SCRANTON – On Corpus Christi Sunday, the Diocese of Scranton celebrated not only Jesus’ gift of the Eucharist but also the gift and blessing of marital love.

Bishop Joseph C. Bambara served as principal celebrant and homilist for the 2020 Wedding Anniversary Mass at the Cathedral of Saint Peter.

Couples celebrating milestone wedding anniversaries of 25, 50, 60 or more years were invited to take part in the Mass from their homes because of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

“In so many respects, the link between what the Church celebrates on Corpus Christi Sunday and what we acknowledge in your lives as husbands and wives speaks profoundly to the power of authentic, Christ-like love as it has grown in your lives through the gift of the sacrament of marriage,” Bishop Bambera said. “In fact, in the Church’s ritual for marriage, the words of blessing bestowed on a newly married couple acknowledge the fact that the union of man and woman is so holy a mystery that it symbolizes the marriage of Christ and His Church.”

Considering the stresses of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Wedding Anniversary Mass was a valuable opportunity for all married couples to pause and reflect upon the beauty of the vocation of marriage in their lives and in the life of our Church.

During his homily, the bishop also highlighted the words that Pope Francis asked married couples some time ago.

“He asked the couples assembled with him a question. ‘Are you prepared to seriously accept the responsibility that every marriage is meant to follow the path of love which Christ has with the Church?’ That is a pretty powerful question, isn’t it? Are you willing to love each other and the lives that God has entrusted to your care, as generously and completely as Jesus has loved us?” Bishop Bambera asked.

As a special tribute for the 2020 anniversary couples, they were invited to submit photos and share wisdom that they have learned or a blessing they have received through their marriage.

The full Wedding Anniversary Mass photo album is currently available to be viewed on the Diocese of Scranton website at: https://www.dioceseofscranton.org/parish-life/community/marriage/enrichment/wedding-anniversary-mass-june-14-2020/