Every year, National Marriage Week is February 7-14 and World Marriage Day is the second Sunday of February. In 2025, our Diocese of Orange is undertaking a special project, inspired by the California Bishops’ Radiate Love Initiative and the Vatican document “Catechumenal Pathways for Married Life.”
About Radiate Love
Over the last two years, the National Eucharistic Revival has ushered the Catholic faithful into a greater faith and appreciation for the amazing sacramental gift of our Lord, who draws us to himself through our communion in his Body and Blood. As a practical way to incarnate the grace of the Revival into our families and communities, the bishops of California are dedicating the 2024-2025 pastoral year to helping the Catholic faithful renew and deepen our lived experience of the Sacrament of Marriage – which is modeled on the irrevocable covenantal love of God for his people expressed in the Eucharist.
Under the title Radiate Love, every Catholic community is invited to participate in this initiative, which officially launched on July 28, 2024.
With the Radiate Love Initiative, parishes are encouraged to celebrate National Marriage Week and World Marriage Day 2025 in a special way locally while the Diocese undertakes the Marriage Catechumenate Summit project this February. See CCC’s resource kit for World Marriage Day 2025.
About National Marriage Week and World Marriage Day
Every year, National Marriage Week is February 7-14 and World Marriage Day is the second Sunday of February.
National Marriage Week coincides with the week leading up to Valentine’s Day, making it the perfect time to celebrate the joys and virtues that marriage brings into our lives. Research consistently demonstrates that married couples experience great health, financial stability, and personal happiness. Moreover, it provides the best environment for raising children, offering them a better chance at life.
Join National Marriage Week in celebrating love beyond words and creating a lasting impact on the institution of marriage. For more information and to get involved, visit www.MarriageWeek.org. The US Bishops also provide Catholic resources for marriage and National Marriage Week at foryourmarriage.org.
"Our Story of Love" - share your story ❤
With the “Our Story of Love” initiative, we invite married couples to share your stories to your children and loved ones. You can fill out the below online form with answers to our inspiring questions or use your own ideas to tell your stories. Once submitted, the form sends your stories via email to up to 5 recipients of your choosing.
This is a great way for families to discover stories they never knew about their parents. It’s also an opportunity for couples to reconnect with important people from their wedding with whom they may have lost touch. The hope is that married couples will share about your experiences of sacramental marriage as faithful witnesses, conveying the love of Christ to your children and loved ones.
There are 5 optional questions provided, but feel free to skip the ones you don’t want to answer by clicking ‘Next.’ You are also able to upload an image to go with your stories!
Para español – Cuéntanos tu Cuento de Amor
Here are more ways couples can observe National Marriage Week (Feb. 7-14) and World Marriage Sunday (2nd Sunday of February):
- Celebrate National Marriage Week At Home! (PDF Flyer with tips and ideas)
- At-Home National Marriage Week Daily Retreat Guide (from the USCCB)
- Novenas for Married Couples (PDF Flyer with links)
- World Marriage Sunday/Valentine’s Day Date Night In Kit
The Diocese of Orange Office for Family Life offers many resources for married couples to help enrich and strengthen your marriage. Please check out our marriage enrichment webpage to see what is available. You can also sign up for our Diocese of Orange Marriage Formation Newsletter delivered quarterly to your email!