Bishop John Noonan | Diocese of Orland website

Bishop John Noonan is set to celebrate the Mass for Marriage at St. James Cathedral in Orlando on February 8, 2025. The event will include a renewal of vows for attending couples. Among those sharing their journey are Gissela and Jorge Cardona from Melbourne, who believe that their union was divinely orchestrated.

The couple met through mutual connections during challenging times in 2007. Gissela was impressed by Jorge's honesty about his financial struggles, while Jorge appreciated Gissela's grounded nature. They quickly formed a bond over shared life experiences and aspirations, eventually marrying civilly after a year of dating.

Although both were baptized Catholics, Jorge had distanced himself from the faith and began attending a Baptist church. Over time, Gissela expressed her desire to return to Catholic Mass, leading them to attend services at Our Lady of Lourdes in Melbourne.

Their marriage faced difficulties over the years, prompting them to explore Renovación Conyugal, a program aimed at strengthening marriages. Through this experience, they deepened their understanding of each other's spiritual needs and recommitted to their faith by receiving sacraments together.

Jorge noted the importance of mutual happiness in marriage: “For me to be happy, I must make my spouse happy.” Gissela emphasized forgiveness and spiritual growth as key components of their relationship. Both have committed to praying for each other daily and prioritize open communication with God at the center.

Father Juan Osorno’s guidance resonated with them: “Salvation is not a personal business... We are more connected than we can imagine.” This perspective has strengthened their resolve to support each other’s spiritual journeys.

The Cardonas continue to view their marriage as a path toward heaven, focusing on love as an inexhaustible source provided by God. They hope that others struggling in marriage might find similar solace through programs like Renovación Conyugal or Retrouvaille.