February 11, 2007

    This weekend we celebrate a very important institution in our church and in our world, i.e., World Marriage Day.  The day has not been in existence for very long but its short history has proven to be very life giving for the many thousands of couples who live the life of marriage throughout their lives.

    World Marriage Day began in 1981 under the name of “We Believe in Marriage Day”.  It began in Baton rouge, La. when couples encouraged the major, the governor and the Bishop of that diocese to proclaim St. Valentine’s Day as “We Believe in Marriage Day”.  In the short period of time since then, the day has become nationally and internationally known and celebrated.  The name changed to World Marriage Day in 1983 when it was designated to be celebrated each year on the second Sunday of February, ( the Sunday closest to Valentine’s Day?).  In 1993, Pope John Paul II imparted his Apostolic Blessings on the Day.  Since that time the celebration has spread to more countries and faith expressions each year.

    The event was adopted by the Worldwide Marriage Encounter’s national leadership early in its inception.  The leadership chose a symbol that is easily recognized by all who are familiar with the celebration.  In the symbol, husband and wife are symbolically seen as two candle-like figures, reminding us that married love calls us to help enlighten the world.  The couple is joined by a heart, focusing on love as the power that fosters unity within the couple and generates that capacity to be life-giving and inspire others to fruitfulness and unity.

    The theme of this day is permanent.  It is always “Love One Another”.  This phrase is the commandment given to us by Jesus in John 14. It speaks to us in a simple but challenging way of how our Father wishes us to live.  Loving one another is a daily decision - simple, but challenging.                       (Excerpts taken from WMD website in above 3 paragraphs )

    Our society does not always honor the bond of marriage as it should.  Our cultural habits, as especially exhibited on television or in the movies, tell us a great deal about the way people see marriage.  As Christians we need to develop our awareness of where we are heading with respect to love, marriage, commitment, family values and the like.  It is to our advantage to take inventory of where we stand with respect to our future in this regard.

    The feast of St. Valentine is coming up on Wednesday.  Perhaps it would be a great time to have your own personal celebration at home with your spouse.  You can go out and celebrate alone or do something as a family.  The emphasis should be on the married couple, however, not on the young children.  They are only there to celebrate, not to be the center of attention.  This is an excellent way to teach your children about the importance of marriage.  The love between their mother and father should be visible to them.  Be creative and enjoy yourself all while honoring the day as one centered on love.        LOVE ONE ANOTHER. . .

                        Lorette P. Nault