13 Couples Enter into Holy Matrimony during 45th Mass Wedding at Rosario Cathedral

13 Couples Enter into Holy Matrimony during 45th Mass Wedding at Rosario Cathedral

Mangaluru: The Society of St Vincent De Paul, of Rosario Cathedral, has been venturing this mega project every year with the help of philanthropists and kind-hearted donors from all around, and the objectives of the “Community Celebration of Weddings” was to help young men and women from lesser privileged economic background, to marry with dignity and solemnity at minimal cost. And this year too was no exception, where during the 45th Mass Wedding Ceremony, thirteen couples exchanged their marital vows at Rosario Cathedral on Sunday, May 5, in a simple ceremony, which was performed by Bishop of Mangaluru Diocese, Rev Dr Peter Paul Saldanha, along with Fr Andrew D’Souza, parish priest of St Lawrence Church, Bondel-Mangaluru.

Being the 45th year of celebration of community weddings, till this day over a thousand couples have been united in holy matrimony at Rosario cathedral, and all the credit should go to The Society of St Vincent De Paul, of Rosario Cathedral. The 13 couples who tied their knots today, hailed from the various parts of the Diocese of Mangaluru and other parts of Karnataka. Their joyous wedding celebration was attended by nearly 2000 guests participated in the celebration, which included a wedding ceremony, followed by a sumptuous lunch.

The brides attired in colorful saris and adorned with flowers, and the bridegrooms attired in three-piece suits marched into the Cathedral led by a brass band. “I, ____, take you, ____, to be my wife (or husband), to have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death us do part, according to God’s holy law, and this is my solemn vow “- was the Pledge taken by these thirteen Catholic Couples in the Cathedral on this Day, and the Bishop said aloud “You have declared your consent before the Church. May the Lord in his goodness strengthen your consent and fill you both with his blessings. What God has joined, men must not divide Amen.” And after this pledge, these 13 couples will have to remain united with love as Husband and Wife!

Marriage encompasses a boldness, and this boldness was celebrated on this Day inside the Cathedral, and then followed by a happy celebration at the Rosario High school ground under a decorated pandal. It is the boldness of “saying to the world that it is possible to live faithfully and to hang in there when adversity rears its challenging head, rather than become cynical and throw in the towel. In His homily, the celebrant accented the role married couples fulfill by demonstrating – making clear in a visual way that others can see — what God’s love is. He said, “Our church is so bold that we say to the world: Do you want to know what God’s love is like? Then look at the faithful love of husband and wife.” God “chose to show us what love is — first in his Son’s sacrifice for our salvation, but also in you, in your marriage, in the sacrament, the sign that marriage is to the world,”. Wives and husbands “may not always think of it this way,” he added, but their love “for each other is like the love God has for us: faithful, ever-present, life-giving.”

Reception function was graced by Ivan Fernandes an NRI entrepreneur as the chief guest, joined by parish priest of Rosario Cathedral Fr J B Crasta, among other members of St Vincent De Paul Society. Raising the toast the Chief Guest advised the couples to be faithful and be patient to each other, love each other and remain as husband and wife for the rest of their lives. On behalf of all the couples, one of the couples replied to the Toast. Mrs Mary Pinto of the ‘The Society of St Vincent De Paul’, of Rosario Cathedral, delivered the vote of thanks.

Congratulations and best wishes from Team Mangalorean/Mangalorean.com on this wonderful journey, as you build your new lives together. “May the years ahead be filled with lasting joy, and May the love you share today grow stronger as you grow old together. May today be the beginning of a long, happy life together.”