Archbishop Hartmayer celebrated Mass at Saint Brigid on Saturday, February 14th, honoring couples in the Archdiocese of Atlanta celebrating the 50th or 60th anniversary of their marriage. More than one hundred couples, along with many with several loving family members, were in attendance. These couples have committed themselves in a sacramental way to the Lord, and to one another. In our Church tradition, a man and woman are not only joined to each other in marriage, they are also joined to Christ. As the sign of God’s presence in the world, Christ is the foundation of their union. The couple then joins Christ as an outward sign of God’s love. They are able to open themselves to each other in love because God has first loved them.
In reflecting on a couple’s love for one another, Catholic author and educator, Matthew Kelly, indicated that in marriage, couples strive to allow themselves to share fully with each other, emotionally, intellectually, physically, and spiritually, within their human limitations. Marriage also requires real openness to give and to receive. This openness requires trust in each other and trust in the Lord. In marriage, couples strive to reflect the total giving of self by Christ on the cross.
Our Holy Father, Pope Leo has a great appreciation for the vocation of marriage. As reported in the media outlet, “Catholic Vote”, he recently stated, “The Church tells us that today’s world needs the marriage covenant in order to know and accept God’s love and to defeat, thanks to its unifying and reconciling power, the forces that break down relationships and societies. For this reason, with a heart filled with gratitude and hope, I would remind all married couples that marriage in not an ideal but the measure of true love between a man and a woman: a love that is total, faithful and fruitful (cf SAINT PAUL VI, Humanae Vitae,). This love makes you one flesh and enables you, in the image of God, to bestow the gift of life.”
The following prayer called “A Prayer for Gratitude and Blessings” from the media outlet “Prayerlit”, thanks God for blessing a 50th Anniversary couple who have shared a life together:
Gracious Father,
we thank You for the abundance of blessings
poured out on this couple throughout their 50 years of marriage.
May their hearts overflow with gratitude for every moment
of love, joy, and even the trials that made them stronger.
Let this anniversary be a testament to Your faithfulness in their lives.
Amen.
As reflect on this prayer, and on the words of Our Holy Father, we are encouraged to give thanks to our anniversary couples for truly embracing the vocation of marriage, and for the profound example of endearing and steadfast love which they have provided for us.