Betty and Arthur Ventura received a congratulatory certificate and lei Feb. 4 as they were honored for 71 years of marriage at Holy Ghost Church in Kula. (Photo courtesy Donna Ventura)
Hawaii Catholic Herald
On May 10, 1952, Betty and Arthur Ventura made a commitment to God and to each other as they became a married couple at Holy Rosary Church in Paia, Maui.
Seventy-one years, two children and three grandchildren later, the Venturas’ love has been recognized by Worldwide Marriage Encounter through its annual project celebrating long unions.
“Our marriage vows were our commitment to God,” Betty Ventura said. “Trusting in him that he knew we were meant to be.”
The Venturas were selected as Hawaii’s longest-married couple for 2023 after being nominated last year by their niece, Donna Ventura. They along with couples in 38 other states were honored by WWME; overall, more than 100 couples nationwide were nominated by people involved with the ministry.
The Maui couple was recognized on Feb. 4 before family and friends at Holy Ghost Church in Kula. Bishop Larry Silva also congratulated the Venturas, sending a letter that said: “I am certain that many other couples have been inspired by your faithful love. In this time when there are many unprecedented challenges to marriage and family life, you shine as an example of firm belief that what God has joined together, no one may separate.”
“We live our vows; it is important for the children to see God is our center,” Betty Ventura said. “God is our strength. We pray the rosary together, and we pray for each other and ask forgiveness.”
Worldwide Marriage Encounter’s project honoring the nation’s longest-married couples was established in 2011 to raise awareness of the ministry and its mission to celebrate the sacrament of matrimony.
The next Marriage Encounter Experience in Hawaii will take place April 12-14 at St. Anthony Retreat Center in Kalihi. A Spanish-language retreat is scheduled for the first weekend of May. For more information, visit hawaiiwwme.org.