A love to renew

Editorial Staff

I’ve just celebrated the 20th anniversary of my marriage. For this occasion, I had asked my husband several times to celebrate in a solemn way with a party among friends, after having renewed our promises during Mass. I admit that he enthusiastically lived the anniversary with me, but he continued to tell me that it is proper to celebrate in a solemn way only for the 25 and 50 years of marriage, thus postponing the appointment later in time. And who knows... But is there really a liturgical rite only for those deadlines?

F.S.

Actually in the Roman Missal there are three distinct forms: one for “the anniversary of marriage” in general, one for “the 25th anniversary of marriage” and another for “the 50th anniversary of marriage”. Traditionally these two great anniversaries are called “silver” and “golden wedding anniversary"; sometimes they even go so far as to celebrate the “diamond wedding anniversary” for the 60 years of marriage. There is nothing to prevent us from celebrating a Eucharist of thanksgiving and invocation every year, but certainly—by analogy with the cycle of jubilees— the anniversaries of 25 and 50 years are to be solemnized in a special way. I wish you to walk together joyfully towards these Jubilees, thus celebrating each year, but in a very special way in five years' time.