Where Love Stories Begin and Continue to Flourish: UIW Hosts Annual Cardinal Couples Mass

For many Cardinals, the University of the Incarnate Word (UIW) isn’t just a University. UIW is a place that holds immense significance. The University not only provides an environment that supports students as they achieve academic goals, but also a place where students form long-term friendships that stand the test of time. Some Cardinals are even fortunate enough to say that UIW is the place where they met their life partners.

On Sunday, Feb. 15, the Office of Alumni Relations and UIW Mission and Ministry hosted the annual Cardinal Couples Mass in Our Lady’s Chapel. This yearly tradition welcomes alumni couples back to the Broadway campus to celebrate Valentine’s Day. Surrounded by their Incarnate Word family and before God, couples gathered to celebrate the many love stories that started at the University.

“The Cardinals Couple Mass beautifully celebrates love stories of our alumni - relationships that began at UIW and continue to flourish in faith and community,” shared Alumni Relations Associate Director, Susan Lavenant.

Standing side by side, couples celebrated the special Mass with their children and families, sharing what the UIW community means to them and how their love story first began on campus.

For many, Cardinal Couples Mass offers a time of precious reflection, including Teacher Education Induction Coordinator, Jo-Anne Olivarri:

"Our story began right here at UIW,” shared Olivarri as she recounted meeting her husband. “I was finishing my undergraduate degree in Teacher Education when we were introduced through mutual friends, and he had just started his master's degree program. Attending the Cardinal Couples Mass every year signifies how our love story has come full circle. After getting married in the Chapel of the Incarnate Word Chapel, UIW became not just the place where our love began, but also part of the foundation of our family. Now, with our two young children by our side, the Cardinal Couples Mass holds an even deeper meaning for us. It allows us to show them where their parents' love story started and to share the values and community that UIW instilled in us."

Happy Valentine’s Day, Incarnate Word family!