IMAGE: CNS/Paul Haring
By Junno Arocho Esteves
VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Each week dozens of newlyweds, dressed
again in their wedding gowns and tuxedoes, come to the Vatican to receive a
special papal blessing as they begin their lives together.
“It’s always been a dream of mine, since I was little,
to come to the audience and see the Holy Father and see the newlywed couples. It’s
always been a very special way to celebrate a marriage,” newlywed Kelly
Michelle Byrne told Catholic News Service.
The Australian bride and her Scottish husband, Geaspar Byrne,
were married in Scotland Feb. 4 and were at the Vatican four days later to
attend the weekly general audience with Pope Francis.
Couples from around the world who have celebrated their
wedding recently are given special “sposi novelli,” that is,
“newlywed,” tickets to the audience and are seated in the VIP section.
They have a chance to greet the pope and receive his
blessing and a special rosary.
In their sharp suits and flowing white gowns, they stand out
from the thousands of pilgrims waving flags and dressed in sporty attire.
Complete strangers on the street or in the audience hall shout out congratulations
and tourists take their photos.
Bravely sporting a plaid Scottish kilt despite the chilly
temperatures, Geaspar said it was important as practicing Catholics for his
wife and him to receive a blessing from the pope and to hear some encouraging
words as they embark on their marital journey.
“Personally, I’m very positive on his messages about
integration and thinking of other people. Everything he says is useful advice
for marriage,” he told CNS Feb. 8.
Couples married two months or less may request the special
audience tickets. They will be ushered to the front if they arrive at the
Vatican wearing their wedding attire and carrying a copy of their sacramental
marriage certificate, signed by a priest.
Newlyweds
from the United States come as well.
Mercy Sister Mary Juanita Gonsalves, assistant coordinator of the
Bishops’ Office for U.S. Visitors to the Vatican, told CNS that between
2014-2016, there were about “1,000 individuals who requested newlywed/’sposi novelli’ tickets
through our office.”
St. John Paul II made a point of addressing a special greeting to
married couples during the weekly general audiences in the first months of his
pontificate. Since then, his successors have continued the tradition of greeting
and blessing newlywed couples after delivering their catechesis.
Addressing the newlywed couples Feb. 8, Pope Francis
encouraged them to “trust in the help of providence and not just in your own
abilities.”
“A marriage without the help of God cannot go forward;
we must ask for it every day,” the pope said.
Pope Francis “is very close to young people just like
St. John Paul II was. When he speaks, it’s in a simple manner that everyone
understands. Today, he encouraged us to always ask for the Lord’s help,” said
Marco Damiani.
Married to Stefania Dec. 8, Marco said that meeting the pope
was a crowning moment after months of marriage preparation in their parish.
Stefania told CNS the papal audience was a sign of a new
beginning in their lives together with the support of the church.
Catholic marriage is important “because there is a
strength that is given to us. Doing it alone through your own strength isn’t
enough; you won’t be able to go anywhere. It’s like having another”
helping hand, Stefania said.
When they met the pope at the end of the general audience,
they told him the joyful news that they were expecting their first child.
“We asked him to bless us and the new child we are
expecting, and he wanted to know when the baby will be born. We told him in
September and then he gave us his blessing,” Marco said.
Stefania added that Pope Francis also “told us to dream
about the baby first,” advice that ties into an image the pope often uses to
describe how God cares for his children.
“We, each one of us, has been dreamed of by (God) like
a father and a mother dream of the child they are expecting. And this gives us
great reassurance,” the pope said Oct. 13, 2016.
Catholic newlyweds aren’t the only ones hoping to receive
some encouraging words from the pope.
Seelan Mathiyaparanam, a Hindu, told CNS he enjoyed being
with his Catholic wife, Camilla Yogaseelan, as they shared an important moment
for her and her faith.
“It was very important for my religious belief that I
meet the pope and receive his blessing. I would be really amazed if I get
that,” Camilla said before heading into the audience hall and having her wish come true.
She also said she hoped the pope “will bless us with a
lot of happiness and love and that he will guide us on a religious path.”
Simone and Elisa Corpo, a newlywed couple from Rome, said
they were inspired by Pope Francis’ “positivity and trust” in their
new life together as husband and wife and that it was “important to
receive his blessing.”
“We will never forget this day,” Simone said as
Elisa smiled and added, “It’s a special day, an emotional day; in one
word: unforgettable.”
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Follow Arocho on Twitter: @arochoju.
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