For the Gold and Silver Jubilee slide show go to http://diosav.org/73years
By Barbara D. King Savannah Sebastian and Emma Orsini were the center of attention at the Golden and Silver Wedding Anniversary Celebration at the Cathedral of Saint John the Baptist on Valentine’s Day.

Married in 1937, the happy couple charmed all present with their secrets for a lasting relationship: never go to bed mad; insist that the family gather together for dinner once a week; never take problems or yourselves too seriously.

The Orsinis were among more than 70 couples celebrating milestone anniversaries, most of them 25th and 50th, at the annual service held during Mass on World Marriage Day each February. Couples renew their marriage vows during the Mass. The Diocesan Office of Family Life sponsors the annual celebration.

Before and after the Mass Bishop J. Kevin Boland took photos with the couples. In recognition of their distinction for longest-married couple, Bishop Boland presented the Orsinis with a crystal cross.

A large representation of their family—five children and close to 50 grandchildren and great-grandchildren (a new one is always on the way) — was present beaming with pride. The Orsinis’ love story began in 1936 at Sebastian’s father’s grocery store, when his brother introduced him to the lovely Irish teen-ager who was a new customer. Sebastian invited Emma to a Benedictine Military School dance at the Desoto Hotel. She said “yes” because she had a new dress she was dying to wear.

She likes to tell the story of how he tripped over a rock in a water display at the hotel. “He fell for me the first day”. Their “mixed” heritage threatened their relationship initially—she was an Irish Methodist, he an Italian Catholic—but her personality soon won his family over. She converted to Catholicism and when children came the two made sure they were at Mass every Sunday. Today the couple belong to Saint Peter the Apostle Parish on Wilmington Island.

“We’re the happiest couple you’ve ever seen in your life,” Sebastian proudly proclaims. The couple once again sealed their relationship with a kiss after restating their vows Sunday.

To read a list of all the anniversary couples and their parishes, go to http://www.diosav.org/marriagejubilee.

Candid photos and reception images available here.

Formal portraits available here.