PORTLAND — Their stories, lives, and the strength of their faith are inspiring, and on June 27, 30 Maine couples were honored for their nearly 1,500 combined years of marriage during the Silver & Gold Mass at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception.
Couples who are celebrating major milestone anniversaries were invited to register this year, but all were welcome to participate in the celebration of the goodness of Christian marriage.
“Today, we want to mark those milestone anniversaries which speak to us of the enduring power and strength of married love,” said Bishop Robert Deeley who celebrated the Mass on Sunday. “This morning as we come together, we are honoring the people in our diocese who are marking special anniversaries of marriage this year. We had some 30 couples contact us who are celebrating 25 or 40 or 50 or even 60 years of marriage this year. This year, we are unable to have everyone come together for this celebration. It is another ‘virtual’ gathering. But it is no less wonderful to honor these special anniversaries.”
This year, because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Silver & Gold Mass was live-streamed, but a commemorative program and slideshow featuring some of the couples’ wedding pictures was assembled, and can be viewed at www.portlanddiocese.org/olff/silver-gold-mass.
An astounding 23 of the 30 couples have been married at least 50 years,
Phil and Carmen Rioux of Lewiston, found love at first sight in Latin class in 1965.
“I saw this person of the female persuasion who had two black eyes. She reminded me of a raccoon. I found that quite intriguing and wanted to know more,” said Phil.
A first date of skating ended up being postponed after Phil, one of seven children who all insisted on coming on the date with him, was late to pick her up.
“It happened to be April 1, and Carmen was sure that I was playing an April Fool’s joke on her. As it turned out, skating was cancelled and I ended up watching ‘The Ed Sullivan Show’ at her house,” Phil said.
“Our personalities are totally opposite, yet we complement each other beautifully,” said Carmen. “In the five years we dated, I felt I would never meet anyone as sweet and loving as Phil.”
Different personalities, yes, but far more similarities and shared beliefs.
“I think the key to a long marriage involves mutual respect for one another along with acceptance of our shortcomings and building on our strengths which seem to complement each other. Prayer and faith are a big part in making a marriage work along with patience and forgiveness,” said Phil.
“A couple needs to buy in to the fact that marriage is forever and not dissolvable just because times may get rough,” said Carmen. “Sharing the same faith has been most important to the success of our marriage.”
Joe and Priscilla Angelo of Bridgton celebrated their 50th anniversary on July 4, a long and winding road that began with a blind date.
“Priscilla’s best friend was dating my friend, and these two friends introduced Priscilla and me,” said Joe.
A long and happy marriage didn’t seem likely at the start.
“When Priscilla and I started going out, there was no certainty at all. I then joined the Navy and was in Europe for three years. When I returned, Priscilla and I broke up.”
But five years later, their paths crossed again, and in 1970, they were married.
“Whenever Priscilla and I turned away from one another, the opposite party was not ready to give up,” said Joe. “One could attribute this to love or a guided faith. Jesus is the bedrock of our relationship. Sometimes we struggled and hid from him, thinking of ourselves first. However, we always turned back to Jesus and he was there.”
Susan and Richard Cloutier were married 50 years ago at the Basilica of Ss. Peter & Paul in Lewiston.
“A long happy marriage is based on respect and love and that will help overcome any problems,” said Susan. “We know we can depend on each other and the impossible will be possible.”
Bill and Mary Loring of Augusta have been married 40 years, exchanging their vows at St. Patrick Church in Portland after initially meeting at work and discovering they were both Catholic and held common values.
“The longevity of our beautiful marriage is due to our faith in God, accepting that it is not always about yourself and having agreement on important matters,” said Mary.
“The key to a long and happy marriage is supporting each other in life’s experiences, working together, and thinking of the wishes of your spouse. We have prayed to God and relied on him during difficult times. We each see marriage as an agreement between our spouse and God.”
