Pics: Spoorthi Ullal
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore (NM)
Mangalore, May 4: As many as 21 couples tied the nuptial knot at the 40th mass marriage ceremony organized by St Vincent De Paul Society at Rosario Cathedral here on Sunday May 4.
The ceremony began with a Eucharistic Mass, with bishop of Mangalore Dr Aloysius Paul D'Souza as the main celebrant.
The bishop said, "Marriage is a sacred institution. For the world to go on, family is important. However, our families have become very small. Some couples opt out of having a child or stick to one-child policy. This has made our community smaller."
He also advised the couples on leading a happy married life. He asked them to keep love and prayer as their focus of interest always.
After the ceremony at the Cathedral, the newly-wedded couples proceeded to Rosario school ground where formal stage programmed was held. The procession was flanked by music bands.
MLA J R Lobo, who was the chief guest, raised the toast. Addressing the gathering, he said, "Marriage is a gift of god. The world goes on because of marriage, if not it would have been dead. A good family helps the society and the nation to grow. Family is the first place in a person's life where virtues are inculcated and character is built. There should be happiness and understanding between the husband and the wife."
Lamenting the waste expenditures incurred at grand weddings, he said, "These days we see many fat weddings where money is squandered just to show off. It is waste of money. But mass marriages with their simplicity and adherence to tradition have set an example to society. I feel sad when I see so much money being wasted on extravagant weddings."
He lauded St Vincent De Paul Society for holding mass marriage ceremonies for 40 years and thereby serving the society.
In his advice to the newly-wedded couples, he said, "There will be ups and downs in married life, hence adjustment matters a lot. Every misundertsanding must be ironed out and should never go to the extent that a family gets broken. Strive to become an ideal couple and set an example for all. There are problems everywhere. Good things and bad things will happen, take both in your stride in equal measure."
John D'Silva compered the programme. Parish priest of Rosario Fr J B Crasta welcomed the gathering, where he said the main aim in organizing the mass marriage ceremony was to cut down unnecessary expenses and also to follow the tradition of marriage in its truest sense.
Harish D'Souza Panja and Stella D'Souza spoke on behalf of the wedded couples.
Each couple was given Rs 10,000 worth of gifts, which included Rs 5,000 as fixed deposit, a saree and a pressure cooker.
The 21 couples included those from Raichur, Manjeshwar, Bangalore, Dakshina Kannada, Kasargod and Udupi.
Secretary of SSVP Maurice Monteiro thanked the gathering.