NEWARK, N.J. — More than 200 couples from across North Jersey will be honored Sunday during a special Jubilee Wedding Anniversary Mass at the Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart, recognizing milestone anniversaries of 5, 25 and 50 years of marriage.
The liturgy, led by Cardinal Joseph W. Tobin, C.Ss.R., Archbishop of Newark, will begin at 3 p.m. and marks a change from the Archdiocese of Newark’s usual practice of holding separate Masses for each anniversary milestone. This year, the ceremonies have been combined into one event in honor of the Catholic Church’s ongoing Jubilee Year.
“Maintaining a marriage can be challenging, especially during times of hardship,” said Joanne DePasquale-Parent, director of the archdiocesan Office for Family Life Ministry. “This Wedding Anniversary Jubilee Mass honors couples who have sustained their love by placing God at the center of their marriage and families.”
Couples attending represent parishes from all four counties of the archdiocese: Bergen, Essex, Hudson and Union. They will receive commemorative certificates and a blessing from Cardinal Tobin during the liturgy.
Celebrating the sacrament of marriage
The Mass is part of the Archdiocese’s broader initiative to support family life and highlight the importance of the sacrament of marriage within the Catholic faith. The Office for Family Life Ministry regularly hosts events, retreats, and support programs for engaged and married couples.
Church officials said the combined celebration is also meant to serve as a source of encouragement to couples currently experiencing difficulties in their marriages, reinforcing the message that faith can sustain relationships through life’s challenges.
The Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart, one of the largest Gothic cathedrals in the United States, will host the event at its location on 89 Ridge Street in Newark. The ceremony is open to invited couples and their guests.
