Thirteen couples have begun their New Year striding into a new beginning in their relationships and in their journey in faith.
On Saturday, December 30th, on the eve of the Feast of the Holy Family, His Excellency Ryan P. Jimenez, DD officiated the wedding of the couples at Mt. Carmel Cathedral. “For me, this event is definitely one of the top ten events of the year”, says Bishop Ryan, overjoyed by the presence of the couples dressed for the occasion and surrounded by their respective families and friends.
It was a simple yet solemn and dignified wedding celebration. Without any entourage, each couple walked the isle towards the sanctuary followed by the clergy and the bishop.
The group wedding was organized by the Diocesan Commission on Marriage and Family Life. On July of last year, Bishop Ryan met with the commission and expressed his desire to have an annual group wedding in the diocese. The main objective of this endeavor is to encourage couples who have been living together to receive the Sacrament of Matrimony. The commission also wished to break the common misconception among the faithful nowadays that Catholic Wedding means ‘big expense’.
In his address to engaged couples on February 14, 2014, Pope Francis himself underlines the centrality of the sacrament more than all the other elements commonly associated with Catholic Wedding. “It is good that your wedding be simple and make what is truly important stands out. Some are more concerned with the exterior details, with the banquet, the photographs, the clothes, the flowers…These are important for a celebration, but only if they point to the real reason for your joy: the Lord’s blessing on your love.”
For the past two months, member of the commission has been working closely with the couples who signed up for the group wedding, assisting them in preparing the necessary documents and facilitating the group sessions to better dispose and prepare them in their reception of the sacrament.
In previous years, the diocese has organized group weddings, the last was about three years ago. This group is so far the largest group and the diocese expects the number to rise as we make this an annual event.
The commission will soon make announcements on the opening of the new registration for the group wedding for 2018. A separate event on the renewal of marriage vows for any couples interested will be announced as well in the coming months.
