Dubai: As the UAE celebrated the 40th anniversary of the Spirit of the Union, another kind of union took place yesterday morning in Dubai — 49 couples of various nationalities got married at St Mary's Catholic Church.
Initiated by the Filipino Community, the Mass Wedding Programme aims to "encourage couples to solemnise their vows in church at minimal cost and time".
This year's occasion has been the biggest since the project started in 1994.
"In the history of St Mary's Church, this is the largest number of couples that we've had. There were 56 couples, but the others weren't able to submit their documents on time, so the list was cut down to 49," Fr Tomasito Veneracion, parish priest of St Mary's Church, who officiated at the mass wedding ceremony, told Gulf News.
"Some couples have already been married in a civil ceremony while others are getting married for the first time. Couples who have had a civil marriage are encouraged to get married in church as it is a requirement when we baptise their children later," he said.
Dream realised
The Candelaria couple was one of those who heeded Fr Veneracion's advice.
"We decided to get married at church for two reasons: for our union to be blessed, and to enable us to give service to the church," Jonalyn, who has been married to Philip for five years, said.
She added that the church's programme made her realise her dream.
"They are helping us achieve our dream to be married in a church in a way that is not expensive for us," Jonalyn said.
Indian expatriate Richard Diaz and wife, Pinky, had a civil marriage two years ago. Diaz said tying the knot in a church is an obligation and a rather different experience.
Nervous
"This marriage is an obligation [as members of this church]," he said, adding that despite having been married for two years "I'm still getting butterflies in my tummy, I cannot describe it. I'm literally sweating."
For Pelagia Datario, a Filipina who said ‘I do' to a Nepali, getting married in church was a second option.
"We tried to get married at the Philippine Consulate, but we couldn't do it there because my fiance is not Filipino. Another consideration is our finances. Getting married here at St Mary's is free of charge," Datario said.
