By Gloria Ibesi
The air in the church was charged with happiness and love as couples exchanged their vows of love and commitment to each other at St. John’s Parish, Enugwu-Agidi, Njikoka Local Government Area, Anambra State, 6 January 2024, during a Mass Wedding Ceremony involving 26 couples.
The ceremony which was both a spiritual and legal affair, was a memorable occasion for all involved, especially for the couples, who desired to be married in the Catholic faith and become full-fledged members of the Church.
During the Nuptial Mass, the Parish Priest, Rev Fr Okechukwu Otie, who presided over the Mass, in his homily urged the couples to be peacemakers in their various homes, stressing the need to love their partners with all their hearts. He reminded them that marriage was a gift from God, and that they should cherish it and work to strengthen it every day.
Fr Otie admonished couples, especially women, to create quality time for their children and avoid anything that would distract their attentions from them, adding that they would reap greatly for their labour when the children were grown.
Stressing that there were many challenges that came with marriage, the prelate advised the couples to always forgive their partner’s mistakes and follow each other with pure hearts.
The event was graced by family, friends and loved ones of the celebrants who came to witness the celebration of love and share in the couples’ joys.
With the marriage rites complete and the couples declared husbands and wives to the cheers and applause of the assembled guests, one of the wedded candidates, Mr Paul Nweke Ilezue, appreciated the Parish Priest for his tireless work in the parish and for his innovative idea of the Mass Wedding ceremony.
Mr Ilezue on behalf of the newlyweds expressed their gratitude, saying that the experience had renewed their spirits and filled their hearts with joy.
‘I am so excited that I feel like I am in heaven. I know this ceremony has brought us closer to God,’ he gushed.