Message from Bishop Deeley for World Marriage Day

National Marriage Week and World Marriage Day (February 13) are opportunities to remind ourselves of the importance of promoting a culture of love that is rooted in a foundation of marriage and family.

This year’s theme is “Called to the Joy of Love.” The family, husband and father, mother and wife, is the first place in which children learn of love and come to know that God is love. Christian marriage is a gift to be cherished and nurtured and is the heart of community. This celebration of marriage in our society gives opportunity to married people to reflect on how you have grown together with your spouse since your wedding and how best you can continue to grow in love and in honor with each other. It is good to always remember that marriage, and its inherent permanence, is made stronger when it is grounded in prayer, particularly the Eucharist.

We pray for all married couples that they might grow in love with the help of God, and that in the strengthening of their bonds of peace with each other and their children, they may always rejoice in the gift of God’s blessing.