Couples throughout the diocese will join their fellow Catholics worldwide in proclaiming the joy, sanctity and life-giving power of the sacrament of marriage during World Marriage Day observances from Feb. 8 through 14.

Parishes in Burlington, Mercer, Monmouth and Ocean Counties will commemorate the event with special blessings, liturgies and unique observances on International World Marriage Day, Feb. 8. On a diocesan level, the Office of Family Life/Respect Life will host its annual World Marriage Day Champagne Luncheon in The Breakers Hotel, 1507 Ocean Ave., Spring Lake, Feb. 14 from noon to 3 p.m.

A highlight of the celebration will be the renewal of wedding vows led by Msgr. Sam Sirianni, pastor of St. Robert Bellarmine Parish, Freehold and director of the diocesan Office of Worship, who will also present “What Catholic Marriage Says to the World.”

World Marriage Day was instituted in Baton Rouge, La., in 1981 as a Catholic-centered commemoration of the oft-secularized St. Valentine’s Day holiday. It was adopted nationwide by Worldwide Marriage Encounter’s leadership in 1983; a decade later Pope John Paul II imparted his Apostolic Blessings on the celebration.

World Marriage Day reminds couples of the gifts and meaning of marriage and inspires them to publicly profess their fidelity to one another and Christ’s teachings. Celebrated on or about the second Sunday in February, its theme, “Love One Another”, is the commandment given by Jesus in John 15:12; its symbol, two candle-like figures joined by a heart, reflects married couples’ calling to enlighten the world by being life-giving to one another.

For World Marriage Day Luncheon information and registration, contact Peg Hensler, coordinator of Marriage and Family Ministries, Office of Family Life, at (609) 406-7400, ext. 5556 or register online at www.dioceseoftrenton.org/go/wmd