Rev. Brian J. Shanley, O.P. President | St. John's University website

Love was in the air at St. John's University as alumni couples returned to campus for the annual Blessing of the Couples Mass and reception. The event, held on February 10, was a long-standing tradition that celebrates the strength and beauty of lifelong partnerships.

The Mass, celebrated by University President Rev. Brian J. Shanley, O.P., took place in St. Thomas More Church on the Queens, NY, campus. The homilist for the evening was Deacon Rachid Murad ’94SVC. After the couples renewed their vows, a reception was held in the narthex.

Sara Hunt Munoz, Senior Director of Alumni Engagement, Office of Alumni Relations, expressed her excitement about attending the event for the first time. She said, "The Blessing of the Couples Mass allows everyone to reflect on the importance of nurturing relationships and cherishing the commitments we've made."

Among the alumni couples in attendance were Norman Jardine ’69C, ’73MBA and Joan Dukes ’68Ed, ’71G. The two were friends during their undergraduate years at St. John’s and reconnected years later. Ms. Dukes recalled, "We met in November of 1965. I was an alto and he was a bass." They found each other again at a meeting for singles and quickly realized they were meant to be. Mr. Jardine expressed their love and support for St. John's, saying, "We just love supporting St. John's, and tonight's event was very moving."

Another couple, Sean Strockyj, Esq. ’02L and Kirandeeo Madra, Esq. ’02L, met as students at the School of Law and reconnected years after graduating. They developed a friendship that lasted throughout the years and eventually became a couple. Mr. Strockyj shared their excitement about attending the Blessing of the Couples for the first time, saying, "I always said, 'We have to go to this and we finally made it.'"

During his homily, Deacon Murad addressed the decline of sacramental marriages over the last 50 years, emphasizing that it is not only a Catholic or Christian problem but a societal one. He highlighted the importance of marriage in establishing social order and emphasized the need for God to be the foundation of the sacrament of holy matrimony. Deacon Murad also urged the congregation to evangelize about the spiritual value of marriage and its role in giving life to the family.

The annual Blessing of the Couples Mass at St. John's University continues to bring alumni couples back to campus to celebrate their love stories and reflect on the importance of nurturing relationships.