By Rose O’Connor | Correspondent

Hundreds of couples from Monmouth and Ocean counties who are celebrating significant milestones in their marriages gathered in St. Robert Bellarmine Church, Freehold, where Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., celebrated the Mass and gave a special anniversary blessing.


To see photo gallery on the Anniversary Blessing Mass for Monmouth and Ocean County couples, click here.

Surrounded by their family and friends, the couples who were celebrating one, 25, and 50 or more years of marriage, filled the church Oct. 25.

“What a great joy it is for me as your Bishop to be here at St. Robert’s today to celebrate you, to celebrate your married life, to celebrate your commitments, to celebrate your great fidelity and the grace that God has filled your lives with and we as your priests stand here in awe of your commitment as we witness the love you have shared together as husband and wife,” Bishop O’Connell said, at the beginning of Mass.

“As we look back over one year of marriage, 25 years of marriage, 50 years  of marriage or more, our faith has made a difference, has made our married life better, fuller, richer and more satisfying. Through it all our faith has saved us,” he said during his homily for the 30th Sunday in Ordinary Time.

He continued, “Today we celebrate and bless you the married couples of the Diocese of Trenton and we do so, you are the witness of a life well-lived, it is our hope and our prayer for you today that God will continue to pour down happiness and health and blessing for many, many more years.

Following the Liturgy of the Word, Bishop O’Connell asked the couples to stand and face one another and while holding hands they reaffirmed their marriage vows.  The couples also touched each other’s wedding rings, as Bishop O’Connell blessed the rings.

“May these rings continue to be a symbol of their true faith in each other and always remind them of their love,” he prayed.

As they did on their wedding days a year ago, the couples shared a kiss much to the happiness of their family and friends who looked with on with love.

Prior to the Final Blessing, Bishop O’Connell blessed the anniversary couples.  To those who have been married a year he prayed, “Bless these couples and continue to be their strength and the joy as they say yes each day to the vocation of marriage, and may they be a sign of your presence for their family and friends.”

Those who have been married 25 years also received a special blessing by Bishop O’Connell.

“Bless these, your sons and daughters as they celebrate 25 years of marriage; a sign that reflects the union of Christ with his Church.”

The largest group by far, those who have been married 50 years or more also received a special blessing. “They give thanks for their blessings you have given them as they have lived their vocations of love and service to their families, their communities and the Church.

Parish priests from Monmouth and Ocean counties bestowed personal individual blessings on the couples following the Mass.

The couples were more than willing to share the secrets of their success and speak about the role of their Catholic faith in their marriage.

Newlyweds Nola and Philip De Rita of St. Dominic Parish, Brick, reflected on their one year of married life.

 “I think we’ve learned how to pray with each other, how to become more patient and sit down and talk about things, let faith be our guide,” Nola De Rita suggested. “If you make God the center of your life, there is nothing you can’t accomplish.”

“The family is the backbone, it’s just crucial,” Philip DeRita added, and looked at the many examples of successful marriages as true witnesses of Christ’s love. “It’s inspiring and joyous and something we aspire to.”

Although they have only been married for a year, the De Ritas advise young couples to “Be open to the Holy Spirit,” Philip said. “Things change and as long as you are willing to let this Spirit move you it’s all good.”

Married for 65 years, Nina and Fritz Rodgers, parishioners of St. Rose of Lima Parish, Freehold, shared the significance of having a faith-filled marriage. “Our Lord has been there every moment, in hard times, in bad times, in tragedies, it’s everything- our faith,” Nina Rodgers emphatically offered.

Her husband added, “Never go to bed angry, and never stay angry at one another.”

Ann-Marie and David DeStefano, who serve as youth ministers in St. James Parish, Red Bank, concurred.

“A big blessing in our lives is that we minister together, we are catechists together, we are youth ministers together,” Ann- Marie acknowledged. “We served God together and that strengthens our marriage.”

“She took my answer,” David joked, then added in a more serious tone. “Open your heart, let God guide you, he’ll never let you down.”

When speaking about the World Meeting of Families in Philadelphia and the Synod on the Family, Ann-Marie spoke to the importance of the family in the world today.

“The family is the microcosm of the community-at-large, it’s the microcosm of what the kingdom of God is supposed to be.”

While each couples recommended various secrets to marital success, two things were prevalent among their suggestions, keep Christ the center of your marriage and keep a sense of humor.

Al and Marie Petruccio of St. Robert Bellarmine Parish, shared such advice while reflecting on the love and prayerful support they have received from their parish family in good times and bad over the years.

“Always listen your wife,” Al laughed, while his wife of 57 years quickly and happily  added, “and always love your husband.”