Miguel Gonzalez is 81 years old and 46 of these years have been spent being married ‘only by civil law’ to the love of his life, Maria del Rosario Rochin, 73.
But on April 13, they finally decided to unite their lives with the sacrament of marriage and wed in the Church during a collective, or community wedding ceremony, along with 16 other couples.
“We’re doing this for our families – for our grandchildren and for our entire family,” said Miguel, after the conclusion of the ceremony.
MIGUEL GONZÁLEZ AND MARIA DEL ROSARIO ROCHIN EXCHANGE RINGS DURING A COMMUNITY WEDDING ON APRIL 13 AT CHRIST CATHEDRAL IN GARDEN GROVE. PHOTO BY CARLOS AVILES
“We feel happy and blessed,” added his wife, Maria del Rosario.
When asked why they waited so long to marry in the Church, the couple doesn’t have a ready answer. But they knew they had to make the step this year, no matter what — because Maria has stage 4 terminal cancer.
But despite the harsh diagnosis, Maria said that she has decided to live out the remainder of her life under the blessing of God and enjoy her family.
“We have to live and move forward,” she said.
Fr. Juan Navarro said community weddings allow couples who are Catholic and have never been married in the Church the opportunity to have their union blessed before God.
“Sometimes, due to economic reasons, couples don’t have wedding in Church, and we provide them with the space to marry inside the cathedral and for their union to be blessed,” outlined Fr. Navarro.
He continued: “People have always considered weddings to be very expensive, but after years of living together, they need the sacrament.”
SEVENTEEN COUPLES PARTICIPATED IN A COMMUNITY WEDDING CELEBRATED BY FR. JUAN NAVARRO ON APRIL 13 AT CHRIST CATHEDRAL. PHOTOS BY YUAN WANG/DIOCESE OF ORANGE
During the almost three-hour ceremony at the cathedral, the couples received Communion and God’s blessing. One by one, each couple exchanged vows and rings, with their Godparents by their side.
“The union of these couples is no longer sustained by human forces, but by God who comes in to strengthen their unity,” said Fr. Navarro.
Cesa Restis and Fabiola Martinez also participated in the ceremony. They both waited 20 years to take the step and the reason is simple.
“To be an example for our family,” said Cesar.
And for his wife, the wedding was something special, despite sharing the church with 16 other couples.
“For us, the community wedding was nice because apart from being economical, everything was very nice,” Fabiola said.
The daughters of Miguel and Maria could not hide their happiness and said that they have always seen the blessing and strength of God in their parents even before they married in the Church.
“They have always had a beautiful union, even though they were married only civilly,” said Erica Francisca Salas, one of the couple’s three daughters.
“Since her [Maria’s] diagnosis, we thought she was going to decline, but it was the opposite. She became more full of life.”
Christ Cathedral offers marriage counseling every third Sunday of the month, from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. in the Large Gallery on campus. It is recommended to arrive early.
Couples must attend at least one meeting at least nine months prior to the date they want to get married.
Requirements include: Baptismal certificates, First Communion certificates, Confirmation certificates, a prenuptial questionnaire and legal documentation if a civil union has taken place.
Fr. Navarro added that the Church is here to help couples with the process, not to complicate it.
“Do not think that it is complicated,” he said. “The most important thing is to meet with your priest and express your desire. He is there to facilitate your process. The Church wishes with all its heart that you get married.”
Interested couples can register online at https://www.christcathedralcalifornia.org/marriage/ or by calling (714) 971-2141.