Garden Grove, Calif. (Feb. 3, 2022) — Bishop Kevin Vann of the Diocese of Orange will preside over the World Marriage Day Mass at Christ Cathedral at 7 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 7.

This special Mass celebrates the joy of Christian marriage. In the Catholic Church tradition, marriage is one of the seven holy sacraments, uniting a man and woman as one body in Christ. World Marriage Day also honors the husband and wife as the foundation of the family, the basic unit of society. It salutes the beauty of their faithfulness, sacrifice and joy in daily married life.

This year’s World Marriage Day Mass is based on the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ 2022 theme, “Called to the Joy of Love.” The Mass also serves as a kickoff event for National Marriage Week, which goes from Feb. 7 to 14.

Attendees can RSVP by visiting rcbostage.wpengine.com/marriage.

Media Pass Required

If photographing or covering this event, please email tkincaid@rcbo.org and bzint@rcbo.org for a media pass, which allows you to enter the Christ Cathedral campus and the cathedral.

History of World Marriage Day

The idea of celebrating marriage began in Baton Rouge, La., in 1981, when couples encouraged the mayor, governor and Bishop to proclaim St. Valentine’s Day as We Believe in Marriage Day. The event was so successful that the idea was adopted by Worldwide Marriage Encounter’s national leadership. 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 celebrated each year on the second Sunday in February. In 1993, his Holiness, Pope John Paul II, imparted his Apostolic Blessings on World Marriage Day. The celebrations continue to grow and spread to more countries and faith expressions every year.

About the Roman Catholic Diocese of Orange

With 1.3 million Catholics, 56 parishes, five Catholic centers and 35 schools, the Roman Catholic Diocese of Orange is one of the largest and most diverse faith communities in the United States. The Diocese empowers Catholics across Orange County to have an active life of faith that is integrated and woven into the fabric of their daily lives through the community and sacramental life of the Church. Under the leadership of Bishop Kevin Vann, the Diocese works to establish and support dynamic, vibrant parishes and schools welcoming all to live the Gospel with faith, joy, charity and unity. Christ Cathedral, the spiritual home of the Bishop of Orange, was dedicated in July 2019.
Learn more about the Diocese of Orange at rcbostage.wpengine.com.

Pastoral Center: 

• Office of Communications
• 13280 Chapman Avenue, Garden Grove, CA 92840
• Office: 714-282-3075            
• Fax: 714-282-3029