February 3, 2012

World Marriage Day Mass set for Feb. 12 at Cathedral

The Diocese of Nashville will once again celebrate World Marriage Day with a special Mass at 2 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 12, at the Cathedral of the Incarnation.

Couples celebrating their 25th or 50th wedding anniversaries during 2012 will receive a special certificate acknowledging their anniversary signed by Bishop David Choby.

The Mass is open to all couples and their families.

Last year, about 150 couples attended, said Tom Samoray, director of vocation awareness for the Diocese of Nashville. Invitations were sent to couples celebrating jubilee anniversaries through their parishes, he said.

World Marriage Day started in 1981 in Baton Rouge, La., and later was adopted by the national leadership of Worldwide Marriage Encounter and has spread across the United States and to several countries around the world. In 1993, Blessed John Paul II imparted his apostolic blessing on World Marriage Day.

The purpose of World Marriage Day is to honor the husband and wife as the head of the family, the basic unit of society, and to salute the beauty of their faithfulness, sacrifice and joy in daily married life.

Following the diocesan Mass, there will be a light reception in the Fleming Center at the Cathedral. Bishop Choby also will pose for group photographs of the 25- and 50-year anniversary couples.