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More than 300 couples married 50 years marked that milestone at St. Patrick’s Cathedral, renewing their vows at one of two Jubilee Masses that Cardinal Dolan celebrated last weekend.
In all there were 332 couples, most celebrating 50 years of marriage but also several marking anniversaries of 60 and 65 years. The cathedral was filled with the couples’ sons and daughters, grandchildren, relatives and friends.
“This is one of my favorite events of the year,” Cardinal Dolan said at the start of the Sunday afternoon liturgy June 21, which drew 151 couples registered for the occasion. The celebration is coordinated by the archdiocesan Family Life/Respect Life Office.
Congratulating them, he said, “This is all about family.”
The Saturday afternoon Jubilee Mass June 20 drew 181 registered couples. Another 40 couples had registered to receive an archdiocesan jubilee certificate, but could not attend either Mass, organizers said.
During his Sunday homily, the cardinal spoke of once seeing an elderly couple having breakfast, the man carefully feeding his frail wife. He recalled telling the man that what he was witnessing reminded him of how “God takes care of us lovingly and tenderly.”
Addressing the couples, the cardinal said, “I thank you for reminding us of God’s love.” He also asked them to thank the Lord for guiding them in their holy matrimony. “It’s all about thanking God for keeping his promise to you,” he noted.
Acknowledging that several of the weekend’s couples were celebrating their 60th or 65th wedding anniversaries, Cardinal Dolan said they were truly an inspiration.
Among the Sunday Mass couples were Nicola and Marie Petringa, who are members of St. Pius X parish in Scarsdale. They were married Nov. 24, 1965, in their native Italy, emigrating to the United States in 1981. “This coming November will be our 50th anniversary,” Mr. Petringa said in an interview. “This is important because after 50 years we are here in peace with ourselves—we are in love and still young inside. And we are here to thank God for everything he has done for us.”
Mrs. Petringa said her advice to young couples is to always remember the special significance of faith, family, peace and health—and to “keep working at it,” work to keep the marriage strong. They said they always bear in mind “amore di Dio (the love of God).”
Also among the jubilee couples were Tommy and Connie Lamantia, of Our Lady Queen of Peace parish on Staten Island. “Through the grace of God, through the grace of God, that’s how we made it 50 years,” said Mrs. Lamantia, noting her husband has had health problems.
There was also Tom and Ann Hanrahan, of St. Margaret of Cortona parish in Riverdale. “Our Catholic upbringing—church, prayer and Mass,” Mrs. Hanrahan said, remarking about the longevity of their marriage. The Hanrahans celebrated their 50th anniversary June 12.
Their daughter, Eileen Hanrahan Proffitt, said the entire family was grateful for the special celebration at the cathedral. “It was a beautiful Mass,” she said.
After the husbands and wives separately repeated their vows to one another, the cardinal prayed that their wedding bands continue to be a symbol of their faith in each other and always remind them of their love.
