamics, it’s easy for marital intimacy to take a back seat. However, with intention and grace, this season can become an opportunity to strengthen the bond with your spouse, fostering a deeper connection that carries you into the new year.