Cardinal Tobin Blesses Couples Celebrating 50 Years of Marriage
Newark, NJ – Approximately 125 couples celebrating at least 50 years of marriage were blessed by Cardinal Joseph W. Tobin, C.Ss.R., Archbishop of Newark, at the Archdiocese of Newark’s annual Golden Anniversary Mass on June 2 at the Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart.
Couples from Bergen, Essex, Hudson, and Union counties attended the Mass, where they held each other’s wedding rings as Cardinal Tobin prayed for their love to be sanctified and for them to grow in the grace of matrimony. The Cardinal praised their fidelity, calling them inspirations for all Catholics.
“You jubilarians remind us… of saying ‘yes’ [to Jesus] and finding a way to sustain our love even when the love isn’t always apparent,” Cardinal Tobin said in his homily.
After the Mass, Cardinal Tobin met with each couple to personally congratulate them on their milestone anniversaries. He presented them with gold pins depicting interlocked wedding rings in front of a cross and a certificate acknowledging their 50 years of matrimonial faithfulness.
Marie Johnson of Park Ridge, who attended the Mass with her husband of 50 years, Thomas, said, “We’re grateful to the Archdiocese for recognizing this milestone anniversary and for acknowledging the importance of the sacrament of marriage. The secret to a long marriage is love; patience; understanding; and above all, faith in the Lord.”
The Golden Anniversary Mass was organized by the archdiocesan Office for Family Life Ministry, which supports families through various programs and spiritual initiatives. More information can be found at www.rcan.org/family-life/.
