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GOOD MORNING.聽 Queen Victoria鈥檚 marriage to Prince Albert on this day in 1840 was arguably the most significant wedding of the nineteenth century for the history both of Great Britain and Europe and has been the focus of endless fascination for writers and dramatists since.

The last Saturday before Lent begins used to be one of the biggest wedding days of the year when, in many Christian traditions, marriages weren鈥檛 allowed during the six weeks between Ash Wednesday and Easter Sunday.聽

Royal marriages were often political arrangements but the anniversary of this famous love match reminds me that almost all the couples I help prepare for marriage are living, breathing antidotes to cynicism about the institution.聽 For me, their radiant, good-natured thankfulness at having found the one person in all the world they simply cannot live without is inspiring.聽

Taking responsibility for the welfare of others inside and without the relationship 鈥� what we call 鈥渟ociety鈥� 鈥� is still at the heart of the Christian understanding of marriage; and why all the churches plough huge amounts of personnel, time and money into family support.聽 It鈥檚 part of a massive investment in the common good by strengthening society鈥檚 fundamental building block: the family.

Some marriage statistics are depressing; but it鈥檚 easy to forget that though many marriages break down, over two thirds endure for life; and that, often, it is possible to come back from the brink.聽 I鈥檝e known marriages I had thought finished, saved by good counselling.

This anniversary of one historic marriage, is a good day to think with gratitude of the couples we know; and with compassion for those whose relationships are under strain or broken; and to acknowledge the hidden work of organisations like Relate and MarriageCare UK that have saved countless relationships.聽

Father, bless all committed unions of persons so that they become families and make a society where people find sanctuary, solace and fulfilment. AMEN