This is a provocative story of a priest and a widow who intellectually entered a celibate relationship and discovered the power of love.

They were two well-meaning individuals who were in ministry most of their adult life. Mike had gone through years of training to be ordained and served as a priest and science teacher for twenty-one years. Jean was a catechist from high school age until in her thirties. She was a leader with her first husband in a marriage enrichment movement, Marriage Encounter, for several years and formed a support group for widows after her husband passed away.

Most couples publishing a book about their relationship omit the intimate details, but Jean and Mike purposely included them. They want to share Mike's struggle to adhere to his vow of celibacy. His first sexual experience occurred shortly after ordination. Once he had that experience, he did not want to give up the sexual connection with a woman. Nor did he want to face the shame of leaving the priesthood.

In retrospect, Jean and Mike have concluded that permanent vowed celibacy goes against our basic sexual needs and is therefore antilife. They see a value to celibacy, but a more judicious approach would be a limited commitment like a person who enlists in the military service. They are not promoting promiscuity, but they discovered there is tremendous value in the practice of discerning rules and giving merit to one's judgment. Because of their lived experience, Jean and Mike believe that the ultimate law is the law of love.

This book is their legacy. They want it known that what they gave up - the status and acceptance of family and faith community to be together -- was more than worth the sacrifice. They want to proclaim the priceless treasure they received because they dared to follow their hearts.