Preparing the Wedding Liturgy

Preparing the Wedding Liturgy
with the Liturgy of the Word and Rite of Marriage
(outside of Mass)

Celebrant:
In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
All: Amen.
Celebrant:
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
All: And also with you.

Opening Prayers for the Rite of Marriage

A
Father,
you have made the bond of marriage a holy mystery,
a symbol of Christ's love for his Church.
Hear our prayers for N. and N.
With faith in you and in each other
they pledge their love today.
May their lives always bear witness
to the reality of that love.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.

or B
Father,
when you created mankind
you willed that man and wife should be one.
Bind N. and N. in the loving union of marriage
and make their love fruitful
so that they may be living witnesses
to your divine love in the world.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.

or C
Father,
hear our prayers for N. and N.,
who today are united in marriage before your altar.
Give them your blessing,
and strengthen their love for each other.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.

or D
Almighty God,
hear our prayers for N. and N.,
who have come here today
to be united in the sacrament of marriage.
Increase their faith in you and in each other,
and through them bless your Church with Christian children.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.

Liturgy of the Word

(see supplement)

Invitation to the Rite of Marriage

Celebrant introduces the rite of marriage with these or similar words:
My dear friends, you have come together in this church so that the Lord may seal and strengthen your love in the presence of the Church's minister and this community. Christ abundantly blesses this love. He has already consecrated you in baptism and now he enriches and strengthens you by a special sacrament so that you may assume the duties of marriage in mutual and lasting fidelity. And so, in the presence of the Church, I ask you to state your intentions.

Stating Intentions

Celebrant:
<name1> and <name2>, have you come here freely and without reservation
to give yourselves to each other in marriage?
<name1>: I have.
<name2>: I have.

Celebrant:
Will you love and honour each other as man and wife
for the rest of your lives?
<name1>: I will.
<name2>: I will.

Celebrant:
Will you accept children lovingly form God
and bring them up according to the law of Christ and his Church?
<name1>: I will.
<name2>: I will.

Exchange of Consent (Marriage Vows)
Two Options

Celebrant:
Since it is your intention to enter into marriage,
join your right hands, and declare your consent before God and his Church.

Groom or <name1>:
I, <name1>, take you, <name2>, for my lawful wife,
to have and to hold, from this day forward,
for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health,
until death do us part.

Bride or <name2>:
I, <name2>, take you, <name1>, for my lawful husband,
to have and to hold, from this day forward,
for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health,
until death do us part

Celebrant:
You have declared your consent before the church.
May the Lord in his goodness strengthen your consent
and fill your both with his blessings.
What God has joined, no one must divide.
All: Amen.

Groom <name1>:
I, <name1>, take you, <name2>, to be my wife.
I promise to be true to you in good times and in bad, in sickness and in health.
I will love you and honour you all the days of my life.

Bride or <name2>:
I, <name2>, take you, <name1>, to be my husband.
I promise to be true to you in good times and in bad, in sickness and in health.
I will love you and honour you all the days of my life.

Blessing of Rings {Options available}

A
Celebrant: May the Lord bless + these rings
which you give to each other as the sign of your love and fidelity.
All: Amen.

or B
Celebrant: Lord, bless these rings which we bless + in your name.
Grant that those who wear them may always have a deep faith in each other.
May they do your will and always live together in peace, good will, and love.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
All: Amen.

or C
Celebrant: Lord, bless + and consecrate N. and N. in their love for each other.
May these rings be a symbol of true faith in each other,
and always remind them of their love.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
All: Amen.

or D (When there is only one ring)
Celebrant: Lord, bless this ring which we bless + in your name.
May it always be a sign that this man (or N.) and this woman (or N.)
are one in heart and mind. We ask this through Christ our Lord.
All: Amen.

Exchange Of Rings

Groom or <name1>:
<name2>, take this ring as a sign of my love and fidelity.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

Bride or <name2>:
<name1>, take this ring as a sign of my love and fidelity.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

Prayer of the Faithful (Intercessions)
for Rite of Marriage

These intercessions are introduced and concluded by the celebrant, a reader leads the individual petitions. Six sets (A-F) are given below, though the petitions may be selects from any set or may be personally composed.

Priest: God the Father, source of all life and love, willed that husband and wife should become one flesh in marriage. Let us pray to him in sincerity of heart on this joyous occasion.

We pray for N. and N., that their love for each other may be patterned on Christ's love for his bride, the Church. Lord, hear us.
All: Lord, hear our prayer.

We pray for N. and N. will share in God's creative work and enjoy the gift of children. Lord, hear us.
All: Lord, hear our prayer.

We pray for the parents of N. and N...., that they will continue to support them on the journey which begins at this altar. Lord, hear us.
All: Lord, hear our prayer.

We pray for those preparing for their marriage day, that they may understand well the dignity and responsibilities of the marriage covenant and family life. Lord, hear us.
All: Lord, hear our prayer.

We pray for married people everywhere, that they will live in love and faithfulness, for better, for worse, in joy or in sorrow, all the days of their lives. Lord, hear us.
All: Lord, hear our prayer.

Priest: Father of life and love, in union with Mary our Mother, who was a wedding guest at Cana, we make our requests in prayer, through Christ our Lord.
All: Amen.

Priest: My dear friends, let us ask God to bless N. and N. in their marriage and to unite them in love through his Holy Spirit.

That their married love may reflect God's saving love for the human family. Lord, hear us.
All: Lord, hear our prayer.

That they may be united in love and fidelity as Christ is united with his church. Lord, hear us.
All: Lord, hear our prayer.

That, through the Holy Spirit, they may grow into a community of love and show that Christ's Church is present in their home. Lord, hear us.
All: Lord, hear our prayer.

That, through loving one another in Christ, they may come to love Christ in their neighbour. Lord, hear us.
All: Lord, hear our prayer.

That the Church will bring salvation to the world by expressing Christ's love for all people. Lord, hear us.
All: Lord, hear our prayer.

That all Christians may radiate the joy of living in Christ. Lord, hear us.
All: Lord, hear our prayer.

Priest: Father, you have made Christian marriage the sign of the unity between Christ and his Church. Hear our prayers for N. and N. May they love one another as Christ loves his Church. We ask this through Christ our Lord.
All: Amen.

Priest: My dear friends, let us pray to the Lord that he will make known to N. and N. the riches of their vocation in marriage.

That, through the gift of the Holy Spirit, their lives may be lived in love. Lord, hear us.
All: Lord, hear our prayer.

That God will help them to make a home together, and grace it with hospitality, friendship and prayer. Lord, hear us.
All: Lord, hear our prayer.

That God will make their love an expression of his creative love, and bless them with children. Lord, hear us.
Or That God will make their love an expression of his saving love for all people. Lord, hear us.
All: Lord, hear our prayer.

That they may minister the grace of marriage to each other in their joys and sorrows, in their hopes and disappointments. Lord, hear us.
All: Lord, hear our prayer.

That the Church may reveal to the world God's love for the human family. Lord, hear us.
All: Lord, hear our prayer.

That the grace of marriage will be renewed in all Christian families. Lord, hear us.
All: Lord, hear our prayer.

Priest: Father, you are a God of love, and through your Son you have taught us to love one another. May N. and N. in their marriage take Christ's love into the world. We ask this through Christ our Lord.
All: Amen.

Priest: My dear friends, let us pray to our Father in heaven that he will bless N. and N. throughout their married life, and that he will keep them united in undivided love.

That they may always love one another as Christ loves his Church. Lord, hear us.
All: Lord, hear our prayer.

That, in their marriage, they will listen to Christ's gospel and pray together. Lord, hear us.
All: Lord, hear our prayer.

That, through the joys and sacrifices of their married life, they will give witness to their love for Christ. Lord, hear us.
All: Lord, hear our prayer.

That the Christian hope for peace on earth may be fulfilled in their family. Lord, hear us.
All: Lord, hear our prayer.

That the grace of marriage may be renewed in all Christian families, and redeem human love from selfishness and indifference. Lord, hear us.
All: Lord, hear our prayer.

That all Christians will witness to the gospel of love and offer hospitality to Christ when he comes to them in the form of a stranger. Lord, hear us.
All: Lord, hear our prayer.

Priest: Father, you are love itself, and you have made man and woman in your likeness. Hear our prayers for N. and N. May they bring your love to others throughout the years of their marriage. We ask this through Christ our Lord.
All: Amen.

Priest: My dear friends, let us ask God to bless N. and N. in their marriage and to keep them united in their covenant of love.

That God will help them to fulfil their human and Christian vocation in marriage. Lord, hear us.
All: Lord, hear our prayer.

That, through their love for each other, they will give witness to his eternal covenant of love with the human family. Lord, hear us.
All: Lord, hear our prayer.

That they may be faithful as God is faithful, and led to holiness through success and failure. Lord, hear us.
All: Lord, hear our prayer.

That, as their faith increases, they may see the mystery of Christ's death and resurrection in their life. Lord, hear us.
All: Lord, hear our prayer.

That he will bless their parents, friends and all who are here let us pray to the Lord.
All: Lord, hear our prayer.

That all Christians may be faithful to the command of his covenant and love one another as Christ has loved them. Lord, hear us.
All: Lord, hear our prayer.

That he will grant peace to the world, and help the members of the human family to live for each other. Lord, hear us.
All: Lord, hear our prayer.

Priest: Father, in the new covenant of Christ you have given us the pledge of your eternal love and fidelity. Hear our prayers for N. and N. May they mirror your love and reflect your fidelity in their married life. We ask this through Christ our Lord.
All: Amen.

Priest: My dear friends, let us pray to our Father in heaven that he will keep N. and N. united in undivided love, and that he will bless them throughout their married life.

That their love may be patient and gentle, ready to trust, and to endure whatever comes. Lord, hear us.
All: Lord, hear our prayer.

That they may pray together in joy and in sorrow, and always give thanks for the gift of each other. Lord, hear us.
All: Lord, hear our prayer.

That God will bless their daily work and perfect through them his work of creation. Lord, hear us.
All: Lord, hear our prayer.

That his peace may dwell in their home and give hope of peace to the world. Lord, hear us.
All: Lord, hear our prayer.

That all married people may be helped to renew and deepen their love. Lord, hear us.
All: Lord, hear our prayer.

That the Church will bring salvation to the world by expressing Christ's love for all people. Lord, hear us.
All: Lord, hear our prayer.

Priest: Almighty God, you have come into the lives of N. and N. through the gift of married love. Remain with them always, and show your great love for those who call you their Father. We ask this through Christ our Lord.
All: Amen.

Our Father

A
My dear friends, let us turn to the Lord and pray that he will bless with his grace this woman [or N.] now married in Christ to this man [or N.] and that [through the sacrament of the body and blood of Christ,] he will unite in love the couple he has joined in this holy bond.

Father, by your power you have made everything out of nothing. In the beginning you created the universe and made mankind in your own likeness.

You gave man the constant help of woman so that man and woman should no longer flesh, and you teach us that what you have united may never be divided.

Father, by your plan man and woman are united, and married life has been established as the one blessing that was not forfeited by original sin or washed away in the flood.

Look with love upon this woman, your daughter, now joined together husband in marriage. She asks your blessing. Give her the grace of love and peace. May she always follow the example of the holy women whose praises are sung in the scriptures.

May her husband put his trust in her and recognise that she is his equal and the heir with him to the life of grace. May he always honour her and love her as Christ loves his bride, the Church.

Father, keep them always true to your commandments. Keep them faithful in marriage and let them be living examples of Christian life.

Give them the strength which comes from the gospel so that they may be witnesses of Christ to others. [Bless them with children and help them to be good parents. May they live to see their children's children.] And, after a happy old age, grant them fullness of life with the saints in the kingdom of heaven. We ask this through Christ our Lord.

All: Amen.

or B
Let us pray to the Lord for N. and N., who come to God's altar at the beginning of their married life so that they may always be united in love for each other [as now they share in the body and blood of Christ].

Holy Father, you created mankind in your own image and made man and woman to be joined as husband and wife in union of body and heart and so fulfil their mission in this world.

Father, to reveal the plan of your love, you made the union of husband and wife an image of the covenant between you and your people. In the fulfilment of this sacrament, the marriage of Christian man and woman is a sign of the marriage between Christ and the Church. Father, stretch out your hand, and bless N. and N.

Lord, grant that as they begin to live this sacrament they may share with each other the gins of your love and become one in heart and mind as witnesses to your presence in their marriage. Help them to create a home together [and give them children to be formed by the gospel and to have a place in your family].

Give your blessings to N., your daughter, so that she may be a good wife [and mother], caring for the home, faithful in love for her husband, generous and kind. Give your blessings to N., your son, so that he may be a faithful husband [and a good father].

Father, grant that as they come together to your table on earth, so they may one day have the joy of sharing your feast in heaven. We ask this through Christ our Lord.

All: Amen.

or C
My dear friends, let us ask God for his continued blessings upon this bridegroom and his bride [or N. and N.].

Holy Father, creator of the universe, maker of man and woman in your own likeness, source of blessing for married life, we humbly pray to you for this woman who today is united with her husband in this sacrament of marriage.

May your fullest blessing come upon her and her husband so that they may together rejoice in your gift of married love [and enrich your Church with their children].

Lord, may they both praise you when they are happy and turn to you in their sorrows. May they be glad that you help them in their work and know that you are with them in their need. May they pray to you in the community of the Church, and be your witnesses in the world. May they reach old age in the company of their friends, and come at last to the kingdom of heaven. We ask this through Christ our Lord.

Amen.

or D (marriage between a baptised person and an unbaptised person)
My friends, let us ask God for his continued blessings upon this bridegroom and his bride [or N. and N.].

May your fullest blessing come upon her and her husband so that they may together rejoice in your gift of married love. May they be noted for the good lives [and be parents filled with virtue].

All: Amen.

Final Blessings for Rite of Marriage

A
Celebrant: God the eternal Father keep you in love with each other,
so that the peace of Christ may stay with you
and be always in your home.
All: Amen.

Celebrant: May (your children bless you)
your friends console you
and all men live in peace with you.
All: Amen.

Celebrant: May you always bear witness to the love of God in this world
so that the afflicted and the needy
wilt find in you generous friends,
All: Amen.

Celebrant: And may almighty God bless you all,
the Father, and the Son, + and the Holy Spirit.
All: Amen.

or B
Celebrant: May God, the almighty Father,
give you his joy and bless you (in your children).
All: Amen.

Celebrant: May the only Son of God have mercy on you
and help you in good times and in bad.
All: Amen.

Celebrant: May the Holy Spirit of God
always fill your hearts with his love.
All: Amen.

Celebrant: And may almighty God bless you all,
the Father, and the Son, + and the Holy Spirit.
All: Amen.

or C
Celebrant: May the Lord Jesus, who was a guest at the wedding in Cana,
bless you and your families and friends.
All: Amen.

Celebrant: May Jesus, who loved his Church to the end,
always fill your hearts with his love.
All: Amen.

Celebrant: May he grant that, as you believe in his resurrection,
so you may wait for him in joy and hope.
All: Amen.

Celebrant: And may almighty God bless you all,
the Father, and the Son, + and the Holy Spirit.
All: Amen.

Dismissal and Procession out of the Church