Anniversary Blessings
Rooted in Faith
Anniversary couples reflect on years of faith, hope and love together BY ROSE O’CONNOR Associate Editor and BRIANNA PALMER Correspondent
T
hey all shared different stories. They all came from different towns and parishes from around the Diocese. They were all married in different times and places. Yet, the more than 300 married couples who attended the Bishop’s Anniversary Blessing Masses on Oct. 3, in St. Mary of the Assumption Cathedral, Trenton, or Oct. 10 in St. Robert Bellarmine Co-Cathedral, Freehold, shared a common sentiment when answering the question, “What is the secret to having a successful marriage?” The answer, it turns out, is not much of a secret. It is their
love of God, their faith and one another. “You are marriage’s success stories,” Bishop David M. O’Connell said in his homily at both Masses. The first Mass was for couples in Burlington and Mercer Counties celebrating one, 25, 50 or more years of marriage this year, and the second Mass was for couples in Monmouth and Ocean Counties. Since last year’s Anniversary Blessing Masses were cancelled due to the Continued on 36
A couple celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary renew their wedding vows in St. Robert Bellarmine Co-Cathedral, Freehold. Jeff Bruno photo
November 2021 THE MONITOR MAGAZINE 35