Couple receives blessing of a lifetime from pope
BY DANIELLE MEDINA Correspondent

COURTESY OF THE DINARDO FAMILY Pope Benedict XVI shares a few moments with Joseph and Jaclyn DiNardo of Brick, after they received a papal blessing in a ceremony for newly married couples in Rome on Oct. 18.

Four days and 4,300 miles after Joseph and Jaclyn DiNardo exchanged their "I do's," the couple donned their wedding attire again to receive a once-in-a-lifetime blessing of their union.

The couple, who were married at Star of the Sea Church in Long Branch on Oct. 18, received a blessing from Pope Benedict XVI at the Vatican in Rome, Italy, on Oct. 22.

"We were already honeymooning in Italy and we thought what better way to start off our honeymoon and marriage," said Joseph DiNardo, 36. "It was pretty overwhelming to get blessed by the pope."

A special section at the pope's Wednesday general papal audiences is reserved for couples who have been married in the Catholic Church for two months or less.

Pope Benedict XVI walked over to the section to greet some of the newlyweds individually after the blessing, which was delivered in Latin.

"We were in the second row, but luckily we got to meet him," said Jaclyn Di- Nardo, née Millman, a lifelong Brick resident. "He walked right up to us and started speaking English. He asked us where we were from and where we got married."

 

The couple was fortunate enough to shake hands with the pope and was photographed with him.

"It made everything feel a lot more real," said Jaclyn DiNardo, 25, who recently converted to Catholicism at the Church of the Visitation in Brick. "So many people lose sight of the religious aspect of a marriage when they're planning a wedding."

The DiNardos also hope that their experience will encourage others to visit the Vatican if they have the opportunity.

"It doesn't cost anything to get the blessing," Joseph DiNardo said. "You don't have to buy a ticket."

However, there is a process that requires newlyweds to send a letter with their marriage information to the Bishops' Office for United States Visitors to the Vatican, in order to secure their seats.

The couple said that the Rev. Sam Sirianni, who officiated at their wedding ceremony at Star of the Sea Church, was instrumental in helping them receive their papal blessing.

"Older people tend to be more religious than younger people," said Jaclyn Di- Nardo. "We want to try to inspire other newlyweds who might be interested in receiving this blessing."

Following the blessing, the couple, who were still dressed in their wedding attire and accompanied by a photographer, were driven around Rome and took pictures at the city's famous sites.

"The Romans' reaction to us in our attire was amazing," said Joseph DiNardo. "They were applauding and taking pictures of us."

Following the blessing, the couple embarked on their 2½-week honeymoon throughout Italy.

"It was a whirlwind," Jaclyn DiNardo said. "It definitely wasn't relaxing!"

The couple lives in Brick, but are planning to move to San Diego, Calif.

For information on papal blessings and visiting the Vatican, go to www.pnac.org/general/visiting_ vatican.htm.