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What is World
Marriage Day (WMD)?
World Marriage Day
honors husband and
wife as head of the
family; the basic
unit of society. It
salutes the beauty
of their
faithfulness,
sacrifice and joy in
daily married life.
The idea of
celebrating marriage
began in Baton
Rouge, Louisiana, in
1981 when a group of
couples decided to
encourage their
mayor, bishop and
governor to proclaim
St. Valentine's Day
as "We Believe in
Marriage Day". The
event was so
successful, the idea
spread to other
communities.
By 1982, 43
governors officially
proclaimed the day
and celebrations
spread to U. S.
Military bases in
several foreign
countries. In 1983,
the name was changed
to "World Marriage
Day", designated to
be each year on the
second Sunday in
February, and
emphasis was placed
on interfaith
participation. World
Marriage Day
celebrations
continue to grow and
spread to more
countries and faith
expressions every
year.
Click here to go to
the national WWME
World Marriage Day
site
Statement of Purpose
World Marriage Day
honors the lifelong
commitment of
husband and wife as
head of the family,
the basic unit of
society. It salutes
the beauty of
couple's fidelity,
sacrifice, and joy
in daily married
life. The day
elevates public
awareness of the
positive aspects of
marriage.
World Marriage Day
Symbol
The World Marriage
Day symbol speaks
readily of the role
and values of
marriage. A couple,
seen symbolically as
two candle-like
figures, reminds us
that married love
calls us to help
enlighten the world.
The couple is joined
by a heart, focusing
on love as the power
that fosters unity
within the couple
and generates the
capacity to be
life-giving and
inspire others to
fruitfulness and
unity. |
