'I believe in love, Alfie'

By Jim Davis - Florida Catholic

MIAMI | More than 200 people made Isabella Sanchez cry.

They did it when they turned to each other and renewed their wedding vows — some after several decades of marriage — then kissed.

"It was so sweet," said the 14-year-old Sanchez, a member of a high school choir that sang for the archdiocese's annual wedding anniversary Mass. "They’ve been together so long, and you could see how much they loved each other."

Archbishop Thomas Wenski likewise praised the 130 couples who attended St. Mary Cathedral with their families for the annual Mass Feb. 11.

"We thank you for your witness —a witness that so much needed in our world today," Archbishop Wenski said during his homily. "In these couples, we see the beauty of marriage, the depth and beauty of love brought to full maturity, a mature love that knows true freedom because it is committed."

Several decades were represented among the anniversary couples, according to the archdiocesan Office of Marriage and Family Life. They included 21 golden (50th) anniversaries, seven from 62 to 67 years, and one celebrating their 70th anniversary. At the other end of the scale were 38 silver anniversaries and six couples in their first year of marriage.

Providing music at the Mass was a choir from Carrollton School of the Sacred Heart, Miami.  Besides liturgical pieces, the black-gowned choristers sang specials like "Ave Maria" by Giulio Caccini and "How Beautiful" by Twila Paris. As the recessional hymn, they sang "They’ll Know We Are Christians" to the traditional St. Brendan tune.

The renewal of vows also affected Isabella Sanchez's fellow singer Gabriela Carratala, 16. "It was an inspiration," she said. "In the world today, with so much confusion, it brings hope to me."

Among those observing anniversaries at the Mass were Anna and Nicholas Salce, who brought the gifts to the altar. The two are members of Our Lady of the Holy Rosary-St. Richard Church in Leisure City.

'There's nothing better'

"It was a moving, beautiful experience," said Anna Salce, celebrating her 67th wedding anniversary. "Marriage is not easy; there are hardships to overcome. But if you love each other, and you're willing to overcome problems, you'll get over it. Sometimes you feel, my goodness — there's nothing better than marriage."

In his homily, Archbishop Wenski drew laughs as he cited his source material: "What's it all about, Alfie?" — the first line of the 1967 hit song.

He applauded the couples for meeting the many challenges, and enduring suffering and sacrifice, in upholding marriages and raising families.

"Sometimes, we priests think that because we are celibate, we make a big sacrifice," the archbishop said. "But we can learn much from married people, precisely because of your sacrifices.

"We need to learn that it is beautiful to mature through sacrifices, and thus to work for the salvation of others. And that is precisely why marriage is a sacrament — an encounter with Christ that gives grace that leads to salvation not only for oneself but for others … the children, the sons and daughters, but also the entire community."

Then he had the couples face each other and answer his questions: "Do you renew your promise to be true to your spouse in good times and in bad, in sickness and in health? Do you renew your promise to honor and love your spouse all the days of your life?"

The vows ended, he added: "Husbands, I invite you to kiss your brides."

Liz Green, of St. Louis Church, Pinecrest, agreed that marriage can involve sacrifice and suffering. But so do other walks of life, she said.

Worth the sacrifices

"But you don’t look at it that way when you're in a committed relationship, because you do it out of love," said Green, who was celebrating her 25th anniversary with her husband, Chris. "We've learned it's work. It's not all sweetness and flowers. But it's worth it. I wouldn't look back and change a single thing."

After the Mass, the couples mixed in St. Mary's parish hall over cake. They also posed with Archbishop Wenski for photos and received certificates of their renewal of vows.

"I thank God that he let us reach this anniversary," said Rolando Checo of St. Mary, celebrating his 50th. "A lot of people we know died or divorced."

His wife, Carmen, said they succeeded by following in their parents' footsteps. "I grew up with a father and mother. And our household was the same for our two children."

Echoing the sentiments were Juan and Teresa DeJesus Galvez, members of St. James Church in North Miami, likewise at the half-century mark.

"This (Mass) means a lot to us," Juan DeJesus Galvez said. "Marriage is becoming a forgotten thing. It's a blessing to reach this milestone."

It was also a lesson for Luis, one of their three sons, who has been married for 15 years. "I'm proud of my parents for their example of a long marriage," he said. "It's something for me to look forward to."

Regina Jollivette Frazier of St. Rose of Lima, Miami Shores, shared a few rules that helped her reach her 50th wedding anniversary with her husband, Ronald.

"Before we got married, I told him, 'If you can't stay for the duration, don’t bother,'" she said. "Two, don’t go to bed angry; fuss it out and move on. Three, make time for the children, time for ourselves, and time for us as a couple."

The lessons were simpler for Natividad Rodriguez of Little Flower parish, Hollywood, celebrating her 55th anniversary with husband Luis: "Try to understand and be patient. Be happy. Do a thing together if you like it."

"Everything was beautiful tonight," she added. "We're proud to be together."