Love secrets: Six couples share their marriage advice

By Maria Wiering
mwiering@CatholicReviwe.org
“What’s the best marriage advice you’ve ever received? What’s the secret to a strong marriage? What advice would you offer newlyweds?”
The Catholic Review posed those questions to several happily married couples in the Archdiocese of Baltimore. Their answers highlight the commitment to love and family celebrated annually on World Marriage Day, Feb. 9.
In the past, the day was observed with a Mass at the Cathedral of Mary our Queen in Homeland. Beginning this year, the celebration will be observed in parishes. Archbishop William E. Lori will celebrate a Mass honoring marriage and recognizing long-married couples Sept. 28 at the Cathedral.
72 years
“Share everything with each other.”
Mac Mechlinski, 94, married to Ella, 96

St. Joseph’s Passionist Monastery, Irvington
 
70 years
“You both have to give a little bit. We are very considerate of each other. We’ve gotten along with that our whole life.”
Agnes Nidali, 91, married to Thomas, 91

St. Anthony of Padua/Most Precious Blood, Baltimore
 
44 years
“Remember to say ‘I love you’ often. Keeping your faith in God as a priority helps to make everything work out.”
Jacquelene Sharp Massey, 66, married to James, 68

New All Saints, Baltimore
 
33 years
“Have a lot of communication and respect each other. Don’t try to make the other person the way you are.”
Antonio Ramirez, 64, married to Mona, 62

St. John, Westminster
12 years
“Kind words are just huge. Every single day, the way you speak about each other (matters). … Make a habit of using kind words with each other.”
Amy Donahue, 36, married to Chris, 36

St. Agnes, Catonsville
4 years
“The duty of every wife is to uphold the dignity of her husband. … I’ve found that just praising, loving and respecting my husband every day, especially when he’s down or I don’t want to because I’m mad at him, makes a world of difference.”
Lauren Yanike, 33, married to Anders, 36

St. Timothy, Walkersville

Also see:
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