Couples Celebrate Half Century of Marriage at St. Patrick’s Mass

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The 150 couples who renewed their promises to love, be true to and honor each other could have reasonably expected Cardinal Dolan to praise and congratulate them on their fidelity during 50 years of marriage. And that he did at a Mass he celebrated on their behalf at St. Patrick’s Cathedral June 14.

But the cardinal also told the spouses their marriages represent more than perseverance. They are a “reflection, a mirror, an icon of the love of the Most Blessed Trinity,” he said, and he thanked them for reminding him of that centrality.

“The love between a husband and wife mirrors the love of the Three Persons, the Most Blessed Trinity. Do you believe that?” the cardinal asked the couples. “What you’ve done for the past 50 years, husbands and wives, is to remind us of God. You have taught us that we were created to love and to share and to be one and, just like the like the Blessed Trinity, that love, that oneness, brings about new love and life. I don’t know what else I can say but to thank you for reflecting the Mystery of the Most Blessed Trinity these last 50 years.”

The Jubilee Mass was one of two liturgies celebrated that same weekend for couples commemorating their golden anniversaries. Another 130 couples and their families were welcomed to St. Patrick’s on Sunday afternoon for a second Mass. Because of continuing restoration work inside the sanctuary, seating at the cathedral was at a premium both days. Seven couples attended from St. Anastasia’s parish in Harriman.

Among those attending the Mass Saturday were Oreste and Jeannette Persico, parishioners at St. Theresa of the Infant Jesus in the Bronx, who were celebrating their 50th anniversary that very day. Both sported pink corsages.

“It was very hot, 95 degrees if I remember right,” Persico recalled of their wedding day at Our Lady of the Assumption Church in Pelham Bay 50 years ago.

It has been a year of milestones for the Persico family. They are also celebrating their eldest son Matthew’s 20th wedding anniversary this year and their second son Philip’s ordination as a priest 15 years ago. Father Persico, currently administrator of Holy Name of Jesus parish in Valhalla, concelebrated at the Jubilee Mass with Cardinal Dolan and delivered the Gospel.

“It’s a wonderful day,” beamed Father Persico. “We looked forward to this day for the longest time, especially as it is their actual anniversary.”

Father Persico’s parents said they were proud their son would be at the altar for the special Mass on their special day. During the procession, Father Persico personally presented his parents to the cardinal.

Their recipe for a long marriage was one based on mutual respect. “It’s give and take,” Mrs. Persico said. “You have to take the good with the bad and you have to be able to say you’re sorry.”

“There has to be some kind of foundation, some kind of a basis,” added her husband, who said the couple had dated for seven years before they married.

The Persicos met at a dance in Pelham Bay. They said the highlights of their marriage were the births of their two grandchildren and the day their son Philip told them he wanted to be a priest.

For Mari and Kenneth Share, members of Immaculate Heart of Mary parish in Scarsdale, St. Patrick’s Cathedral was just where they wanted to observe with other couples their five decades of marriage. The Shares will celebrate their 50th anniversary in November.

Mrs. Share, who wore a pretty yellow dress, marveled at the beauty of the cathedral, despite the scaffolding that obscured much of its grandeur. “It’s wondrous,” she exclaimed.

“The fascinating thing is a marriage, even after 50 years, is just like St. Patrick’s Cathedral,” added her husband, “still under construction.”