All weddings are beautiful; some are special; still others are incredibly special

As a Permanent Deacon I have now been prominently involved in over 25 weddings including most where I prepared the couple, delivered the homily and/or received the vows.  There is not a single wedding that has not filled me with many blessings, incredible joy and lifted me spiritually.  To witness two young people commit to the Sacrament, to embrace the need for God to be prominent in not only there wedding but their marriage too, is pure joy.  I had the incredible privilege to witness and preach my own daughter's wedding; I blogged about that experience a bunch back in April 2016.  I still remember my first wedding after ordination, Lindsey and Barry!  I've witnessed marriages in both of the church parishes where I have been assigned, St. Jane de Chantal in Abita Springs and Most Holy Trinity in Covington.  I have also witnessed marriages in some of the most beautiful churches of New Orleans like historic St. Patrick's on Camp, St. Mary's Assumption in the Irish Channel, the beautiful chapel of the Academy of the Sacred Heart on historic St. Charles Avenue.  Last night I can add St. Stephen's Catholic Church, the Church dedicated to the Permanent Deacons of the Archdiocese of New Orleans and just beautifully renovated.

Here is a picture taken during last night's wedding:

The incredible mural right over the main altar depicts the stoning of St. Stephen, the proto-martyr of the Catholic Church and near the doors of entrance of the church is a memorial to all the Permanent Deacons who have gone before us.

Now I mentioned earlier just how special a wedding can be, and I guess I'm basing that on the relationship.  Believe me, they all are special but outside of my own daughter's wedding there has always been, in my mind, two weddings I just wanted to be involved with, for special personal reasons.  One such reality came true just three months ago when I witnessed the vows of Annie & Charles.  This young lady has been known to my family since a little girl and is the daughter of a couple that are very important and special to us.  And then the second one was last night, assisting at the wedding mass of Sarah and Dave.  Sarah became a friend of my daughter way back in 1st or 2nd grade, I developed a really nice relationship with her dad, a wonderful, lovely man who left us way too early some time ago.  Thanks to my daughter, we got to meet her husband Dave probably some 7-8 years ago and we knew that Sarah had met her life partner.  They are one of the happiest couples I have ever met.

The wedding, the reception, the events of their preparation for marriage; just perfect.  I pray the same for their wedded life together; as I do for all couples I prepare and witness the marriage event.  You know I really wonder sometimes if the couples I marry really know just how important to me their relationships are, the way we get to prepare and plumb the depths of all things so personal, so intimate and how so deeply I pray for their happiness and for the hope that in all things, all times, they keep Jesus at the center of that married life.

So I pray God's abundant blessings on Sarah and Dave today; and on all those many beautiful couples who have blessed me by trusting me to be a small part in their most happiest of days.  I love each and everyone of these beautiful couples, it has been my honor and privilege to be a part of your marriage and I will never forget anyone of you as I am called to pray for each of you often.

To Sarah and Dave, thank-you, your wedding was as beautiful as I imagined, as will your life together.  So honored to be a part of such a special day; and yes, I felt the presence of your dad last night Sarah and it made me smile!

God's Blessings to Sarah and Dave and all the beautiful couples that will always be "my" couples!