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Bishop's Anniversary Blessing 2020 - Holy Hour for Marriage on Sunday, October 25 at 3:00 PM
Holy Hour for Marriage, Sunday, October 25, 2020
All married couples in the Diocese of Trenton are invited to spend one hour in the sacred presence of our Lord, Jesus Christ, the center of Catholic marriage, at this livestreamed event with beautiful music, scripture readings, prayers and petitions to bless and strengthen marriage, and special recognition for those celebrating milestone anniversaries in 2020.
Stay tuned here for the link to this livestreamed event.
Join your host and presider, Fr. Jim Grogan, pastor of Nativity Parish in Fair Haven, along with married couples throughout the diocese for this special event to be held in lieu of the annual Bishop's Anniversary Blessing Mass and Celebration which has been canceled this year due to Covid-19 concerns. This live, virtual event is open to all married couples and their families - advance registration is not required.Save-the-Date for the 2021 Bishop's Anniversary Blessing Events
To ensure that all 2020 anniversary couples are able to receive our bishop's personal blessing for the milestone anniversaries of 1 year, 25 years and 50 or more years, Bishop O'Connell extends his invitation to all couples celebrating their 1st or 2nd, 25th or 26th, or 50th or more anniversary in 2021 to the Bishop's Anniversary Blessing events to be held on Sunday, October 3 for Mercer and Burlington County Parishes, and Sunday, October 10 for Ocean and Monmouth County Parishes. Registration will be available in July 2021.
For First Anniversary Couples... A Web Page Just for You!
For 25th Anniversary Couples... A Web Page Just for You!
For 50th Anniversary Couples... A Web Page Just for You!
Building Strong Marriages in the Diocese of Trenton
The Beauty of Catholic MarriageCatholic Marriage is unique among other marital relationships because it is a sacrament that makes Christ present in our world. The relationship between husband and wife mirrors the relationship of Jesus Christ for his people.
In the Catholic tradition, husband and wife accept a role in God’s plan for humanity. They are ambassadors of God’s love, and they collaborate with God to keep humanity alive. The vows exchanged by the couple are a sacred pact through which the spouses embrace each other, and together embrace Jesus as their partner. Through there union with Christ they participate in the unbreakable pact between God and humanity: the covenant that was sealed in the death and resurrection of Christ.
Here in the Diocese of Trenton we demonstrate our on-going commitment to strong and healthy marriages through our Marriage-Strengthening Initiative.
Benefits of Catholic Marriage
One of the many benefits of a sacramental marriage is the power of God’s grace, which helps couples keep their commitment and find happiness together.
Social scientists are finding that couples who recognize God’s presence in their relationship experience more satisfaction and are more likely to achieve lifelong marriage. All in all, couples who choose Catholic marriage receive many gifts – peace of heart, oneness with the Church, the fullness of the sacraments and God’s special blessing upon their marriage.
You’ll be better prepared for the daily joys and struggles of married life.
Your children will know who they are, where they came from, and why they’re here.
Your friends and family will thank you – no huge expense for a destination wedding.
You’ll be part of the world’s greatest social justice network – 1.2 billion Catholics worldwide
Your wedding ceremony will be beautiful and sacred, rain or shine.
You’ll have an ever-present (24-7) spiritual and social support system from your parish community.
You’ll both take your marriage commitment seriously – the most important job you’ll ever have.
Your love story will take on cosmic meaning – the newest chapter in God’s salvation history.
You’ll be a model for others – people will sense God’s presence in your relationship.
You’ll be true soul mates – “Two Shall Become One.”
“Married love clearly reveals that the vocation of the human person is to love one other person forever and that the trials, sacrifices and crises in the life of the couple or the family are stages for growth in goodness, truth and beauty,” - Pope Francis