The annual Wedding Jubilee Mass was held on Sunday, June 9 at the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist. The joyous celebration, organized by the diocese’s Marriage and Family Office, was attended by more than 500 people, including the couples married in 1974 and their guests. Bishop Edward Malesic presided at the Mass.
In addressing the crowd during his homily, Bishop Malesic said, “Each Golden anniversary couple inspires the rest of us to believe that lifelong love is possible.” He then shared a story that rocked the crowded church with laughter. “All of you remind me of the story of a couple on their fiftieth wedding anniversary, who became nostalgic and reflective about their long life together,” he said.
The husband said to his wife: “I have always wanted to ask you something. From the night we married, you have always had a box in your closet. I have never looked in it. It’s your private property, but I have always wondered what is in that box.”
His wife said: “Well, since we have been married for fifty years, I think you should know. So, if you’ll go and get it, I will open it for you.” Her husband brought it to her and when she opened the box, in it were a pair of knitted mittens and two hundred thousand dollars in cash.
“Let me explain,” his wife said. “The night before we were married, my grandmother called me over to her house and she said.” “Honey, I want you to have a long marriage, so I’m going to tell you how to accomplish that. Here is the key: Don’t fuss with your husband. Every time you get upset with him just go and knit a pair of mittens. That’ll get your mind off things.” His wife said, “And that’s exactly what I did.”
Upon hearing this, the husband began to swell with pride thinking: “50 years and you only have one pair of mittens in that box!” “But,” he said, “What about the money? What about the $200,000 in cash?”
And his wife said to him: “That’s the money I made from selling mittens!!”
“No matter how you made it work over the last fifty years,” said Bishop Malesic, “you did make it work.”
He continued: “Fifty years ago, you made a life-altering decision. It meant taking a chance with each other. It involved some trust in the future. You chose to overlook the uncertainties of the 1970’s and you believed that that the future would be better together than apart. You took the risk of marriage – becoming friends for life.”
In closing, Bishop Malesic stated, “Thank you for showing us that God’s love is lasting. Thank you for showing us that God’s love is kind. Thank you for showing us that God cares about us. Thank you for showing us God’s face – for when we look at you, somehow in the vocation of Holy Matrimony that you have lived for 50 years now, we see the face of God.”