In Santo Domingo, a solemn ceremony brought together 78 couples who united in a marriage through a traditional Mass Wedding. The officiating parish priest described the event as a demanding, team-centered journey that aims to affirm and safeguard the values that underlie marriage, emphasizing commitment, mutual respect, and lifelong partnership.
The occasion marked the nineteenth edition of the Mass Wedding program, an initiative run by the Monte de Dios Horeb International Ministry. This ministry, led by pastors Miguel and Montserrat Bogaert, seeks to guide families toward stronger bonds by reinforcing the foundations of married life and encouraging transformative changes within couples. The overseeing priest underscored that society benefits when marriage values are preserved and nurtured, calling on couples to persevere through challenges and to seek a covenant based in Jesus Christ, whom he described as the solid rock on which a lasting, loving relationship is built. The message stressed that marriage serves as the origin of every family, and strengthening this union in alignment with spiritual principles provides couples with practical tools to build homes rooted in shared values and peace.
Before a temple filled with couples and an unobstructed audience, Bogaert spoke about the church’s commitment to supporting marriages and addressing the risk of divorce, which is framed as a threat to family stability. The emphasis was on resilience and the effort required to keep families intact, even when times are tough.
With most of the attention directed toward brides, Pastor Montserrat Bogaert reiterated that marriage should reflect a permanent, constructive relationship. The focus was on creating a home built on mutual respect, love, purity, understanding, and fidelity, rather than merely a house. The ceremonial exchange of rings and the visible emotion among the participants highlighted the significance of the vows being renewed in front of witnesses, reinforcing the sense of accountability and commitment within the community.
According to the organization, Pastor Bogaert has spent more than twenty-five years counseling couples and assisting thousands of marriages in crisis or on the verge of separation. This track record serves as a foundation for the ministry’s ongoing work to restore harmony in households and to provide guidance for couples seeking to overcome significant marital challenges. The broader aim is to empower families by delivering practical advice, spiritual resources, and ongoing support that encourage healthy, enduring partnerships.
Participants and observers alike noted the emotional impact of the event, with many brides expressing joy as they reaffirmed their commitments. The ceremony served not only as a celebration but also as a reaffirmation of values, inviting couples to invest in a long-term vision of family life that is anchored in faith, mutual care, and shared purpose. The pastoral leadership framed the Mass Wedding as more than a ceremony; it is a rite of renewal that invites families to align daily living with the ideals of love, respect, and fidelity, creating a stable environment for children and future generations. (Source: Monte de Dios Horeb International Ministry)