Love and faith celebrated at annual Marriage Anniversaries Mass

More than 250 couples gathered on Sunday 1 June at St Patrick’s Cathedral for the annual Marriage Anniversaries Mass—one of the largest turnouts in the event’s history. With the Cathedral filled to capacity, couples were joined by family and friends in a joyful celebration of love and commitment.

Celebrated by Archbishop Peter A Comensoli, the Mass coincided with the global Jubilee of Families, Children, Grandparents and the Elderly, part of the ongoing Jubilee calendar. Couples marked anniversaries ranging from five years to an extraordinary 70 years of marriage and, during the liturgy, renewed their vows to each other, receiving a blessing from the Archbishop.

The most represented milestone was those marking 40–49 years together, while the most remarkable was a group of three couples celebrating 70 years together.

Among them were Wilma and Francis, who reflected on the significance of the occasion.

‘It was beautifully done ... a memorable occasion,’ said Francis. ‘It was unbelievable,’ added Wilma.

Married in 1955, the couple went on to have four children and are now proud great-grandparents to 12. Their bond remains strong after seven decades. The two are best friends who ‘go back a long way!’ said Wilma.

They are the best of friends.

When asked what has sustained them over the years, Francis said simply, ’Our faith.’

Their family joined them at the Mass to celebrate the milestone.

‘They are the best of friends,’ said their daughter Clare, describing her parents as selfless, humble people. ‘I’ve learnt a lot from them, most of all that people matter and to put others first.’

John and Judy Osborne also marked their 70th anniversary at the weekend and said they too have been sustained by their faith and love for each other.

‘We met in Glen Iris as school children coming home from Mass. We were roughly around 10–12 years old,’ they said.

Reflecting on what began as ‘love and passion’ and developed into ‘a closeness and a togetherness’, Judy said that ‘Over the years, trust was built and the understanding that we had each other’s back through the good and bad times.’

We always relied on God’s grace—from long-distance relationship moments to visa challenges, career issues and even now as we raise our two young, rowdy but lovely boys.

Also celebrating on Sunday were Kemp and Kathy Vinson, who marked 10 years of marriage. Their story began in primary school and blossomed into a deep friendship.

‘We were each other’s prom dates,’ recalled Kemp. ‘Ten years later, we got married.’

Their relationship has been shaped by faith and resilience.

‘We always relied on God’s grace—from long-distance relationship moments to visa challenges, career issues and even now as we raise our two young, rowdy but lovely boys.’

Married on Christmas Day in 2015, the couple intentionally chose a date that keeps Christ at the centre of their marriage.

‘We keep in mind the verse: “We love because He first loved us” (1 John 4:19).’ They credit open communication and personal growth as essential to their marriage.

‘One of our guiding principles is to have no secrets, unless it’s a surprise for the other person,’ Kemp said.

‘Also giving each other space to grow,’ added Kathy, ‘as a couple, but also as individuals.’

Today, Kathy and Kemp serve with Feast Melbourne, a Catholic movement offering prayer gatherings and spiritual support, especially to those disconnected from the Church.

‘Serving together, parenting our young boys and living in a community makes our marriage grow stronger,’ said Kemp.

Another couple, Matthew and Julie MacDonald, celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary at the Mass. Married in July of the Jubilee Year 2000, they are now marking their silver jubilee in another jubilee year—the Jubilee of Hope.

‘I remember the day very well,’ said Matt. ‘And when I did the renewal of vows today, I didn’t cry. I did last time!’

‘And I didn’t cry,’ said Julie, ‘It’s usually the other way around.’

We timed our wedding so that we would go on the Jubilee World Youth Day pilgrimage to Rome. Now we’re going back, and we’re taking the fruit of our 25 years—our six children.

Originally planning a romantic anniversary getaway to Rome, the MacDonalds will instead embark on a family pilgrimage.

‘We’re part of the Emmanuel Community, and they’re organising a pilgrimage to Rome in July,’ explained Matt.

‘When we got married, we timed our wedding so that we would go on the Jubilee World Youth Day pilgrimage to Rome. Now we’re going back, and we’re taking the fruit of our 25 years—our six children.’

When asked what advice they’d offer other couples, the MacDonalds emphasised the importance of commitment and laughter.

‘Knowing that you’ve made a commitment [to each other]. And knowing that it can be hard, but that you’ve made a commitment to the other and that you’re going to see it through,’ said Julie.

‘Being able to laugh at ourselves—at our faults and our flaws—and not taking ourselves too seriously,’ added Matt.

You have made homes in which we might flourish. This is a gift the world needs.

In his homily, the Archbishop expressed his gratitude to the couples present, honouring them for their enduring witness to love.

‘As you continue to live in the ups and downs, the griefs and hopes, of marriage and family, the gift you give of conjugal and sacrificial love opens for us all the door to hope for a reconciling love, a hope that will not disappoint,’ he said.

‘You have made homes in which we might flourish. This is a gift the world needs. So, thank you for your witness to this kind of love, in which you have modelled for us the spousal and sacrificial love of Jesus.

‘Happy anniversaries to all married couples here today!’