In a group wedding Mass conducted in Spanish, 14 couples entered holy matrimony on Saturday, October 14 at Holy Cross Church in the Soundview section of the Bronx. The couples were married in unison by Father John Higgins, the parish pastor. Father Vincent Druding, parochial vicar, served as principal celebrant and homilist.

“This year the parish started a marriage campaign for free weddings called, ‘Cana at Holy Cross,’ to get more couples to receive the sacrament of marriage,” Lisa Ferreira, parish secretary, told The Good Newsroom in the days leading to the ceremony. “This has drawn in many couples to get married this year.”       

Most of the group wedding couples had been married civilly or had non-marriage unions; they had decided it was time to be married in the Church and they attended preparation sessions for holy matrimony.  

Father Higgins, after leading the couples in taking their vows, said, “And now all the grooms may kiss their brides!” The kisses occurred and all the people applauded with enthusiasm. Later toward the end of Mass, the pastor expressed his joy “for this great victory of holy matrimony for 14 couples.” 

Father Druding, in his Charismatic-style homily, spoke to the couples about the importance of maintaining Christ at the center of their marriage and their home life, noting that this helps in coping with interpersonal challenges and during times of tribulation. “We can renew ourselves through the grace of Jesus Christ crucified and resurrected! Amen?” And the faithful shouted, “Amen!” 

“We are joyful that our hearts can be renewed in Christ – this for your families, for your children, for your grandchildren,” the priest told the congregation, citing the life teachings of Jesus, and the holy examples of Blessed Mother Mary. “The Church is the bride of Christ.” 

Earlier at the start of Mass, Father Druding asked the hundreds of faithful in the pews, “My brothers and sisters in Christ, help me in expressing the joy that we feel at this moment (for the couples about to be married through the Church).” This was greeted with loud applause and cheers.

“For the glory of God – for the glory of God!” Father Druding exclaimed during the applause, which then grew louder. The wedding ceremony occurred during a regularly scheduled 7:15 p.m. Spanish Mass. The faithful included the wedding couples’ children and other loved ones and friends. 

Among the couples were Augustin Molina and Maritza Moscoso, who were married civilly six years ago; Moscoso has a young adult son.  

“We wanted to fulfill with the holy sacrament of matrimony,” Molina told The Good Newsroom after the ceremony, which was followed by a reception at the parish. “We heard about this  ceremony, which would give us the opportunity – we wanted to be closer together with the blessing of God.”  

Moscoso said she felt “happy and blessed.”  

Another of the couples was Eddison M. Amparo and Vianka M. Abreu, the only couple entering marriage and forming a domestic union for the first time; neither had children.  

“I feel super good, emotional and happy,” Abreu said. And Amparo noted, “This is a great satisfaction – a blessing from Christ.”