Sights & Sounds: 120 engaged couples blessed by Bishop Chau
The Archdiocese of Newark’s Office for Family Life Ministry honored the sacrament of marriage by celebrating its first-ever Mass for Engaged Couples on Aug. 23 at the Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart in Newark, NJ.
Auxiliary Bishop Pedro Bismarck Chau blessed 120 couples during the bilingual Mass, which was open to all participating in the archdiocese’s marriage preparation program. Everyone also received printed copies of a prayer for engaged couples, a faith resource they were encouraged to rely on in the weeks leading up to their wedding date.
During his homily, Bishop Chau thanked the couples for pursuing a Catholic marriage when many remain unmarried or choose to wed outside the Church. He acknowledged that being married is difficult because it requires husbands and wives to surrender their own desires to put their spouses’ needs first. But that sacrifice is ultimately why marriage is so sacred, the bishop said.
“Marriage reflects the sacrifice that Jesus made for us on the Cross,” said Bishop Chau, who delivered his homily while standing among the couples in the pews. “In marriage, you’re living out God’s greatest demonstration of love for His people. When you exchange your vows, God’s presence is being made real because you’re expressing unconditional love for each other.”
The Mass for Engaged Couples was the latest new initiative from the Office for Family Life Ministry, which also held an inaugural summit for couples in their first five years of marriage earlier this summer.
To view more photos of the Mass for Engaged Couples, CLICK HERE.
Each week, Jersey Catholic features the rich and inspiring “Sights & Sounds” of the Archdiocese of Newark. Visit us regularly to explore our vibrant parishes, sacred artworks, historic landmarks, and the faithful men, women, and youth who bring our Catholic community to life.
You can watch a video with highlights from the Mass below:
Featured image: Couples preparing to receive the sacrament of matrimony gathered at the Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart in Newark, NJ on Aug. 23. The Mass for Engaged Couples was celebrated by Auxiliary Bishop Pedro Bismarck Chau. (Photos by Julio Eduardo Herrera / Archdiocese of Newark)
