Mangalore, 04 May 2014: St Vincent De Paul Society organized fortieth mass wedding programme at Rosario Cathedral here on Sunday May 4. Twenty-one couples tied the nuptial-knot on the occasion.
Bishop Dr Aloysius Paul D’Souza solemnized the nuptial during the Eucharistic Celebration along with several clergies.
Bishop Dr D’Souza in his home said, ‘Marriage is a sacred institution. For the world to go on, family is important. However, our families have become very small. Some couples opt out of having a child or stick to one-child policy. This has made our community smaller,’ said Bishop Dr D’Souza.
Bishop Dr D’Souza advised the couples on leading a happy married life. He urged them to keep love and prayer as their focus of interest always.
After the ceremony at the Cathedral, the newly-wedded couples proceeded to Rosario School ground where formal stage programme was held. The procession was flanked by music bands.
Mangalore south MLA J R Lobo was the chief guest of the occasion, said, ‘Marriage is a gift of god. The world goes on because of Sacrament of Matrimony, if not it would have been dead. A good family helps the society and the nation to grow. Family is the first place in a person’s life where virtues are inculcated and character is built. There should be happiness and understanding among wedded couple,’ said MLA Lobo.
Lamenting the extravagant weddings, MLA Lobo said, ‘These days we see many fat weddings where money is squandered just to show off. It is waste of money. But mass marriages with their simplicity and adherence to tradition have set an example to society. I feel sad when I see so much money being wasted on extravagant weddings,’ said MLA Lobo.
MLA Lobo lauded St Vincent De Paul Society for organizing mass weddings since the past 40 years and thereby helping the economically-weaker families.
MLA Lobo in his advice to the newly-wedded couples said, ‘There will be ups and downs in married life, hence adjustment matters a lot. Every misunderstanding must be ironed out and should never go to the extent that a family gets broken. Strive to become an ideal couple and set an example for all. There are problems everywhere. Good things and bad things will happen, take both in your stride in equal measure,’ said MLA Lobo.
Rosario parish priest Fr J B Crasta welcomed the programme, where he said the key objective of organizing the mass weddings was to cut down on unnecessary expenses and also to follow the tradition of marriage in its true sense.
Harish D’Souza Panja and Stella D’Souza spoke on behalf of the wedded couples.
Each couple was given Rs 10,000 worth of gifts, which included Rs 5,000 as fixed deposit, a sari and a pressure cooker.
The 21 couples included those from Raichur, Manjeshwar, Bangalore, Dakshina Kannada, Kasargod and Udupi districts.
St Vincent De Paul Society secretary Maurice Monteiro proposed vote of thanks. John D’Silva compered the programme.
Courtesy:Bellevision