03/01/2026
Homily for the Golden Wedding Anniversary of Mr. and Mrs. Romy and Lita Asuncion
Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,
Today is a day of grace, gratitude, and quiet joy. We gather around the altar of the Lord to celebrate a rare and beautiful blessing—the Golden Wedding Anniversary of Mr. and Mrs. Romy and Lita Asuncion. Fifty years of marriage is not simply a number. It is a journey. It is a testimony. It is a living proclamation that God is faithful.
In a time when commitments are easily broken and promises are often temporary, a marriage that has endured for five decades becomes a powerful Gospel message. Today, the Church does not only congratulate Romy and Lita; the Church thanks God for them—because their marriage has borne fruit not only in their family, but also in the life of the parish and the wider community.
The Word of God proclaimed today gives us the key to understanding their journey.
In the first reading from the Book of Tobit, we are given one of the most beautiful images of marriage in Sacred Scripture. On their wedding night, Tobiah and Sarah do not begin with celebration, pleasure, or self-centered joy. Instead, they kneel together and pray. And their prayer is simple but profound: “Grant that we may grow old together.”
This prayer reveals the true heart of Christian marriage. They do not ask for wealth, comfort, success, or an easy life. They ask for fidelity until old age, for the grace to remain united through time. Marriage, from the very beginning, is entrusted to God.
Today, Romy and Lita stand before us as the living answer to that prayer. Fifty years ago, they too entrusted their love to God. Over the years, they did not simply grow old together—they grew in faith together, they served together, and they offered their marriage as a gift to the Church. Their story tells us that when prayer is the foundation of marriage, love does not fade; it matures, it deepens, and it becomes fruitful.
The responsorial psalm proclaims: “Blessed the nation whose God is the Lord.” We may rightly say today: Blessed is the marriage whose God is the Lord. Blessed is the family whose hope rests in Him.
The psalm reminds us that God watches over those who trust in His mercy—not by removing all struggles, but by sustaining His people through them. Surely, Romy and Lita have experienced their share of trials: moments of uncertainty, sacrifice for their children, challenges in ministry, sickness, fatigue, and silent burdens known only to God. But through it all, they remained anchored in hope. Their fifty years testify that those who hope in the Lord are never abandoned.
In the second reading from Colossians, Saint Paul gives us a very concrete and realistic description of Christian love. He tells us to “put on” compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience, and forgiveness—as if love were a garment worn every day. These virtues are not optional decorations; they are daily necessities, especially in marriage.
Paul speaks clearly about forgiveness: “Bear with one another and forgive one another.” No marriage lasts fifty years without forgiveness. Love is not proven by the absence of conflict, but by the ability to forgive again and again. Forgiveness is what allows love to survive misunderstandings, disappointments, and human weakness.
Saint Paul then says something very important: “Above all, put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.” This love has clearly bound together not only the marriage of Romy and Lita, but also their shared service to the Church. Their love did not stop at the walls of their home; it flowed outward into ministry.
Sir Romy has served the Lord faithfully as a Parish Pastoral Council (PPC) leader. This role is not about authority or recognition; it is about servant leadership—listening to the needs of the community, discerning God’s will, guiding pastoral programs, and often carrying responsibilities quietly and patiently. Through this service, Sir Romy lived out Saint Paul’s exhortation to let the peace of Christ control his heart and to do everything in the name of the Lord.
Madam Lita, on the other hand, has embodied tireless and generous service. As a catechist, she helped form minds and hearts in the faith, planting seeds of belief that will bear fruit for generations. As a treasurer, she served with integrity and trust, handling resources not as her own, but as gifts entrusted by God. As a scholar formator, she guided and mentored young people, shaping not only their education but their character. And as a scholar benefactor and sponsor, she quietly opened doors for students who might otherwise have been left behind. Her generosity reflects a faith that is lived not only in words, but in concrete action.
Together, Romy and Lita show us that Christian marriage is not only about building a family; it is also about building the Church. Their shared ministry is a living example of Saint Paul’s words: “Whatever you do, in word or in deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”
In the Gospel from John, Jesus speaks words that perfectly capture the heart of today’s celebration: “As the Father loves me, so I love you. Remain in my love.” The key word is remain. Marriage is not sustained by emotion alone. Feelings change. Strength weakens. Youth fades. But love remains when it is rooted in Christ.
Jesus continues: “If you keep my commandments, you will remain in my love.” Love, therefore, is not merely a feeling; it is a decision, a commitment, an act of obedience. And what is His commandment? “Love one another as I love you.” Jesus loved faithfully, patiently, and sacrificially—even unto the Cross.
Romy and Lita’s fifty years of marriage reflect this Gospel love. They remained faithful—not because life was always easy, but because Christ remained with them. They loved not only each other, but also the Church they served.
To their children and grandchildren, today is a powerful lesson. You inherit not only a family name, but a legacy of faith, service, and generosity. To married couples, this celebration reminds us that love grows strong when it is nourished by prayer and lived in service. And to the whole community, we see that the quiet faithfulness of lay leaders sustains the life of the Church.
Romy and Lita, today the Church thanks God for your marriage, your ministry, and your witness. May Christ continue to remain in your love, grant you peace in your golden years, and reward your faithful service. And may your lives continue to proclaim that a marriage centlered on God becomes a blessing for many. Romy and Lita you are a blessing for many, especially on this parish you served and Loved.
When we look at Romy and Lita today, we are not only looking at a couple who survived fifty years—we are looking at a couple who lived those years with purpose. Their marriage was not perfect, but it was faithful. Not loud, but steadfast. Not centered on themselves, but always open to others.
Their golden anniversary reminds us that the Church is not built only by priests and religious, but by faithful husbands and wives who turn their homes into schools of love and their marriage into a ministry. Their lives proclaim that when a couple kneels together before God, their love becomes a blessing for generations.
Romy and Lita, thank you for teaching us that love can last, faith can endure, and service can remain joyful. Your marriage is not just your story—it is our blessing.
And for that, we say: Salamat. Purihin ang Diyos sa inyong buhay. Amen.
- Fr Ajjieboy
