St. Norbert College Alumni Couples Communal Vow Renewal Homily
Saturday, June 5, 2010
Rev. Dr. R. C. De Peaux, O. Praem.
Today is a day of and for memories. Remembering is one of the most joyful and powerful of human emotions. Your memories began here on the campus of St. Norbert College. Your relationship blossomed here, was nurtured here and matured here and your relationship became permanent here. And that led to your marital union.
The most joyous of occasions is the union of a man and a woman in the celebration of life. I am sure you have found that we do not just live life. We celebrate it. I always reminded couples on their wedding day of that important fact. And we are reminded of that fact here again this afternoon because of you. As your wedding day was a celebration of life for the two of you. So today we all celebrate life and we thank all of you for helping us feel that emotion. You remind us all of the primary and most essential human and divine quality – LOVE! Love is a beautiful and comforting word. Love is a precious and consoling word. Love is a sacred word.
Without love life loses its meaning. We were all created out of love, to express and give love and to receive love in return. Every other human endeavor is contained and reflected in love. Everything you do on a personal level, social level or professional level is measured and motivated by the love that is within you. Love is sharing. And unless love is shared it doesn’t really exist. To love is to see and cherish the other as a unique person, deep, wonderful and different. You know that the harmony you have sought throughout your married life has been achieved through real love. Love is our inner most being that we communicate to others. It is our trust, our hope, our joy, our kindness, our understanding, our gentle touch, our tender caress, our perseverance, our faithfulness. How well you all know that love is sharing, NOT possessions-, not what we have, but what we are.
As St. Paul reminds us: “Love is patient and kind, never jealous, never rude or selfish, does not take offense and is not resentful. It is always ready to excuse, to trust, to hope, and to endure whatever comes.” Love does not come to an end! All of you remind us of that today. We, at St. Norbert College love you, cherish you, and bless you!
Remember that the hallmark of St. Norbert College is a caring community, concerned for one another as members of one family. That is the key word of this campus: Administrators, professors, staff and students are one caring, loving entity. And remember that you our alumni always remain part of this loving family.
