Mr and Mrs Peachey with Emeritus Archbishop Barry Hickey who celebrated their 60th anniversary Mass. Photo: Josh Low.
By Josh Low
Brian and Miriam Peachey have this year celebrated 60 years of marriage and commemorated the occasion with a Mass celebrated by Emeritus Archbishop Barry Hickey and concelebrants Fr Paul Carey and Fr Steven Casey at Our Lady of the Rosary Church, Woodlands Parish on 7 May.
The former Pregnancy Assistance Chairman spoke to The Record about married life and the 60 years spent with his wife, Miriam.
Mr and Mrs Peachey first met each other through their passion for athletics, with both Brian and Miriam involved in the athletics scene in their youth, with Miriam’s father being Brian’s athletics coach.
Romance blossomed from a young age as well as their devotion to the Virgin Mary.
Recounting the time they spent together in the early days of their relationship, Mr Peachey says that their mutual love of God and the rosary was a great source of guidance.
“When we were courting, we relied heavily upon the providence of almighty God in discerning His will for us.
“I can say without a doubt that every single time we went out, we said the rosary together. “Saying the rosary and attending Mass daily has become a practice that, thanks be to God, continues to this day,” he said.
After 60 years of marriage, Mr Peachey says that there have been so many things which have stood out in his memory.
“From having nine children to the privilege of meeting now Emeritus Pope Benedict XVI in 2010 and the marvellous time spent together with family, there are so many things to be thankful to God for,” he said.
Like every marriage however, Mr Peachey says that they have had to overcome difficulties together.
“We got married back in 1957 and Miriam married me when I was broke. Yet somehow we’ve managed to get through and here we are today.
“I’ve looked back and questioned how everything in our lives came together, after all the different struggles we’ve had.
“I truly believe it’s the work of almighty God, together with the protection of Our Blessed Mother,” he said.
Mr Peachey says that there is a lot of confusion in our society today about marriage, with a lessening of Christian values.
“We’re living in a secularised society, very different to the Christian society we were living in when we were married.
“The values still live on today but fewer people hold them to be true,” he said.
“I don’t think it’s easy to explain to the present generation of young people but the virtues of patience, understanding and love from when I was married are still relevant today, and it is God who is the only source.”
For anyone contemplating marriage or for those about to get married, he emphasised the importance of trust in each other and of having Christ at the centre of relationships and marriages, saying it is through God that one can see them flourish.
“In every human relationship, people will be intolerant of and impatient with each other.
“I think it’s natural that sometimes we can be very cross and grumpy and there always are arguments over certain things.
“But that is why it is so important to have God at the centre, so that husband and wife can learn and keep striving for the virtues of patience, understanding and love, which are all gifts given by the Lord.
“One only has to ask,” he said.