This year we have had a Mass for Marriage in two parts of the Diocese, during the weekend of the Jubilee of Families, Grandparents and the Elderly – one in Dorchester and one at Plymouth Cathedral. Deborah Van Kroonenberg sent through a report on these lovely celebrations:
“What a joyful Celebratory Mass! …This joy was taken up in our Gospel reading from Luke 1:39-56, as we heard how Elizabeth’s baby left in her womb when he heard the voice of Mary greeting his mother and then listened to Mary’s song of praise: the Magnificat. Deacon Tim took up these themes in his homily, emphasising the role of Mary as the bearer of Good News for all humankind. This precious fruit, the only Son of God and the Son of Mary, was brought up within a human family, with a human mother and (foster) father. And this is his plan for all his people… In this regard, from the opening statements of his pontificate, our Holy Father Pope Leo has shown this commitment to Marriage and Family life, saying that: ‘Harmonious and peaceful civil societies…can be achieved above all by investing in the family, founded upon the stable union between a man and a woman.’”
The Holy Father has also emphasized the family’s role in transmitting faith, declaring that “in the family, faith is handed on together with life, generation after generation. It is shared like food at the family table and like the love in our hearts.”
We look forward to celebrating our fifth Mass for Marriage next year and hope that more married couples and families will join this lovely celebration. Read the full report here