Wow Baklinski Family Celebrates their 50th Wedding Anniversary with God's Blessings of 14 Children and 64 Grandchildren!

Through ups and downs 50 years of marriage is an accomplishment that is worthy of praise. It is through grace, forgiveness, and love that marriages can stand the test of time. Ted and Theresa Baklinski were married in 1973 in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. The catechism says of marriage:
"The matrimonial covenant, by which a man and a woman establish between themselves a partnership of the whole of life, is by its nature ordered toward the good of the spouses and the procreation and education of offspring; this covenant between baptized persons has been raised by Christ the Lord to the dignity of a sacrament." (Catechism CC 1601)
Thaddeus (Ted) whose parents came to Canada from Poland, at a young age was instilled with the love of their homeland. Due to the situation in Poland, at the time, his parents were forced to flee. So, the family tried to keep the language, customs and religion of their native country at home.
Ted and Theresa, married in 1973, recently celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary. Theresa was born in Canada but also had a Polish heritage.
Theresa would go on to give birth to 14 children and these in turn would bring them 64 grandchildren. Holding the family in prayer, the couple has for years attended Mass almost daily and held regular hours of prayer in their local Eucharist adoration chapel. The family has had its share of trials and as in every family, nothing is ever perfect.
A large number of people, including many of their children and grandchildren, filled their local Combermere Hall on July 8th to honor them. Ted and Theresa Baklinski were married at St. Stanislaus Catholic Church in Hamilton and they renewed their vows at a Mass in St. Hedwig's Church in Barry's Bay, while their son played and sang beautiful hymns. 

Family gatherings at meal time is one of their customs: In the video below Ted Baklinski reads a homily of St. John Chrysostom at Easter (a yearly tradition) before some of their family sits for dinner:

 Sacred Scripture begins with the creation of man and woman in the image and likeness of God and concludes with a vision of "the wedding-feast of the Lamb." Scripture speaks throughout of marriage and its "mystery," its institution and the meaning God has given it, its origin and its end, its various realizations throughout the history of salvation, the difficulties arising from sin and its renewal "in the Lord" in the New Covenant of Christ and the Church. (CCC 1602)

The kindness of the Baklinski family extends not only to their family but also to those in their community. With their warm smiles and welcoming gestures, many have been touched by the love of their family.

 "The intimate community of life and love which constitutes the married state has been established by the Creator and endowed by him with its own proper laws. . . . God himself is the author of marriage." The vocation to marriage is written in the very nature of man and woman as they came from the hand of the Creator. Marriage is not a purely human institution despite the many variations it may have undergone through the centuries in different cultures, social structures, and spiritual attitudes." (CCC 1603)

Marriage requires sacrifice on all sides. Sickness, disagreements and tragic events are normal characteristics of family life. It is not possible to please everyone or to do everything without some mistakes but with the eyes of love and forgiveness we can overcome many obstacles. Let us pray for the Baklinski family and all families to grow in love and forgiveness.

 God who created man out of love also calls him to love the fundamental and innate vocation of every human being. For man is created in the image and likeness of God who is himself love. Since God created him man and woman, their mutual love becomes an image of the absolute and unfailing love with which God loves man. It is good, very good, in the Creator's eyes. And this love which God blesses is intended to be fruitful and to be realized in the common work of watching over creation: (CCC 1604)

Prayer for Families: We bless your name, O Lord,
for sending your own incarnate Son, to become part of a family,
so that, as he lived its life, he would experience its worries and its joys. We ask you, Lord, to protect and watch over families,
so that in the strength of your grace, family members may enjoy prosperity, possess the priceless gift of your peace, and, as the Church alive in the home, bear witness in this world to your glory. We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (Prayer source: USCCB)