Following Pope Francis’ invitation to use to occasion of St. Valentine’s Day to support and encourage married couples to grow in love and in mercy (The Joy of Love, n. 208), the Archdiocese of Montreal is inviting all couples, parishes and communities to celebrate the World Marriage Day on Sunday, February 9, 2020.

The Centre for Marriage, Life and the Family is happy to collaborate with the Worldwide Marriage Encounter to promote this special day.

Special Mass at the Cathedral

All married couples are invited to attend a special, bilingual mass on Saturday, February 8, 2020 at 5pm at Mary Queen of the World Cathedral which will be celebrated by Archbishop Christian Lépine. During this mass, couples will be invited to remember the day of their marriage and renew their wedding vows.

Parish Resources

Resources for parishes, ecclesial movements and couples to celebrate World Marriage Day have been made available by the Worldwide Marriage Encounter movement and the For Your Marriage Initiative.

History of the World Marriage Day

World Marriage Day, sponsored by the Worldwide Marriage Encounter  movement, desires to honor husbands and wives as the foundation of the family, and to support them in the vows they made on their wedding day. This day is celebrated annually throughout the world on the second Sunday of February. In 1993, Pope Saint John Paul II, imparted his Apostolic Blessings on World Marriage Day.

Suggestions for the Prayers of the Faithful:

For all married couples, that they may continue to grow in mutual love and in friendship with God, let us pray to the Lord.

For all those who are preparing for marriage that they may be surrounded with friends and witnesses who can help them to discern and to grow in love together, let us pray to the Lord.

For all those who have been deceived and wounded in their desire for happiness and love, that they pay find peace and joy, in your love, Lord, in the service of others, let us pray to the Lord.