Each year, the Archdiocese of Perth celebrates the sacred vocation of marriage with the annual Marriage Day Mass that brings together couples from across the Archdiocese to give thanks for the blessings of married life and to renew their commitment to one another before God.
This year’s Marriage Day Mass, facilitated by Catholic Family & Justice Support Services, will be celebrated on Saturday 29 August 2026, at 10.00am, in St Mary’s Cathedral.
Married couples, their families and friends are warmly invited to take part in this joyful celebration that will include a special blessing for families and the presentation of commemorative certificates to those couples celebrating significant wedding anniversaries in 2026.
This year’s celebration also marks the 50th Anniversary of Worldwide Marriage Encounter in Western Australia, acknowledging its long-standing ministry in supporting and enriching married life.
The annual Marriage Day Mass serves as a powerful reminder that marriage is far more than a legal contract or social institution. The Catholic Church teaches that the Sacrament of Matrimony is a sacred covenant in which husband and wife are united by God, receiving the grace needed to live lives of mutual love, forgiveness and service.
Pope Francis frequently described marriage as a journey rather than a destination, encouraging husbands and wives to grow together in holiness through the ordinary moments of family life.
In a society where lifelong commitment can often be challenged, married couples who remain faithful through both good and difficult times offer a compelling witness to the Gospel.
Over the years, the Marriage Day Mass has become an important occasion to honour married couples – from newlyweds to those marking milestone years of married life.
While every marriage experiences moments of joy and hardship, these couples demonstrate that enduring love is nurtured through daily acts of kindness, prayer, forgiveness and trust in God’s grace.
The celebration is also an opportunity for the wider Church to acknowledge the invaluable contribution married couples make to parish life and society.
Christian families are often described as the ‘domestic Church,’ where children first encounter the love of God, learn to pray, and experience faith lived out in everyday life. Strong marriages help build strong families, vibrant parishes and compassionate communities.
For younger couples preparing for marriage, or those in the early years of married life, the witness of long-married couples provides encouragement and hope. Seeing decades of faithful love celebrated publicly reminds us that lasting marriages are possible when Christ remains at the centre of family life.
The annual Marriage Day Mass therefore becomes not only a celebration of those marking milestones but an inspiration for every married couple, regardless of where they are on their journey.
The liturgy also invites the faithful to pray for all marriages – those flourishing, those experiencing difficulties, and those grieving the loss of a spouse. It recognises that every marriage requires ongoing renewal, sustained through prayer, the sacraments and the support of the Christian community.
Whether celebrating a first anniversary or a diamond jubilee, every couple is invited to renew their gratitude for God’s faithfulness and to receive His blessing for the years ahead.
Registration to participate/receive a commemorative certificate is essential. Visit: https://www.trybooking.com/DMQSX