In 1984, Dale Lewis could already say that he had lived an amazing life. As a young man, he had served as a Second Lieutenant of the 83 Infantry Battalion in Normandy. He later received a Purple Heart after being wounded in battle. Upon returning home, he married a wonderful woman, raised three children, and then survived the tragic loss of his beloved wife.

So, when Dale took his mother’s advice and signed up for a Fall Foliage bus tour, he surely wasn’t expecting that he was about to embark on a new journey of love, happiness, and new beginnings. As the bus headed north to see God’s majestic autumn finale, Dale met a woman who would open his heart and change his life forever.

Her name was Marge. She too was dealing with the loss of her spouse. The two met on the tour and quickly learned that they had quite a lot in common. Marge had served her country in the Coast Guard S.P.A.R.S. and Dale had known Marge’s deceased husband, Ward. They soon learned that they even went to the same high school at the same time. The two new friends enjoyed each other’s company so much, that before the tour had ended they had already made plans to have dinner. Six months later, they were married.

That was over twenty years ago. Today, Dale and Marge will tell you that they are truly blessed. “I inherited a whole family!” says Marge referring to Dale’s three children, seven grandchildren, and ten great-grandchildren. In addition to offering them happiness, companionship, and love, their matrimony paved the way for a bright and faith-filled future.

As both Dale and Marge had always been faithful people, they feel that somehow, it was God that led them to each other. So, it only seemed appropriate that they would celebrate their 20th anniversary in His holy presence.

The Lewis’s had been long-time friends of the Missionary Oblates and the Shrine. Marge made her first pilgrimage with a church group and enjoyed it so much that she returned three more times-twice with Dale. They arranged to spend their special anniversary at the National Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows. “We wanted to do something special,” explains Marge, “and the Shrine is such a beautiful place.”

On March 2nd, Fr. Louis Studer, O.M.I., celebrated their 20th anniversary with a special Mass at the National Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows. “Afterwards,” Marge explains, “we went out to a lovely brunch with Fr. Lou at the Shrine Restaurant. Then we spent the rest of the day touring the peaceful grounds. We especially enjoyed visiting the many devotional areas where we have honored many of our friends and family members with Tributes and Masses.”

It was an incredible anniversary weekend and before returning home, the Lewis’s did one more extraordinary thing. They called the Charitable Gifts Department and offered a generous donation in support of the ministries of the Missionary Oblates. “We just felt that we wanted to give something back for all the blessings God has given us,” explains the devoted couple.