The Office of Family Life of the Archdiocese of New York is sponsoring several gatherings in observance of National Marriage Week 2024, which is February 7-14.

On Sunday, February 11, Cardinal Timothy Dolan will serve as principal celebrant and homilist of the Bilingual World Marriage Day Mass, at St. Patrick’s Cathedral, 10:15 a.m. (English and Spanish). The annual award in celebration of the Longest Married Couple in the Archdiocese will be presented during the Mass. Registration is not required.               

“These events are very important because we need to promote marriage, that it is truly the loving union between a man and woman for life,” Kayla Beiter, married couples evangelization coordinator with the Office of Family Life, told The Good Newsroom. “Marriage and the family are the primary units that society grows out of.”             

Beiter noted that marriage is a vocation and that “the idea is to bring awareness to what marriage is, the goodness that it is because it’s a gift from God.” She said the scheduled events, as in past years, will reaffirm what the Church teaches about marriage.

The Office of Family Life says it “collaborates with the parishes of the archdiocese and recommends programs and resources that prepare and enrich engaged and married couples; educate, form, support and strengthen families; build and promote a culture of life; and provide a healing and comfort to those struggling with loss, grief, or brokenness.” 

“The four pillars of marriage and family life found in the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops document, ‘Called to the Joy of Love: The National Pastoral Framework for Marriage and Family Life Ministry,’ are Prayer and Relationship with Christ, Formation, Accompaniment, and Advocacy. They form the foundation on which we continue to build and support programs and initiatives for use by parishes,” the Office added.   

National Marriage Week was launched in 2010 as part of an international event aimed at strengthening marriage. The week also plays host to World Marriage Day, which began in 1983 and is celebrated on the second Sunday of February, February 11 in 2024.     

National Marriage Week events in the Archdiocese of New York include: 

Marriage Week Zoom Series (February 7-9, 13-14, at 7:00 p.m.): A series of five, one-hour webinars with speakers covering topics such as the graces and challenges of marriage, the meaning behind the marriage ceremony, the Wedding at Cana, and married saints. 

Post-Cana Connections Brunch, Saturday, February 10 (11 a.m.-1:30 p.m.), St. Joseph’s Seminary, 201 Seminary Ave., Yonkers. Open to married couples who attended Pre-Cana in the Archdiocese of New York between 2019 and 2023. Enjoy a delicious meal and reconnect with the Office of Family Life at the first Post-Cana Connections Brunch. This is an opportunity to provide feedback on your marriage preparation experience, learn about new marriage enrichment initiatives and events, and socialize with other newlyweds. 

Visit www.tinyurl.com/postcana2024 to register.  

Marriage Vow Renewal, Saturday, February 10, at 12 p.m., St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish, 1377 E. Main St., Shrub Oak. Couples of all ages and stages are invited to celebrate and strengthen their commitment to their marriage vows during a special ceremony at the parish, with a social hour to follow. 

Marriage Mystagogy Wine and Cheese Night, Monday, February 12, at 8 p.m., Church of St. Vincent Ferrer, 869 Lexington Ave., Manhattan. Open to couples married five years or fewer. Unpack the deep meaning and mystery behind the Catholic wedding ceremony while enjoying wine and hors d’oeuvres with other married couples. Talk and reflections led by the pastor, Father Peter M. Yungwirth, OP. 

Staten Island Marriage Week Mass, Thursday, February 8, at 7:30 p.m., Church of St. Clare, 110 Nelson Ave., Staten Island. Mass in celebration of National Marriage Week with a social hour to follow. The pastor, Father Arthur Mastrolia, will serve as principal celebrant and homilist. No registration required. 

For Zoom Series information, vow renewal registration, and marriage mystagogy registration, contact the Office of Family Life.