National Marriage Week and World Marriage Day

The observances of National Marriage Week (February 7-14) and World Marriage Day (Sunday, February 9) are opportunities to focus on building a culture of life and love that begins with supporting and promoting marriage and the family. The theme of the week for 2025 is "Marriage: Source of Hope, Spring of Renewal. Pursue a Lasting Love!"

National Marriage Week and World Marriage Day provide us an opportunity to celebrate Christian marriage honoring husbands and wives as the foundation of the family, the basic unit of society, and the beauty of the faithfulness, sacrifices, and joys of daily married life. In addition, National Marriage Week encourages building a culture of life and love that begins with promoting and defending marriage and the family. The way in which we build such a culture is to encourage those who are married to live out the sacrament they have received.

Celebrations in Our Diocese

Christian Life Center, Frenchville

The Christian Life Center invites all married couples to come and celebrate their marriage at a Valentine's Day Dinner for Couples on Friday, February 14, 2025. The evening will begin with Mass at 4 p.m., followed by the dinner. The Christian Life Center is located at 444 U.S. Route One in Frenchville. The cost is $55 per couple. To register: 207-543-6193. Space is limited so register early.

St. John Vianney Parish, Fort Kent

St. John Vianney Parish in Fort Kent will hold a World Marriage Day Celebration on Sunday, February 9, during the 9 a.m. Mass at St. Louis Church, 26 East Main Street in Fort Kent. The parish will be honoring couples who are celebrating, 10, 20, 25, 30, 40, 50, or 55 years or more of marriage. Please contact the parish if you are celebrating one of those anniversaries. Couples attending will receive a small bouquet of flowers and have their photo taken before Mass. The parish will also host celebrations at area nursing homes and assisted living centers for couples living there.

St. Mary of the Visitation Parish, Houlton

Knights of Columbus Council 1873 will sponsor their annual Celebration of Marriage Dinner on Saturday, February 8, at the St. Mary of the Visitation Parish center, 110 Military Street in Houlton. The cost is $25 for an individual or $50 for a couple. Free childcare can be arranged if requested when signing up. Sign-up sheets are available at the entrances of the church or if you have special dietary needs or would like more information, contact David Mueller at 859-533-9783.

St. Therese of Lisieux Parish, Sanford and St. Matthew Parish, Limerick

On the weekend of February 8th and 9th, at all the Masses the parishes we will be commemorating the sacrament of marriage by offering a blessing and honoring those who are celebrating their silver 25th anniversary this Jubilee year. It will also be a special family Mass to include a special moment with faith formation and St. Thomas School students who will present Valentines to members of the staff and Father Bill Labbe and demonstrate ways that God shows His love to all.

Prayer for Married Couples

Almighty and eternal God,
You blessed the union of married couples
so that they might reflect the union of Christ with his Church:
Look with kindness on them.
Renew their marriage covenant,
increase your love in them,
and strengthen their bond of peace
so that, with their children,
they may always rejoice in the gift of
your blessing.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
Amen.

Find additional prayers here.