Sign of the Cross
Priest says:
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
A The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ,
and the love of God,
and the communion of the Holy Spirit
be with you all.
B Grace to you and peace from God our Father
and the Lord Jesus Christ.
C The Lord be with you.
The people reply:
And with your spirit.
Option 1
I confess to almighty God
and to you, my brothers and sisters,
that I have greatly sinned,
in my thoughts and in my words,
in what I have done and in what I have failed to do,
And, striking their breast, they say:
through my fault,
through my fault,
through my most grievous fault;
therefore I ask blessed Mary ever-Virgin,
all the Angels and Saints,
and you, my brothers and sisters,
to pray for me to the Lord our God.
May almighty God have mercy on us,
forgive us our sins,
and bring us to everlasting life.
Amen.
Lord, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
Option 2
Penitential Rite 1
Father you are the creator of the world in all it beauty.
Lord, have mercy
We have wronged your creation
Christ, have mercy
We seek your forgiveness
Lord, have mercy
Penitential Rite 2
You have created each of us out of your love.
Lord, have mercy
Let that love heal us.
Christ, have mercy.
Let that love bring us back to you.
Lord, have mercy
Penitential Rite 3
Father you are the giver of all life.
Lord, have mercy.
The Son came to heal the sick and give his life for us.
Christ, have mercy.
The Holy Spirit came to give strength to us, the Church.
Lord, have mercy.
Penitential Rite 4
Father you love each of us, because we are yours
Lord have mercy.
We seek your forgiveness for the sins that we have committed against you and each other.
Christ have mercy.
We need your healing in our lives.
Lord have mercy.
Penitential Rite 5
You are Father of all peoples; you have given live to the Earth.
A thiarna dean trocaire.
We have sinned against you and against each other.
A Chroíst dean trocaire.
We look for your forgiveness.
A thiarna dean trocaire.
Penitential Rite 6
Lord, you were born of the Virgin Mary for the salvation of the world,
Lord, have mercy.
Christ, you died on the cross to heal the wounds of sin,
Christ, have mercy.
Lord, you rose from the dead to open for us the gates of heaven,
Lord, have mercy
Penitential Rite 7
Lord Jesus, you healed the sick.
Lord, have mercy.
Lord Jesus, you forgave sinners.
Christ, have mercy.
Lord Jesus, you give yourself to heal us and bring us strength.
Lord, have mercy
Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace to people of good will.
We praise you,
we bless you,
we adore you,
we glorify you,
we give you thanks for your great glory,
Lord God, heavenly King,
O God, almighty Father.
Lord Jesus Christ, Only Begotten Son,
Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father,
you take away the sins of the world,
have mercy on us;
you take away the sins of the world,
receive our prayer;
you are seated at the right hand of the Father,
have mercy on us.
For you alone are the Holy One,
you alone are the Lord,
you alone are the Most High,
Jesus Christ,
with the Holy Spirit,
in the glory of God the Father. Amen
Opening Prayer
Where (N. and N) appear is replaced by the Bride and Grooms name:
Option 1.
Priest: Let us pray. All pray in silence for a brief period. Be attentive to our prayers, O Lord, and in your kindness uphold what you have established for the increase of the human race, so that the union you have created may be kept safe by your assistance. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
Option 2.
O God, who in creating the human race willed that man and wife should be one, join, we pray, in a bond of inseparable love these your servants who are to be united in the covenant of Marriage so that, as you make their love fruitful, they may become, by your grace, witnesses to charity itself. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
Option 3.
Be attentive to your prayers, O Lord, and in your kindness pour out your grace on these your servants (N. and N.), that, coming together before your altar, they may be confirmed in love for one another. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
Option 4.
O God, who consecrated the bond of Marriage by so great a mystery that in the wedding covenant you foreshadow the Sacrament of Christ and his Church, grant, we pray, to these your servants, that what they receive in faith they may live out in deeds. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
Option 5.
Grant, we pray, almighty God, that these your servants, now to be joined by the Sacrament of Matrimony, may grow in the faith they profess and enrich your Church with faithful offspring. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
Option 6.
O God, who since the beginning of the world have blessed the increase of offspring, show favour to our supplications and pour forth the help of your blessing on these your servants (N. and N.), so that in the union of Marriage they may be bound together in mutual affection, in likeness of mind and in shared holiness. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
(Bride) and (Groom) and their witnesses (Chief bridesmaid) and (Best man) stand. The Priest addresses them in these words.
Option 1:
Dear children of God, you have come to this church so that the Lord may seal your love in the presence of the priest and this community. Christian marriage is a sacred union which enriches natural love. It binds those who enter it to be faithful to each other for ever; it creates between them a bond that endures for life and cannot be broken; it demands that they love and honour each other, (that they accept from God the children he may give them, and bring them up in his love). To help them in their marriage the husband and wife receive the life-long grace of the sacrament.
Is this your understanding of marriage? Bride and Groom: It is.
Option 2:
Dear children of God, you have come to this church so that the Lord may seal your love in the presence of the priest and this community. Christ blesses this love. He has already consecrated you in Baptism; now, by a special sacrament, he strengthens you to fulfil the duties of your married life. (Priest) then questions the bride and groom. Priest: (Bride) and (Groom), you are about to celebrate this sacrament. Have you come here of your own free will and choice and without
compulsion to marry each other? Bride and Groom: We have Priest: Will you love and honour each other in marriage all the days of your life? Bride and Groom: We will Priest: Are you willing to accept with love the children God may send you and bring them up in accordance with the law of Christ and his Church? [this question may be omitted, e.g. if the couple is advanced in years] Bride and Groom: We are.
Option 3:
Dear children of God, you have come today to pledge your love before God and before the Church here present in the person of priest, your families and friends. In becoming husband and wife you give yourselves to each other for life. You promise to be true and faithful, to support and cherish each other until death, so that your years together will be the living out in love of the pledge you now make. May your love for each other reflect the enduring love of Christ for his Church. As you face the future together, keep in mind that the sacrament of marriage unites you with Christ, and brings you, through the years, the grace and blessing of God our Father. Marriage is from God: he alone can give you the happiness which goes beyond human expectation, and which grows deeper through the difficulties and struggles of life.
Put your trust in God as you set out together in life. Make your home a centre of Christian family life. (in this you will bequeath to your children a heritage more lasting than temporal wealth). The Christian home makes Christ and his Church present in the world of everyday things. May all who enter your home find there the presence of the Lord; for he has said: “Where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.” Now, as you are about to exchange your marriage vows, the Church wishes to be assured that you appreciate the meaning of what you do, and so I ask you: Priest: Have you come here of your own free will and choice and without compulsion to marry each other? Bride and Groom: We Have Priest: Will you love and honour each other in marriage all the days of your life? Bride and Groom: We will Priest: Are you willing to accept with love the children God may send you and bring them up in accordance with the law of Christ and his Church? Bride and Groom: We are.
There are four version of the Declaration of Consent
( the exchange of vows between the bride and groom)
Priest: I invite you then to declare before God and his Church your consent to become husband and wife. The Bride and Groom turn to face towards each other, and join hands.
Option 1:
Groom: (Bride), do you consent to be my wife? Bride: I do. Do you (Groom) consent to be my husband? Groom: I do. Groom: I take you as my wife and I give myself to you as your husband – Bride: I take you as my husband and I give myself to you as your wife – Joining hands, they say together: Both: – to love each other truly for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, till death do us part. (or all the days of our life) When (Bride) and (Groom) have given their consent, the priest says: Priest: What God joins together man must not separate. May the Lord confirm the consent you have given and enrich you with his blessings.
Option 2:
Groom: I, (Groom) take you (Bride) as my wife, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, till death do us part. (or all the days of our life) The bride says: Bride: I, (Bride) take you (Groom) as my husband, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, till death do us part. (or all the days of our life)
Priest: What God joins together man must not separate. May the Lord confirm the consent you have given and enrich you with his blessings.
Option 3:
Priest: (Groom) do you take (Bride) as your wife, for better for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health, till death do you part? (or all the days of your life?) Groom: I do. Priest: (Bride) do you take (Groom) as your husband, for better for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health, till death do you part? (or all the days of your life?) Bride: I do. Priest: What God joins together man must not separate. May the Lord confirm the consent you have given and enrich you with his blessings.
Option 4:
Groom: (Bride), do you consent to be my wife? Bride: I do. Do you (Groom) consent to be my husband? Groom: I do. Joining hands, they say together: Both: We take each other as husband and wife and promise to love each other truly for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, till death do us part. (or all the days of our life) Priest: The Lord has joined you together. May he fulfil his blessing in you; may he keep you in his love.
There are four versions of the blessing of the rings by the priest.
This is followed by the exchange of the rings between the bride and the groom.
After the exchange of vows, the best man places the ring(s) on the paten. The priest prays:
Option 1:
May the Lord bless + this ring (these rings) which will be the sign of your love and fidelity.
Option 2:
Lord, bless + (Bride) and (Groom) and consecrate their married life. May this ring (these rings) be a symbol of their faithful love in each other, and a reminder of their love. Through Christ our Lord.
Option 3:
Lord, bless + these rings. Grant that those who wear them may always be faithful to each other. May they do your will and live in peace with you and in mutual love. Through Christ our Lord.
Option 4:
Almighty God, bless this ring (these rings), + symbol(s) of faithfulness and unbroken love. May (Bride) and (Groom) always be true to each other, may they be one in heart and mind, may they be united in love forever, through Christ our Lord. All: Amen.
The exchange of rings:
(Groom) places the (Bride)’s ring on her finger saying: Groom: (Bride name) wear this ring as a sign of our love and fidelity (or “as a sign of our faithful love”). In the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. (Bride) places (Groom)’s ring on his finger saying: Bride: (Groom name) wear this ring as a sign of our love and fidelity. (or “as a sign of our faithful love”). In the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
[optional]: Exchange of Tokens
Option 1: (Groom) may give gold and silver to the bride saying: Groom: I give this gold and silver, tokens of all I possess.
Option 2: (Bride) and (Groom) may exchange small symbolic gifts, saying: Bride: (Groom), I give you this gift, a token of all I possess. Groom: (Bride), I give you this gift, a token of all I possess.
Some of the following intercessions or others may be used.
1. For N. and N., that the Lord, who has brought them to this happy day will keep them forever in fidelity and love After each intercession: Lord, hear us. Lord graciously hear us.
2. For the parents of N. and N., for their friends and all who have helped them to become husband and wife.
3. That the Lord may bless the world with his peace and the protection of his love.
4. For our community and our families, who welcome Christ into their lives; that they learn to receive him in the poor and suffering people of this world.
5. For God’s Church, the Bride of Christ, that it may be united in faith and love.
6. For all who are victims of injustice, and for those deprived of love and affection.
7. For married couples everywhere, that their lives will be an example to the world of unity, fidelity and love.
8. For those who mourn, while we are rejoicing, that in their suffering and loneliness they may experience the strength of God’s support.
9. For the faithful departed and especially for those whom we, ourselves, have loved, that God will one day unite us again in the joys of our eternal home.
Option 1:
Receive, we pray, O Lord, the offering made on the occasion of this sealing of the sacred bond of Marriage,
and, just as your goodness is its origin, may your providence guide its course. Through Christ our Lord.
Option 2:
Receive in y our kindness, Lord, the offerings we bring in gladness before you, and in your fatherly love watch over those you have joined in a sacramental covenant. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Option 3:
Show favour to our supplications, O Lord, and receive with a kindly countenance the oblations we offer for these your servants, joined now in a holy covenant, that through these mysteries they may be strengthened in love for one another and for you.
Through Christ our Lord. All: Amen.
FOR THE EUCHARISTIC PRAYER:
There is a choice of three prefaces:
Preface I
The Dignity of the Marriage Covenant
Priest: The Lord be with you. All: And with your spirit. Priest: Lift up your hearts. All: We lift them up to the Lord. Priest: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. All: It is right and just.
Priest: it is truly right and just, our duty and our salvation, always and everywhere to give you thanks, Lord, Holy Father, almighty and eternal God. For you have forged the covenant of marriage as a sweet yoke of harmony and an unbreakable bond of peace, so that the chaste and fruitful love of holy Matrimony may serve to increase the children you adopt as your own. By your providence and grace, O Lord, you accomplish the wonder of this twofold design: that, while the birth of children brings beauty to the world, their rebirth in Baptism gives increase to the Church, through Christ our Lord. Through him, with the Angels and all the Saints, we sing the hymn of your praise, as without end we acclaim.
All: Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of hosts, heaven and earth are full of your glory. Hosanna in the highest. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest.
PREFACE II
The Great Sacrament of Marriage
Priest: The Lord be with you. All: And with your spirit. Priest: Lift up your hearts. All: We lift them up to the Lord. Priest: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. All: It is right and just.
Priest: It is truly right and just, our duty and our salvation, always and everywhere to give you thanks, Lord, Holy Father, almighty and eternal God, through Christ our Lord. For in him you have made a new covenant with your people, so that, as you have redeemed man and woman by the mystery of Christ’s Death and Resurrection, so in Christ you might make them partakers of divine nature and join hers with him of heavenly glory. In the union of husband and wife you give a sign of Christ’s loving gift of grace, so that the Sacrament we celebrate might draw us back more deeply into the wondrous design of your love. And so, with the Angels and all the Saints, we praise you, and without end we acclaim
All: Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of hosts, heaven and earth are full of your glory. Hosanna in the highest. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest.
PREFACE III:
Marriage A sign of God’s Love.
Priest: The Lord be with you. All: And with your spirit. Priest: Lift up your hearts. All: We lift them up to the Lord. Priest: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. All: It is right and just.
Priest: It is truly right and just, our duty and our salvation, always and everywhere to give you thanks, Lord, Holy Father, almighty and eternal God. For you willed that the human race, created by the gift of your goodness, should be raised to such high dignity that in the union of husband and wife you might bestow a true image of your love. For those you created out of charity you call to the law of charity without ceasing and grant them a share in your eternal charity. And so, the Sacrament of holy Matrimony, as the abiding sign of you own love, consecrates the love of man and woman, through Christ our Lord. Through him, with the Angels and all the Saints, we sing the Hymn of your praise, as without end we acclaim: All: Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of hosts, heaven and earth are full of your glory. Hosanna in the highest. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest.
Eucharistic Prayer II
The Priest alone recites:
You are indeed Holy, O Lord,
the fount of all holiness.
Make holy, therefore, these gifts, we pray,
by sending down your Spirit upon them like the dewfall,
so that they may become for us
the Body and ✠ Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ.
At the time he was betrayed
and entered willingly into his Passion,
he took bread and, giving thanks, broke it,
and gave it to his disciples, saying:
TAKE THIS, ALL OF YOU, AND EAT OF IT,
FOR THIS IS MY BODY,
WHICH WILL BE GIVEN UP FOR YOU.
In a similar way, when supper was ended,
he took the chalice
and, once more giving thanks,
he gave it to his disciples, saying:
TAKE THIS, ALL OF YOU, AND DRINK FROM IT,
FOR THIS IS THE CHALICE OF MY BLOOD,
THE BLOOD OF THE NEW AND ETERNAL COVENANT,
WHICH WILL BE POURED OUT FOR YOU AND FOR MANY
FOR THE FORGIVENESS OF SINS.
DO THIS IN MEMORY OF ME.
The mystery of faith.
The people continue, acclaiming:
1
We proclaim your Death, O Lord,
and profess your Resurrection
until you come again.
2
When we eat this Bread and drink this Cup,
we proclaim your Death, O Lord,
until you come again.
3
Save us, Saviour of the world,
for by your Cross and Resurrection
you have set us free.
Therefore, as we celebrate
the memorial of his Death and Resurrection,
we offer you, Lord,
the Bread of life and the Chalice of salvation,
giving thanks that you have held us worthy
to be in your presence and minister to you.
Humbly we pray
that, partaking of the Body and Blood of Christ,
we may be gathered into one by the Holy Spirit.
Remember, Lord, your Church,
spread throughout the world,
and bring her to the fullness of charity,
together with N. our Pope and N. our Bishop
and all the clergy.
Be mindful also, Lord, N and N , whom you have brought to their wedding day, that by your grace, they may always live in mutual love and peace.
Remember also our brothers and sisters
who have fallen asleep in the hope of the resurrection,
and all who have died in your mercy:
welcome them into the light of your face.
Have mercy on us all, we pray,
that with the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God,
with blessed Joseph, her Spouse,
with the blessed Apostles,
and all the Saints who have pleased you throughout the ages,
we may merit to be co-heirs to eternal life,
and may praise and glorify you
through your Son, Jesus Christ.
Through him, and with him, and in him,
O God, almighty Father,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
all glory and honour is yours,
for ever and ever.
Amen.
Eucharistic Prayer III
The Priest alone says:
You are indeed Holy, O Lord,
and all you have created
rightly gives you praise,
for through your Son our Lord Jesus Christ,
by the power and working of the Holy Spirit,
you give life to all things and make them holy,
and you never cease to gather a people to yourself,
so that from the rising of the sun to its setting
a pure sacrifice may be offered to your name.
Therefore, O Lord, we humbly implore you:
by the same Spirit graciously make holy
these gifts we have brought to you for consecration,
that they may become the Body and ✠ Blood
of your Son our Lord Jesus Christ,
at whose command we celebrate these mysteries.
For on the night he was betrayed
he himself took bread,
and, giving you thanks, he said the blessing,
broke the bread and gave it to his disciples, saying:
TAKE THIS, ALL OF YOU, AND EAT OF IT,
FOR THIS IS MY BODY,
WHICH WILL BE GIVEN UP FOR YOU.
In a similar way, when supper was ended,
he took the chalice,
and, giving you thanks, he said the blessing,
and gave the chalice to his disciples, saying:
TAKE THIS, ALL OF YOU, AND DRINK FROM IT,
FOR THIS IS THE CHALICE OF MY BLOOD,
THE BLOOD OF THE NEW AND ETERNAL COVENANT,
WHICH WILL BE POURED OUT FOR YOU AND FOR MANY
FOR THE FORGIVENESS OF SINS.
DO THIS IN MEMORY OF ME.
The mystery of faith.
The people continue, acclaiming:
Either:
1. We proclaim your Death, O Lord,
and profess your Resurrection
until you come again.
2. When we eat this Bread and drink this Cup,
we proclaim your Death, O Lord,
until you come again.
3. Save us, Saviour of the world,
for by your Cross and Resurrection
you have set us free.
Therefore, O Lord, as we celebrate the memorial
of the saving Passion of your Son,
his wondrous Resurrection
and Ascension into heaven,
and as we look forward to his second coming,
we offer you in thanksgiving
this holy and living sacrifice.
Look, we pray, upon the oblation of your Church
and, recognizing the sacrificial Victim by whose death
you willed to reconcile us to yourself,
grant that we, who are nourished
by the Body and Blood of your Son
and filled with his Holy Spirit,
may become one body, one spirit in Christ.
May he make of us
an eternal offering to you,
so that we may obtain an inheritance with your elect,
especially with the most Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God,
with blessed Joseph, her Spouse,
with your blessed Apostles and glorious Martyrs
with Saint N
and with all the Saints,
on whose constant intercession in your presence
we rely for unfailing help.
May this Sacrifice of our reconciliation,
we pray, O Lord,
advance the peace and salvation of all the world.
Be pleased to confirm in faith and charity
your pilgrim Church on earth,
with your servant N our Pope and N,
the Order of Bishops, all the clergy,
and the entire people you have gained for your own.
Listen graciously to the prayers of this family,
whom you have summoned before you:
Strengthen, we pray in the grace of Marriage N and N,
whom you have brought happily to their wedding day, that under your protection they may always be faithful in their lives
to the covenant they seal in your presence.
In your compassion, o merciful Father
Gather to your children, spread through the world.
in your compassion, O merciful Father,
gather to yourself all your children
scattered throughout the world.
To our departed brothers and sisters
and to all who were pleasing to you
at their passing from this life,
give kind admittance to your kingdom.
There we hope to enjoy for ever the fullness of your glory
through Christ our Lord,
through whom you bestow on the world all that is good.
Through him, and with him, and in him,
O God, almighty Father,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
all glory and honour is yours,
for ever and ever.
Amen.
The Lord’s Prayer
At the Saviour’s command
and formed by divine teaching, we dare to say:
Together with the people, he continues:
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name;
thy kingdom come,
thy will be done
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
and forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us;
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
Ár nAthair, atá ar neamh,
go naofar d’ainm,
go dtaga do ríocht,
go ndéantar do thoil ar an talamh,
mar a dhéantar ar neamh.
Ár n-arán laethúil tabhair dúinn inniu,
agus maith dúinn ár bhfiacha,
mar a mhaithimidne dár bhféichiúna féin,
agus ná lig sinn i gcathú,
ach saor sinn ó olc. Amen.
This Blessing takes place immediately after the Our Father.
Choose one of these four different versions:
Version 1:
Dear brothers and sisters, let us humbly pray to the Lord that on these his servants, now married in Christ, he may mercifully pour out the blessing of his grace and make of hone heart in love (by the Sacrament of Christ’s Body and Blood) those he has joined by a holy covenant.
All pray in silence for a short while. The Priest then extends his hands over the couple, who kneel, and continues…
O God, who by your mighty power created all things out of nothing, and, when you had set in place the beginnings of the universe, formed man and woman in your own image, making the woman an inseparable helpmate to the man, that they might no longer be two, but one flesh, and taught that what you were pleased to make one must never be divided.
O God, who consecrated the bond of Marriage by so great a mystery that in the wedding covenant your foreshadowed the Sacrament of Christ and his Church:
O God, by whom woman is joined to man and the companionship they had in the beginning is endowed with the one blessing not forfeited by original sin nor washed away by the flood.
Look now with favour on these your servants, joined together in marriage who ask to be strengthened by your blessing.
Send down on them the grace of the Holy Spirit and pour your love into your hearts, that they may remain faithful in the Marriage covenant.
May the grace of love and peace abide in your daughter N. and let he always follow the example of those holy women whose praises are sung in the Scriptures.
May her husband entrust his heart to her, so that, acknowledging her as his equal and his joint heir to the life of grace, he may show her due honour and cherish her always wit the love that Christ has for his Church.
And now, Lord, we implore you: may these your servants hold fast to the faith and keep your commandments: made one in the flesh, may they be blameless in all they do: and with the strength that comes from the Gospel, may they bear true witness to Christ before all; (may they be blessed with children, and prove themselves virtuous parents, who live to see their children’s children.)
And grant that reaching at last together the fullness of years for which they hope, they may come to the life of the blessed in the Kingdom of Heaven. Through Christ our Lord.
All: Amen.
Version 2:
Priest:Let us pray to the Lord for this bride and groom, who come to the altar as they begin their married life, that (partaking of the Body and Blood of Christ) they may always be bound together by love for one another.
Holy Father, who formed man in your own image, male and female you created them, so that as husband d and wife, united in body and heart, they might fulfil their calling in the world;
O God, who, to reveal the great design you formed in your love, willed that eth love of spouses for each other should foreshadow the covenant you graciously made with your people, so that, by fulfilment of the sacramental sign, the mystical marriage of Christ with his Church might become manifest in the union of husband and wife among your faithful.
Graciously stretch out your right hand over these your servants (N. and N.), we pray, and pour into their hearts, the power of the Holy Spirit.
Grant, O Lord, that, as they enter upon this sacramental union, they may share with one another the gifts of your love and, by being for each other a sign of your presence, become one heart and one mind. May they also sustain, O Lord, by their deeds the home they are forming (and prepare their children to become members of your heavenly household by raising them in the way of the Gospel.) Graciously crown with your blessings your daughter N. so that, by being a good wife (and mother), she may bring warmth to her home with a love that is pure and adorn it with welcoming graciousness. Bestow a heavenly blessing also, O Lord, on N., your servant, that he may be a worthy, good and faithful husband (and father). Grant, holy Father, that, desiring to approach your table as a couple joined in Marriage in your presence, they may one day have the joy of taking part in your great banquet in heaven. Through Christ our Lord. All: Amen
Version 3:
Priest: let us humbly invoke by our prayers, dear brothers, and sisters, God’s blessing upon this bride and groom , that in his kindness he may favour with his help those on whom he has bestowed the sacrament of marriage.
All pray in silence for a short while. The Priest then extends his hands over the couple, who kneel, and continues…
Holy Father, maker of the world, who created man and woman in your own image and willed that their union be crowned with your blessing, we humbly beseech you for these your servants, who are joined today in the Sacrament of Matrimony.
May your abundant blessing, Lord, come down upon this bride, N., and upon N., her companion for life, and may the power of your Holy Spirit set their hearts aflame form on high, so that, living out together the gift of Matrimony, they may (adorn their family with children and) enrich the Church.
In happiness may they praise you, O Lord, in sorrow may they seek you out; may they have joy of your presence to assist them in their toil, and know that you are near to comfort them in their need; let them pray to you in the holy assembly and bear witness to you in the world, and after a happy old age, together with the circle of friends that surrounds them, may they come to the Kingdom of Heaven.
Through Christ our Lord. All: Amen.
The Priest:
Deliver us, Lord, we pray, from every evil,
graciously grant peace in our days,
that, by the help of your mercy,
we may be always free from sin
and safe from all distress,
as we await the blessed hope
and the coming of our Saviour, Jesus Christ.
The People:
For the kingdom,
the power and the glory are yours
now and for ever.
The Priest:
Lord Jesus Christ,
who said to your Apostles:
Peace I leave you, my peace I give you,
look not on our sins,
but on the faith of your Church,
and graciously grant her peace and unity
in accordance with your will.
Who live and reign for ever and ever.
The People :
Amen.
The Priest:
The peace of the Lord be with you always.
The People:
And with your spirit.
The Priest:
Let us offer each other the sign of peace.
Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world,
have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world,
have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world,
grant us peace.
Behold the Lamb of God,
behold him who takes away the sins of the world.
Blessed are those called to the supper of the Lamb.
Together:
Lord, I am not worthy
that you should enter under my roof,
but only say the word and my soul shall be healed.
Choose from one of the following 3 versions:
Priest: Let us pray.
Version 1.
By the power of this sacrifice, O Lord, accompany with your loving favour what in your providence you have instituted, so as to make of one heart in love those you have already joined in this holy union (and replenished with the one Bread and the one Chalice). Through Christ our Lord.
Version 2.
Having been partakers at your table, we pray, O Lord, that those who are united by the Sacrament of Marriage may always hold fast to you and proclaim your name to the world. Through Christ our Lord.
Version 3.
Grant, we pray, almighty God, that the power of the Sacrament we have received may find growth in these your servants and that the effects of the sacrifice we have offered may be felt by us all. Through Christ our Lord. All: Amen.
This is the final blessing of the celebration of the wedding ceremony.
Choose one of the following three different versions:
Priest: The Lord be with you All: And with your spirit.
Version 1.
Priest: Bow your heads and pray for God’s blessing.
Priest: May God the eternal Father keep you of one heart in love for one another, that the peace of Christ dwell in you and abide always in your home. All: Amen Priest: May you be blessed in your children, have solace in your friends and enjoy true peace with everyone. All: Amen Priest: May you be witnesses in the world to God’s charity, so that the afflicted and needy who have known your kindness may one day receive you thankfully into the eternal dwelling of God. All: Amen Priest: And may almighty God bless all of you who are gathered here – the Father, and the Son + and the Holy Spirit All: Amen Priest: Go in peace to love and serve the Lord All: Thanks be to God
Version 2
Priest: May God, the all-powerful Father, grant you his joy; and bless you in your children. All: Amen. Priest: May the only Begotten Son of God, stand by you in good times and in bad. All: Amen. Priest: May the Holy Spirit of God always pour forth his love into your hearts. All: Amen. Priest: And may almighty God bless you all, who are gathered here- the Father, and the Son + and the Holy Spirit. All: Amen
Priest: Go in peace to love and serve the Lord. All: Thanks be to God
Version 3.
Priest: May the Lord Jesus, who graced the marriage at Cana by his presence, bless you and your loved ones. All: Amen Priest: May he, who loved the Church to the end, unceasingly pour his love into your hearts. All: Amen Priest: May the Lord grant that, bearing witness to faith in his Resurrection, you may await with joy the blessed hope to come. All: Amen Priest: And may almighty God bless you all who are gathered here, the Father, and the Son + and the Holy Spirit All: Amen Priest: Go in peace to love and serve the Lord All: Thanks be to God