Celebrating Marriage

A very busy day today, all centered around marriage.

I was doing my tithing of talents for the Diocese of Knoxville, shooting the special Mass and reception to honored married couples, this time in Chattanooga.  I enjoy doing so, because (a) it is for my church; (b) it involves photography, and (c) I get to interact with Bishop Richard Stika, as well as hear his homily.  And His Excellency is an excellent homilist.

In speaking about marriage, he raised a point that I had not considered before.  Matrimony, he said, is the one Sacrament that is not celebrated by clergy - rather, once a rpiest or deacon marries a couple, the Sacrament is celebrated daily by the marrid couple.

Now, think about that.  Our exposure to the Sacraments is rather momentary - for many Catholics, it's the weekly shuffle to the front of the church to receive Communion.  Occasionally Penance.  But the two Sacraments of service - Matrimony and Holy Orders - are bestowed and thereafter celebrated - daily, 24/7/365, we never close.  If you are married, then the Sacrament is present always. Take joy in that.

A smart man, my Bishop.  And funny and personable, as he and I joked while I was shooting the portraits of him with the couples who came to be feted.  And caring - I asked him if he could pray for a personal intention of mine.  We ended up talking for a bit, and he gave me comforting counsel and insight as a priest of his years - and indeed, will include my intention personally in his prayers.  "My prayers are no stronger than yours, Stephanie," he told me.  "But together they will work to bring about the good."

I'll have pictures up tomorrow.  Between shooting the event in Chattanooga and then racing back to my parish to shoot our marriage celebration there . . . I'm beat.