We are truly blessed to witness so many beautiful weddings take place here in our parish, not only for our own parishioners but also for couples from neighboring communities. Our church, with its stunning fountain courtyard, the grand aisle, and the Spanish-style sanctuary, provides a breathtaking backdrop for these sacred moments. It is a place where love, joy, and new beginnings come to life.

Anyone who has been part of planning a wedding knows how much effort goes into ensuring that both the ceremony and reception are flawless. But as every couple knows, the true work begins after the wedding day. The journey of building a life together, of creating a happy marriage, is not a task that ends with "I do"—it’s a lifelong commitment. How do we create a strong and enduring marriage? It's a question every couple faces, and it’s a journey that requires patience, sacrifice, and above all, love.

Marriage is never easy. It is a beautiful but challenging journey. Even the happiest and most loving couples face difficulties, because marriage is the coming together of two individuals, each with their own experiences, values, and dreams. Two people, each with their own struggles and imperfections. The reality is, we are all human; we are all fallen. The stain of Original Sin, as we hear in the Book of Genesis, means that we all have a tendency to choose the wrong. We call this concupiscence.  And because of this, relationships can be challenging. But this is not something to fear—this is the very space where love can grow.

In the face of these challenges, how are we called to live? First and foremost, we must embrace the wisdom passed down through generations before us. We once had a culture of courtship, where love was nurtured with time, respect, and intention. In those days, marriage was seen as a sacred journey that required commitment from the very beginning. Today, we live in a world that sometimes encourages a trial period before the lifelong commitment of marriage—believing that living together before marriage will lead to stronger unions. But studies consistently show that cohabitation before marriage actually increases the risk of divorce.

For healthier families and stronger marriages, we must return to a more sacred view of marriage, one rooted in biblical values and the wisdom of the Church. As Sister Lucia, the last living visionary of the Marian apparition at Fatima, once wrote in 1983, “A time will come when the decisive battle between the kingdom of Christ and Satan will be over marriage and the family. Those who work for the good of the family will face persecution and trial. But do not be afraid, because Our Lady has already crushed his head.” In the years since she wrote those words, we can see the truth of her prophecy unfolding before us. The challenges are real, but so is the hope.

So, how can we contribute to building a "Civilization of Love"? The answer is clear:  “Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.” True love is selfless. It requires us to lay down our egos, to put the needs of others before our own, and to give of ourselves unconditionally. This is the essence of love—this is how we follow in the footsteps of Jesus Christ.

In marriage, this is the call: to deny ourselves for the sake of our spouse, to take up the cross of daily sacrifice, and to journey forward together, with Christ as the center of our lives. In this, we will discover the fullness of life—the life that is abundant, rich in grace, and filled with the kind of love that endures all things.

Together, let us build marriages that are not just based on love but on the transformative power of Christ’s love—love that sacrifices, love that endures, and love that never fails. This is the love that can change the world, one family at a time.