Do you know what links . . .
. . . Licia and Settimio Manelli to couples today?
Well, it’s World Marriage Day, celebrated on the second Sunday of February! This lovely idea kicked off back in the 1980s in the US, thanks to some devoted lay married couples, and in 1993 it got the blessing of none other than Pope John Paul II.
This special day shines a spotlight on the sacramental bond of marriage and how vital it is for families to thrive. It’s not just about the celebration; it’s about honouring the joy, fidelity, and sacrifices that married couples experience in their daily lives. Every year, a holy or beatified married couple is chosen as the patron couple for the event, and this year, we’re celebrating the incredible Licia and Settimio Manelli from Italy! Their spiritual guide was Padre Pio, who often held them up as superb examples of Christian spouses living by the Gospel’s principles, remaining faithful to Jesus and the teachings of the Church. Inspired by this remarkable friar, Licia and Settimio took on the role of Franciscan tertiaries. They also saw their son go on to found the Franciscan Friars of the Immaculate, a community where the members commit to living a life inspired by Mary, alongside their vows of chastity, poverty, and obedience. How inspiring is that?
