More than 200 married couples
attended Mass and a candlelit supper for the diocese’s celebration of World
Marriage Sunday Feb. 9 at St. Thomas a Becket Church in Reston.
Representing Bishop Michael F. Burbidge
was Father Thomas P. Ferguson, vicar general and moderator of the curia, who
said events honoring marriage are key to encouraging married couples and
bearing witness to marriage as a sacred vocation.
“We’re living in a time when fewer
people than ever are getting married, and people are trying to change the
definition of marriage,” Father Ferguson said. “These couples are witnesses
that marriage is a beautiful commitment between a man and a woman.”
A special “Prayer in Defense of
Marriage” was part of the liturgy, which was followed by a festive meal for
couples and their families, donated and prepared by the ministry Families in
Christ Jesus. Coordinators from the diocesan Office of Marriage, Family and
Respect Life were on hand to help during dinner and to socialize with the
couples.
“We are indebted to the couples
who faithfully live their vows and inspire others to do the same,” said Therese
Bermpohl, director of the Office of Marriage, Family and Respect Life. “Marriage
is the cornerstone of the family. As vicar general, Father Ferguson said during
his World Marriage Sunday homily, ‘When we think of the vocation of marriage,
we are moved by awe, reverence and gratitude. You are a visible and living sign
of Christ’s presence among us.”
World Marriage Sunday began in
Louisiana in the 1980s and is observed annually on the second Sunday of
February to coincide with St. Valentine’s Day. It was adopted by Worldwide
Marriage Encounter (WWME) and was approved by Pope John Paul II in 1993. Since
then, its popularity has spread.
“It is not an official liturgical
feast, but it is an informal opportunity for dioceses and parishes to lift up
the married couples of their areas and thank them,” said Alex Wolfe, diocesan
program specialist for Marriage Preparation and Enrichment.
Lito Urgino, a founding member of
Families in Christ Jesus, gave a moving address describing challenges he faced
during his 63-year marriage — in particular, he testified how his faith in God
played a central role in helping his children successfully overcome drug
addictions. Urgino stressed the important role fathers have in leading their
families by example.
As the evening came to a close, Bermpohl
expressed her gratitude to the attendees for living their vocation to married
life.
“Thank you for your witness to
marriage,” she said. “We need it.”
Fletcher can be reached at [email protected]
or @zbfletcherACH.
