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OUR HISTORY
The ACU Cana Groups originated out of and are a part of the Agrupación Católica Universitaria (ACU).
The ACU has a rich history of forming men - university students, professionals, single men, fathers, husbands, and Priests, all as true sons of God, within a Marian sodality model consecrated to the Virgin Mary, and shaped by Ignatian Spirituality flowing from the foundation of the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius. From the beginning, the vision of forming single, university-aged men quickly evolved more broadly to support its men who were called to the marriage vocation with their marriages and families.
As part of its mission to form men and support their families and apostolate work, the ACU has gained nearly a century of experience in forming and supporting marriages and families. Today, the ACU is more than ever positioned to support marriage and families and is committed in restoring and strengthening marriage and the family. The family is the domestic Church, and it is within our families that we are first called to be missionaries. The ACU Cana Groups started in order to help ACU married couples grow in their sacramental marriages, their relationships with Christ, and in their calling to be missionaries to their families and to the world.
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WHAT IS A CANA GROUP?
A Cana Group is a community of approximately 4-6 couples, who commit to meeting monthly together to grow in marriage and faith, prayer, and sharing in social time. Groups also have the leadership and support of the Spiritual Director of the ACU as our Priest to guide us in our spiritual and sacramental lives.
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WHAT A CANA GROUP DOES
Cana Groups meet once a month to pray together, learn together, and spend social time together. By entering into committed relationships with each other and sharing faith, marriage communities are formed to help each other along the journey of marriage. Cana Groups also get together for family social activities as naturally works best for each group. Activities may include family celebrations, road trips, apostolic activities, retreats, pilgrimages, etc. In essence, a Cana Group serves as an extended family, supporting and accompanying one another on life’s journey.
Our Mission
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We call committed couples into community to share the journey of marriage together so that together we are strengthened and supported, in order to live as beacons of Christ’s joy to the world.
Our Values
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The following marriage guiding principles frame our approach to successful ACU Cana Groups.
STRONGER IN COMMUNITY
The world can be a tough place for a couple that aspires to fully live out the sacrament of marriage. Storms inevitably come to every couple, no matter how strong their love. When we go it alone, it is typically more difficult than when we journey together to share our burdens and our joys.
We can become strength and comfort for each other on the journey. Marriages thrive best when they are supported by a loving community of friends.
GROWING THE DOMESTIC CHURCH
At the core of the Church is the home, a place of peace, refuge, and love. Where two or three are gathered in His name, Christ is truly present. We gather together and open our domestic churches to one another, taking turns inviting couples into our homes to share the experience of hosting Christ.
SIMPLICITY
Gathering as friends should be a joy, not a burden. Daily life is complicated, so gathering with friends shouldn’t be. It should not be overdone or be about the material aspects.
So, just bring yourselves and your rosary, and let the rest take care of itself.
SHARE THE JOURNEY
Our commitment to each other allows us to grow in virtue, deepen the mutual love between spouses, and embrace the cross of our vocation, helping each other carry each others’ crosses.
We share our lives with each other, because we trust that our friends will help us to carry our crosses, lightening our load and celebrating our victories, moving forward in the journey of salvation. Couples benefit from learning from other couples in the group and from couples in other groups in broader ACU gatherings, that share experiences from having traveled the road ahead. Seeing how to live it out from experienced couples is a treasure.
FINE WINE
Like a fine wine that grows richer with age, as couples grow closer together over the years, unbreakable friendships form and no one is left to walk alone. Longer term friendships are better and enduring, with more stories and greater happiness. When we share our lives with other couples through the years, we have a greater joy and richness in our relationships that witnesses to the goodness of God and to his beautiful plan for marriage.
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If these marriage guiding principles speak to you, we encourage you to