By Paula Day

A special Mass for married couples was celebrated September in the Cathedral of Christ the King by Archbishop James P. Lyke, OFM.

The Mass, an affirmation of marriage and family, was a first for the archdiocese, according to Mary Ellen Hughes of the Office of Family Concerns, sponsor of the celebration. More than 600 took part in the liturgy, which involved couples as lectors, Eucharistic ministers, and cross bearers.

A high point of the Mass came when Archbishop Lyke asked the couples to turn to one another and repeat after him a renewal of their marriage vows.

Composed by Connie Sambrone, a member of the coordinating committee for the Mass, the vow renewal began: Tonight in the presence of God, I recommit and rededicate my love to you. The life and love we share has endured the tests of pain and suffering, stress and duress, reconciliation and forgiveness, but the joy and happiness we’ve known because of the love we feel and the God we share continues to keep us united.”

In his homily, Archbishop Lyke observed, “I see before me the household of God in all its generations, in all its ages, radiating a sacramental presence that is both powerful and fruitful.”

“It is impossible to exaggerate the power of Christ to heal and hold together the Christian family of today,” the archbishop continued. “Here, at this Mass, we see the power of Christ all around us – in the love of the priest for his people, in the love of husbands and wives and children, in the love of the old for the young and the strong for the weak. We try to live in this power of Christ’s love every day, and in all our relationships reflect when he says: ‘Dedicate yourselves to thankfulness. Let the word of Christ, rich as it is, dwell in you…Whatever you do…do in the name of the Lord Jesus.’”

Using the readings from Scriptures selected for the Mass, the archbishop focused on three aspects of married life: the interpersonal, the spiritual and the existential. He concluded, “But there is a more basic threesome which we must also recognize, for it has been said that a successful marriage is always a triangle: a man, a woman, and God.”

“As true followers of the Gospel, it is our special privilege to strengthen and reaffirm this relationship at every Eucharistic meal. When husband and wife attend the Mass and take Communion together, all the elements of marriage which we have mentioned come together in a most vivid way. Christ’s saving presence really enters our being, bringing us fulfillment. At the same time, our souls are fed with the energy of the Holy Spirit, who sends us forth to build the family of God in the world. Just as the triangle is the most stable of structures, let this marriage of man, woman, and God be the firm foundation on which we stand as we try to be faithful to the spirit of the Gospel and to the law of love born of Christ’s unselfish gift.”

As the couples entered the cathedral, darkened except for the sanctuary, they were each handed tapers which when lighted, gradually filled the church with their glow.

Three dancers from the Atlanta Dance Theatre provided liturgical movement before and at the close of the Mass.

Joe and Juanita Altschuler and Felix and Ambar Bigles, couples from St. John Neumann parish, were lectors for the Mass. The first reading was from the Song of Songs. In the second reading from Paul’s letter to the Colossians the apostle exhorts them to “be clothed in sincere compassion, in kindness and humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with one another; forgive each other as soon as a quarrel begins.”

Deacon Fred Sambrone proclaimed Jesus’ words from Matthew’s Gospel calling his followers the salt of the earth and the light of the world. The general intercessions, offered alternately in English and Spanish, were petitions asking for the grace to keep promises.

Father Tom Kenny, rector of the cathedral, and Father Steve Yander, Father Henry Gracz, Father Joe Fahy, Father Jorge Christancho and Father Pete McKeown concelebrated the Mass with Archbishop Lyke.

Before the recessional, Father Gracz asked the couples, who were standing, to be seated beginning with those most recently married. Rudy and Julieta Burda of Corpus Christi parish in Stone Mountain, and Bernice and Arthur “Morry” Seaver of Christ the King were the last couples to sit down. The Burdas have been married 51 years, the Seavers 55.

Mrs. Seaver said the couple “Never had a fight,” and Seaver added, “I was traveling too much. But even after I’ve been retired 21 years, we still haven’t had a fight.” They expressed appreciation for the special liturgy and Archbishop Lyke. “He makes you feel so important,” Bernice Seaver said.

Tim and Susan Hudson were possibly the most recently married couple at the celebration. Members of St. Paul the Apostle Mission in Cleveland, they have been married eight months.

“We love being married to each other,” Susan Hudson commented, even though those months have not been easy because her husband is job hunting.

Being without a permanent job has “strengthened my faith,” he said. “Its’ in the Lord’s hands. He has never let me down. It’s been faith building.” The couple were also grateful for the chance to celebrate their married life with other couples and Archbishop Lyke. “I told him I hope he has the Mass every year,” Hudson said.

The celebration continued after the liturgy with a reception and dance in the Hyland Center.