2026 Wedding Anniversary Mass
Date posted on June 4, 2026
On Sunday, May 31, 2026, the Cathedral Basilica of Christ the King was filled with gratitude, love, and countless cherished memories as 350 couples from across the Diocese of Hamilton gathered to celebrate milestone wedding anniversaries.
Organized by the Diocese’s Family Ministry Office, the annual Wedding Anniversary Mass brought together couples celebrating 25, 40, 50, 60, and more years of marriage.
The Mass was celebrated by Most Reverend Joseph Dabrowski, CSMA, Bishop of Hamilton, with concelebrants including Bishop Wayne Lobsinger, Bishop Douglas Crosby, Monsignor Murray Kroetsch, Reverend David Wynen, and priests serving throughout the Diocese of Hamilton.
Among those recognized were Donata and Maria Ciccarelli, celebrating their 76th wedding anniversary; John and Irene Timko, celebrating 75 years of marriage; and Archie and Jean Damiani, celebrating 74 years together. Their witness, along with that of so many other couples present, offered a powerful reminder of God’s faithfulness through the decades.
In his homily, Bishop Dabrowski reflected on the extraordinary collective witness gathered within the Cathedral:
“Together you represent an astonishing 15,555 years of married life.”
He noted that within the Cathedral that afternoon there was: “More wisdom, patience, forgiveness, and experience gathered in this cathedral than in many libraries.”
The Bishop reminded couples that while society often focuses on longevity, the true beauty of marriage is found in the daily choice to love, forgive, and begin again:
“A successful marriage is not the union of two perfect people. It is the union of two people who continue to forgive, love and are open to start and begin again. Prayer and forgiveness go hand in hand. No marriages survive for 25, 40, 50, 60, 76 years without forgiveness."
Drawing a connection between the celebration and the Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity, Bishop Dabrowski reflected on the Sacred Heart of Jesus as a model for married love: “The Heart of Jesus is patient, faithful and forgiving and self-giving. Married love is called to be the same.”
As the Diocese celebrated these remarkable milestones, the witness of these couples served as a powerful testament to love rooted in faith, commitment, sacrifice, and God’s enduring presence.
We extend our heartfelt congratulations to all of the couples who celebrated anniversary milestones this year and thank them for their inspiring witness to the vocation of marriage.
