By Francisco Valdez
More than 100 couples joined Archbishop Salvatore J. Cordileone on Saturday, Feb. 21, for the annual Wedding Anniversary Mass at the Cathedral of Saint Mary of the Assumption.
Attendees included newlyweds in their first year of marriage to couples who have journeyed together for more than six decades. John and Marilyn Lee, who will celebrate their 66th wedding anniversary in 2026, were recognized as the longest married couple in attendance.
The archbishop’s homily was from the Gospel of the calling of St. Matthew making parallels to renowned Renaissance artist Caravaggio’s depiction of the calling and martyrdom of St. Matthew to the vocation of marriage.
“The rewards of virtue are rewards that God gives to us, but they are also our gift to God,” said Archbishop Cordileone. “For St. Matthew, that reward and gift was the writing of our Lord’s Gospel to recount our Lord’s words and deeds, His sacrifice and His triumph over death.We all, however, write our own gospel in our own way, too. In the covenantal union of husband and wife in marriage, serving as the foundation of the family, we see not only the Gospel of love written anew in each marital commitment, but also the rewards of marital virtue incarnated through the children God deems fit to have them bring into the world.”
The Lees also had advice to give from their experience of 66 years of marriage.
“It’s a challenge because we have ups and downs, but God is the leader of our marriage and so with Him in mind, everything will be fine,” said Marylin Lee.
The Lees give the same advice to couples that seeking to get married.
“Once you make a commitment, you keep that commitment for life,” they said. “It’s a one-way street. There’s no turning back.”
The Mass was followed by the opportunity for couples to renew their wedding commitments and have their wedding rings blessed by Archbishop Cordileone.
Following the Mass was a reception featuring music by harpist Anna Maria Mendieta.
Photos: John Bartolome and Francisco Valdez
