St Francis of Assisi Church

Nuptial Mass

Casa Mia on the Hill

Cocktail Hour

Reception

Wine and champagne toast will be served. Cash bar will be open for purchase of other alcoholic beverages.

﻿Please visit: <a href="https://www.usccb.org/prayer-and-worship/the-mass/order-of-mass/liturgy-of-the-eucharist/guidelines-for-the-reception-of-communion" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Guidelines for Receiving Holy Communion</a>

Our Wedding

﻿Please visit: <a href="https://www.usccb.org/prayer-and-worship/the-mass/order-of-mass/liturgy-of-the-eucharist/guidelines-for-the-reception-of-communion" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Guidelines for Receiving Holy Communion</a>

Our Story

Please visit: <a href="https://www.usccb.org/prayer-and-worship/the-mass/order-of-mass/liturgy-of-the-eucharist/guidelines-for-the-reception-of-communion" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Guidelines for Receiving Holy Communion</a>

How did we get here?

"I was raised Catholic, but it was not until college that I experienced a truly personal encounter with Jesus. Funny enough, CCSU was not even an option I considered when looking for colleges and I went almost reluctantly. My first semester, I was prompted to join the Catholic club and began walking alongside Catholic missionaries and faithful friends who served as beautiful examples of the faith. Seeing their zeal and ardor for their faith and for souls, I started striving to become the best version of myself . Consequently, I joined a Bible study and took on several different leadership positions within our Catholic community. Over time, I saw myself grow in ways that I had not even dreamed of. I am so thankful to my wonderful friends and community for the steadfast love, accountability and prayer they've provided me. Today, my faith plays an integral part in my life and I cannot imagine life without it." - Marcelina "Coming out of high school, I had the opportunity to go to college. Although that is exciting to most, I was not very happy, and didn’t feel like I had purpose. I did not want to attend college to tell the truth. But attending college has changed the course of my life forever. I met God there, in the form of many, but especially through my now Fiancée, Marcelina. She brought me into the joyous Catholic community which changed my outlook on life, gave me purpose and a desire for less of the world and more of God. Meeting virtuous friends that would uplift me instead of bring me down into bad habits and pain, and being met with so much love that could have only been from God. Now knowing that we must walk in Jesus’s footsteps, I try my best to share that same love with others. Realizing that we are human and aren’t perfect continues to be humbling for me, as I am trying to become a future husband and spiritual leader for my future home. God has a plan for us, always, No matter the crosses to bear. There is light at the end and that is Him." - Antonio

The Sacrament of Marriage

Marriage is a school for virtue, where patience, forgiveness, and love are learned and practiced daily. It is a divine workshop where two souls are forged into one, in the image of Christ. St. Theodore the Studite

As Catholics, we believe that marriage is one of the seven sacraments. While marriage was instituted by God and first occurred between Adam and Eve, Christ himself elevated marriage to a sacrament in the New Testament at the wedding Feast of Cana. Furthermore, the Sacrament of Marriage is a covenant, which is more than a contract. Covenant always expresses a relationship between persons. The marriage covenant refers to the relationship between the husband and wife, a permanent union of persons capable of knowing and loving each other and God. The celebration of marriage is also a liturgical act, appropriately held in a public liturgy at church. Catholics are urged to celebrate their marriage within the Eucharistic Liturgy. Read an inspiring story about marriage <a href="https://aleteia.org/2017/04/27/saints-timothy-and-maura-newlyweds-martyred-together/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">here.</a>

Our Lady

Mary, known as Our Lady, is the model of trust, humility, and obedience to the will of God. We have grown used to turning to her in our relationship and engagement. She continues to guide us in our discernment and point us to her son, Jesus. Mother Mary is always happy to help us untie the knots we or others have created in our relationships. All we have to do is be willing to ask her to accompany us.&nbsp;When we pray to her, especially with regards to our relationships, we find a kind, compassionate mother walking or sitting alongside us, giving us confidence and encouragement. There is no condemnation, no shame.&nbsp; She in particular knows what it’s like to have something happen that is hard to describe or talk to her beloved about for fear of rejection–only God could explain the conception of Jesus. She in particular knows how to navigate life’s circumstances that others would never be able to relate to–she raised the Son of God.&nbsp;She in particular knows the harsh realities of life as people are given the freedom to say, think, and do what they desire–she accompanied her son during his passion as he endured the mocking, the crown of thorns, the scourging, and his crucifiction.&nbsp;She also in particular knows the great love God has for all of His children–Jesus provided for her and ensured her needs were taken care of in placing her in John’s care while he was in agony as he struggled to even breathe hanging on the Cross.

Our Patron Saints

Patron saints are elected by Catholics at the time of their Confirmation, when they are sealed with the gift of the Holy Spirit. The Catholic practice of asking for Mary's or the Saints' intercession does not translate to worshipping them, but rather turning to them with confidence that they will pray for us and appeal to God on our behalf. In the words of Fr. Paul O'Sullivan: Which of us objects to accepting a blessing from an aged father or refuses a prayer from a kind friend, though these be men and women like ourselves? If we can believe that frail mortals, still in the flesh, can by their blessings and prayers 	do us good, much more credible is that God's intimate friends, who enjoy the sunshine of His presence and the intimacy of 	His blessed friendship, can win for us favors and graces. The lives of the Saints are inspiring from both a Christian and secular standpoint alike. They tell of people who courageously suffered through numerous trials (even to the point of death) for their faith in God. Both Marcelina and Antonio have developed a particular devotion to these saints, regularly asking for their intercession throughout their relationship. Marcelina's confirmation saint is St. Philomena. You can read about her <a href="https://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=98" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">here.</a> Antonio's confirmation saint is Andrew Kim Taegon. Read more about him <a href="https://www.franciscanmedia.org/saint-of-the-day/saints-andrew-kim-taegon-paul-chong-hasang-and-companions/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">here</a>.

The Holy Family

Finally, we are so grateful for the prayers and intercession of the Holy Family throughout our relationship, and blessed to be able to share our wedding day, December 28th, with the Feast Day of the Holy Family, as well as the Holy Innocents (the first-born males ordered to be killed by Herod in his search for the infant Jesus). Please, <a href="https://www.kofc.org/en/resources/faith-in-action-programs/family/consecration-to-the-holy-family/10371-consecration-to-the-holy-family.pdf" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">join us</a> in praying to the Holy Family for our future marriage! Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, Pray for us!Holy Innocents, Pray for us!

Faith

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. 1 CORINTHIANS 13: 4-8

Photos

Wedding Party

We have booked a room block for the nights of 12/27 and 12/28 at the Courtyard by Marriott Hartford Farmington. Please note that guests will be responsible for their hotel fare. You may indicate on the RSVP form if you are in need of accomodations, and for which night(s) so that we have a count.

When calling to book a room, please be sure to mention it is under the hotel block for "Antonio Pensanti" You may read about amenities here: <a href="https://www.marriott.com/en-us/hotels/bdlhf-courtyard-hartford-farmington/overview/?scid=f2ae0541-1279-4f24-b197-a979c79310b0" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.marriott.com/en-us/hotels/bdlhf-courtyard-hartford-farmington/overview/?scid=f2ae0541-1279-4f24-b197-a979c79310b0</a>

Accomodations

Registry

Please visit: <a href="https://www.usccb.org/prayer-and-worship/the-mass/order-of-mass/liturgy-of-the-eucharist/guidelines-for-the-reception-of-communion" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Guidelines for Receiving Holy Communion</a>. (If the link isn't working, open in a new tab).

Helpful Links

<a href="https://www.usccb.org/topics/marriage-and-family-life-ministries/wedding-ceremony" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">What is the Rite of Marriage?</a><a href="https://www.usccb.org/prayer-and-worship/the-mass/order-of-mass/liturgy-of-the-eucharist/guidelines-for-the-reception-of-communion" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Guidelines for Receiving Holy Communion</a><a href="https://sjbcctx.org/catholic-etiquette" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Mass Etiquette and Modesty Guidelines</a><a href="https://corpuschristiphx.org/blog.php?month=202406&amp;id=2027357443&amp;cat=All&amp;pg=1&amp;title=A+State+of+Grace" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">What is the State of Grace?</a>

Q + A

Travel

Things to Do

Please use this link to RSVP using our Google Form: <a href="https://forms.gle/UZVfStPXyedztJRd8 " rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://forms.gle/UZVfStPXyedztJRd8 </a>

Marcelina & Antonio

Marcelina & Antonio

Registry

Check out our registry here: https://www.amazon.com/wedding/registry/1Q25HGYVRVT54