CROSS PLAINS — There was a joyful celebration of wedding anniversaries on August 30 at St. Francis Xavier Church in Cross Plains.

Annually, the Diocese of Madison invites couples celebrating milestone anniversaries to come together for Mass with the bishop. 

This year’s invitation included couples celebrating 25, 50, 55, and 60 or more years of marriage. 

The event also invites newlyweds, those married three years or less, to be part of the celebration and rejoice in the vocation they have embraced.

As couples were welcomed in, they received a Rosary that Bishop Donald J. Hying of Madison would bless during Mass.

The ordinary, faithful moments of married love were visible as couples assisted each other into the church or asked where their spouse preferred to sit.

The bishop offered the homily, acknowledging the sacrifice of marriage and its beauty. 

“What a gift each one of you are to the Church and to us . . . Fidelity is remaining true to our fundamental identity and mission, no matter what. Fidelity is standing true to the commitments and vows that we have made, regardless of the storms and the challenges that may buffet our house. And so you have been radically and beautifully faithful. And that’s what we celebrate today: the gift of your fidelity to God, to one another, to your family . . . You’ve given yourself away to each other, and that didn’t just happen the day of your vows. It’s happened every single day.”

The Mass also included a special intercession for the couples and a special blessing as well.

After Mass, there was a coffee and cake reception where couples enjoyed each other’s company and reminisced.

Couples were also invited to take a photo with Bishop Hying as a way to commemorate the occasion. 

For many faithful Catholic couples, one of the burdens on their heart is that their children, or grandchildren, have fallen away from the Faith. 

For any couples who were interested, the reception included a table with resources for exploring ways of praying for one’s children or grandchildren who have fallen away.

The prayer group “Millions of Monicas” is for mothers to pray for their children — either for the return of those who have fallen away or for the perseverance of those still in the Faith. 

It has groups in 10 locations in the diocese.

There was also a basket on the table where couples could place prayer intentions — including the names of family who are away from the Faith — which will be offered to God at a Mass said by Bishop Hying.

Finally, there was the option to sign up for discussion groups about a book called Return: How to Draw Your Child Back to the Church by Brandon Vogt. 

The book offers hopeful and practical help on how to pray for one’s fallen-away children or grandchildren, and how to navigate the subject in conversation.

In addition to diocesan staff, Worldwide Marriage Encounter volunteers also assisted with the event.