by Michael J. McManus

About the author: Michael J. McManus, a nationally syndicated columnist on ethics and religion, is the author of Marriage Savers.

A phenomenally successful movement of "marriage-saving" programs is springing up across the continent, and I know firsthand the difference they can make.

Twenty years ago, a project I was working on required me to commute weekly from Connecticut to Washington, D.C. I would board the train at 2 a.m. on Mondays and try to sleep my way down the tracks. After working all week in Washington, I'd arrive home late Friday night. My wife, Harriet, graciously put up with this for months, and even had candle-lit dinners waiting for me at 11 p.m. each Friday.

About this time, some couples at church encouraged us to "go on Marriage Encounter." My first reaction was defensive: "I've...