A groom flashes a peace sign at wedding-goers while processing out of St. Mary’s Church in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, after having his marriage sacramentally blessed at the Marriage Mass on Oct. 19, 2024. / Credit: Nicholas Elbers/The B.C. Catholic

Vancouver, Canada, Nov 23, 2024 / 07:00 am (CNA).

Sometimes it just takes moving across the world to understand the value of a sacramental marriage. At least that’s what it took for Eddelyn and Mario John, two recent arrivals to Canada from the Philippines. They were one of 19 couples whose marriages were sacramentally blessed at the Marriage Mass at St. Mary’s in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, one of three such events across the archdiocese this year.

In total 121 couples had their marriages convalidated this year in the archdiocese, a substantial increase from last year’s 42.  

Eddelyn and Mario met almost two decades ago while Eddelyn was working at a farm supply store where Mario would come to purchase feed. Things developed quickly, and the couple married after only three months of courting.

At the time, the couple embodied a certain cultural Catholicism. Mario’s family urged them to have a church wedding, but they declined.

“I always said we were good — it’s OK,” Eddelyn recalled. “As long as we always go to church every Sunday, it’s OK.”

Soon, they were pregnant, and their daughter was born before their first wedding anniversary.

Life continued apace, but something always felt like it could be better. They weren’t unhappy and had a good family life with their daughter. It wasn’t until they were apart that things clicked for Eddelyn and Mario.

In 2019, an opportunity arose for them to immigrate to Canada. One of Mario’s favorite uncles encouraged the couple to make the journey, but COVID delayed their plans, and he passed away before they made the move.

Eddelyn was finally accepted for a student visa last year. Because of delays with their daughter’s visa application, she made the trip alone, arriving in Canada in December 2023 to start her studies in business management.

At the first Canadian Mass she attended at St. Mary’s in Vancouver, someone announced that the Marriage Mass was coming up on Oct. 19 — the birthday of her beloved uncle who had passed away.

Eddelyn saw this as a sign, and she and Mario decided that if they could get their marriage sacramentally validated in Canada, they would.

“We want to be part of the seven sacraments of the Church,” Mario said.

As anyone dealing with Immigration Canada knows, getting the paperwork done can be a nightmare. Still, as fate would have it, everything was finalized in time for Mario to bring their daughter to Canada for the Marriage Mass. Their application to have their marriage blessed barely made this year’s deadline, submitted the day before the cutoff.

“We have a desire to live out our spiritual commitment — I think it’s in God’s perfect timing,” Eddelyn said.

“A religious ceremony provides a sense of fulfillment,” Eddelyn said. “Those are the steps that are quite meaningful for our whole family. It is a fulfillment for those in heaven as well.”

Their daughter, who struggles with communication due to hearing problems, was also happy. “We saw through her face that she was very happy,” Eddelyn said.

In addition to an honor guard by the Knights of Columbus and music by a joint St. Mary’s choir, couples were each given six tickets to a catered reception after Mass so they could celebrate with friends and family.

This story was first published by The B.C. Catholic and has been adapted by CNA. It is reprinted here with permission.