This weekend, February 10th, parishes around the world are celebrating World Marriage Day. World Marriage Day is a day that honors the married couple as heads of the family, the basic unit of society, and salutes the beauty of their faithfulness, sacrifice and joy in daily married life.
The idea of celebrating marriage began in Baton Rouge, La., in 1981, when couples encouraged the Mayor, the Governor and the Bishop to proclaim St. Valentine’s Day as “We Believe in Marriage Day”. The event was so successful, the idea was presented to and was adopted by Worldwide Marriage Encounter’s National Leadership and later received a formal Apostolic Blessing from Pope John Paul II.
The theme for World Marriage Day has been permanently adopted as “Love One Another”. This phrase is the commandment given us by Jesus in John 15:12. It speaks to us in a simple but challenging way of how our Heavenly Father wishes us to live. Loving one another is a daily decision – simple, but challenging.
The World Marriage Day symbol (shown above) speaks to the role and values important within a marriage. Husband and wife are symbolically seen as two candle-like figures, reminding us that married love calls us to help enlighten the world. The couple is joined by a heart, focusing on love as the power that fosters unity within the couple and generates the capacity to be life-giving and inspire others to fruitfulness and unity.
It’s a fact!
- A kiss from your spouse, when leaving the house, makes for a safe and more productive day.
- Hug your spouse often. . . it helps to relieve stress.
- Communicating the positive in your heart will increase the happiness in your life.
- The world’s most expressive four letter word is still “love”.
- Love wasn’t put in you heart to stay. Love isn’t love till you give it away!
There are many ways to celebrate this beautiful day with your spouse:
- Write your spouse a heartfelt love note.
- Give your spouse a hug…and hold it for an extra few seconds.
- Tell your spouse right now “I Love You”.
- Take out your wedding pictures tonight and share a memory with family and friends.
- Show the family movies tonight to celebrate a marriage well done.
- Bring a gift tonight to your spouse.
- Fix his or her favorite meal tonight.
- Share your love for each other with your children tonight.
- Ask your spouse for a date tonight.
- Tell each other how much your marriage means to you.
- Your marriage relationship is the most intimate relationship possible on earth. Be proud of it and the joys and sacrifices that have made it strong.
- Reach out – not long distance – and touch your spouse.
- Share your love story with your children tonight.
- Say a prayer for your marriage together tonight before bed.