Mangalore, May 4, 2014: The 40th Mass Marriage ceremony organised by the St Vincent De Paul Society at Rosario Cathedral in the city on May 4, Sunday saw a total of 21 couples enter the wedlock. Mangalore Bishop Rev. Dr Aloysius Paul D’Souza was the main celebrant at a Eucharistic Mass held prior to the ceremony.
The Bishop who blessed the newly wed couples, exhorted them to lead a happy life with mutual understanding and trust.
A formal stage programme with the accompaniment of music bands was also arranged.
JR Lobo, MLA of Mangalore South who was present as a chief guest, spoke on the importance of the institution of marriage. It is a family which inculcates good values among its members, he said adding a good family will also help in the well being of the society.
He also expressed his resentment over lavish weddings which, he said was nothing but a waste of money.
Harish D’Souza and Stella D’Souza spoke on behalf of the newly married couples.
Fr JB Crasta, Parish Priest of Rosario Church, Maurice Monteiro, Secretary of St. Vincent De Paul Society and others were present.
The couples who tied the knot at the ceremony hailed from Dakshina Kannada, Kasargod, Udupi, Raichur, Manjeshwar and Bangalore. Gifts worth Rs 10,000 including a fixed deposit of Rs 5000, a saree and pressure cooker were given to each couple on behalf of the organisers.