This special day to salute the beauty of marriage started in Baton Rouge, Louisiana in 1981, and 2 years later 43 Governors officially proclaimed the day and festivities spread throughout the United States. World Marriage Day is designated to be celebrated on the second Sunday of February and continues to grow and extend to more countries every year.
Bulletin Blurb example:
This weekend we celebrate World Marriage Day! Let’s take time to pray for our spouses and each other to lift our marriages. Do something special for each other this weekend to show your gratitude for your spouse and their YES! Your goal in this Vocation of Marriage should be to get your spouse to heaven. Take time to ponder in your heart how you can do that, starting right now. God bless you!
Announcement example:
This weekend we celebrate World Marriage Day! Please pray for the married couples and those in marriage preparation from our parish. Prayer cards will be available at the church entrance. God bless all men and women who said YES to the vocation of marriage!
Liturgy Ideas:
1. Homily related to the sacrament of marriage.
2. General intercessions related to marriage and families.
3 A special blessing of married couples.
4 A unity candle lit and displayed during the mass.
5 Couple married longest in attendance be the couple presenting the gifts.
Setting/Decorations Ideas:
1 Special floral arrangements for the church that might portray a wedding-like
atmosphere.
2. Special decorations or displays in the main entrance or lobby of church.
3. Reserved seating for couples celebrating 25, 30, 40, 50, and 60 years of marriage.
A procession of couples as part of the gathering rite.
4. Download the “Prayer for our Marriage” below from Vocationministry.com, phase III, under Awareness and Education. Print it on card stock and hand out to married couples at the end of Mass