24/11/1977,
The village catechist came to me recently and told me about Iowane who had been living with Maria Rosa for about 18 years. They had five grown up children and now they wanted to get married in the Church. The catechist assured me that he had given them both the usual marriage instruction and they were ready for the sacrament.
The wedding was fixed for today and all the usual food preparations were made. I walked to the village yesterday and met the couple. We completed the prenuptial form and I went over the ceremony with them. When we came to the exchange of vows I suggested that they say the vows to each other themselves rather than repeat the words after the priest. I gave them a copy of their vows to look over and learn off by heart, if possible.
There is no electricity in the village yet. We had, as usual, been drinking yaqona for a few hours last night so I needed to relieve myself about 2.00 a.m. As I made my way out of the bure (house) to go to the bush at the edge of the village I noticed someone standing at a flickering fire in the centre of the village.
I went over to investigate. It was the groom. He was reading the marriage vows and trying to learn them off by heart! My heart went out to him. I suggested that he go to sleep and not to worry about the vows. I would help him by getting him to say them after me. The wedding went off fine. He was nervous but he managed to follow my lead and to vow to continue to love his wife until death would part them. I hope that was easier for him than trying to learn the vows!
by Fr. Frank Hoare
