60th Wedding Anniversary ~ The Priceless Diamond Years

Mr and Mrs M. Fabia

Sandakan: Every marriage matters, because marriage comes from the hand of God. God brings a man and a woman together to love and support each other. Their love becomes visible in the children they bring into the world and in their acts of generous service. The love between spouses symbolizes Christ’s love for the church. One such couple, married for 60 years is an excellent model and a manifestation of Catholic marriage.

Mr Marcelino Fabia came to Sabah (then British North Borneo) early 1948. He met a beautiful and charming local lass, Florence Dominic, and after a year of courtship, he married her on 18^th April 1949 at St Mary’s Church, Sandakan.

Blessing by Fr. Thomas Makajil

Sixty (60) years later, on 18^th April 2009, by the divine grace of God they again exchanged their marriage vows and commitments at St Mary’s Cathedral, Sandakan, celebrated by Rev. Fr Thomas Makajil, rector of the Cathedral whereby about 300 family members and friends witnessed the joyful and auspicious Diamond Jubilee celebration of their love and fidelity. The ceremony reminded us of St Paul’s teaching that marriage bears witness to the indissoluble love of Christ for his Church.

Mr and Mrs M. Fabia with the rector

Both husband and wife had been very active in Church activities through their generous acts of service. Mr Marcelino Fabia donated a piece of land at Mile 28, Labuk Road with a chapel, hostel and a bungalow built on it which is now the Diocesan Retreat Centre. He played an important role and contributed towards the construction and completion of the St Mary’s Parish Hall in 1987 and St Mark’s Church in 1992.

Mr Fabia and Florence were founder members of the Neo-Catechumenal Way established in 1982 and together they stayed and remained as faithful members for 20 years. They served as animators of the English RCIA program when it was first introduced in St Mary’s Church in 1985. Pooling their resources together, they had successfully churned out many loyal Catholics. They had responded to the great commission, in the Christian tradition to spread the teaching to all the nations of the world. He initiated the formation of the Filipino Pastoral Community where he was elected as the founder Chairman and served for two terms from 1990-1994. Florence was a founder member of the St Mary’s Catholic Women’s League in 1970. She remains as an auxiliary member of the league until today.

Ferdee Mariano, a close family friend, when asked what help sustain the couples’ marriage, has this to say; ‘By far their marriage stays intact based on the set of values of trust, faith and effective communication.’

Cake cutting ceremony together with their children

Mr Fabia and Florence Dominic are blessed with three children, Wanda, Eleanor and Melvin, who are all successful professionals in their chosen career and 12 grandchildren.

Below is the beautiful salutation from their loving children;

60^th ~ The Priceless Diamond Years

Sixty precious diamond years

The greatest years in life

Years of trust and patient

As loving husband and wife

Planning things together

And watching dreams come true

Sharing little secrets

Meant, especially for two

Remember moments filled

With both sad and happy years

No wonder that they’re thought

Of as the priceless……..

Diamond Years.

Congratulations & God Bless!!