Bangalore, Nov 8: What is the secret of a successful married life? This is a question that one often asks a couple, when they celebrate their marriage anniversaries. If the same question is asked of a couple, who is celebrating the silver jubilee of their marriage, or better still, if it is asked of not one or two but hundred couples, what might be the answer? This question arose at a simple but meaningful function organized by the Konkan Catholic Association, Mathikere, for offering a thanksgiving mass in their mother-tongue Konkani in honour of 100 couple who had celebrated 25 or more years marital bliss together at the Stella Maris Chapel at Vyalikaval near Sadashivanagar in Bangalore on Sunday. The occasion was made more memorable by the presence of Archbishop of Bangalore Archdiocese Rev Dr Bernard Moras.

With Mangalorean Konkani Catholic Couples, who had gathered from different parts of the city unmindful of the slight November drizzle and a melodious singing of Konkani hymns by the KCA choir, the Archbishop as the main celebrant, in his homily, reminded the couples of their marital vows and the various ups and downs in their lives. Apart from the couples from different parts of Bangalore, some from Mangalore and Udupi had also taken part in the celebration.

Narrating an anecdote in the life of the US automobile mogul, Henry Ford, when he celebrated the golden jubilee of his world famous Ford company and the silver jubilee of his wedding, the Archbishop said the answer given by Ford to questions from reporters for the success was very touching: ``The changing of models every year helped the company in its success. But sticking to one model with my loving wife is the secret of my married life.’’

Love, loyalty to the spouse, understanding and a prayerful family life is essential if marriages have to be successful. The couples, who celebrate the silver jubilee of their wedding and have lived a happy married life for more than 25 years, should also remember that they should not needlessly interfere in the married lives of their children and content themselves with giving support, understanding and advice only when necessary lest they come in the way of the successful married lives of their children, the Archbishop said. At the end of the mass, the Archbishop presented each of the Silver Couples with a rose and blessed them.

Significantly, a sum of Rs 11,758 was collected during the offertory at the mass and presented to the Archbishop for the Bangalore Archdiocese’s Asha Foundation, to help needy poor children in their studies. Over 2,500 poor children have already been helped for their education under the Asha Foundation, the Archbishop said.

``This is a very wonderful idea and a meaningful celebration. I wish such programmes become a regular feature. We need to encourage togetherness in married life. In the present context, when more and more marriages are broken or end in divorces, these kind of programmes are very much necessary,’’ remarked Paul Castelino, who had come all the way from Udupi to attend the function.

An interesting feature of the entire celebration was the presentation of a brief but meaningful variety entertainment with a skit by the members of the KCA, some fun-filled games conducted by Lionel D’Souza to select the oldest married couple and also an interesting housie game to choose a winner, who was unlucky to see his number called till the end of the game.