Florida Catholic | Celebrate Marriage During ‘Wedding Anniversary Mass’

Celebrate marriage during ‘Wedding Anniversary Mass’

A special Mass for married couples will be celebrated during the Diocese of Orlando’s Festival of Faith May 10.

HEIDI PECKHAM | SPECIAL TO THE FLORIDA CATHOLIC

Published: 04.25.08

Festival of Faith Event

• WHAT •
“Wedding Anniversary Mass” at the Festival of Faith, celebrated by Bishop Thomas Wenski

• WHEN •
Saturday, May 10, 1 p.m.

• WHERE •
Orange County Convention Center, South Concourse, 9899 International Drive, Orlando, South Hall A-1

• PARKING •
Daily rate of $6

• RECEPTION •
Cake-and-punch reception
to follow Mass

• R.S.V.P. •
407-246-7196

ORLANDO | David and I will celebrate 40 years of marriage in June. A 25th anniversary is called “silver” and a 50th “golden,” but the 40th is a “ruby” anniversary. This is appropriate. After 40 years together, your relationship is red, it flows through your veins and it sparkles. The kids are grown and on their own; this is our time to celebrate each other and our marriage.

David and I both believe strongly in sacraments. We believe in outward signs reflecting inward realities and we are Christ-centered. We believe that the sacramental grace of matrimony is what gives a husband the strength to carry on when he may not feel like it; it gives a wife the strength to laugh when she may feel like crying; and it gives both the strength to forgive or seek forgiveness one more time.

When giving advice to engaged couples, we always tell them that their commitment to the commitment must be stronger than their commitment to each other! They have to stop and think about this statement. We go on to say, “You are bound to disappoint one another, as no one can live up to the expectations we put on one another today. But, if you are committed to the commitment, you carry on and work it out.”

Knowing that marriage is our vocation, our path to God, gives us the courage to keep working at our marriage. Those vows you take on your wedding day certainly look and feel differently after 40 years. Those “times of sickness” put life into perspective and lessen the irritations of minor offenses. The “times of riches” are not measured in money. And “till death do you part” calls us to a new awareness of the value of life. Renewing those vows, like we do at the anniversary Mass, makes us stop and think and appreciate what we have together. It gives us time to pause and say, “Thank you” to each other for each other. And to say, “Thank you” to our God for the blessings and graces of the sacrament of marriage.

Peckham, diocesan secretary for pastoral ministries, is a licensed mental health counselor.

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