Before deciding to marry it is important to ask 'Am I free to marry in the eyes of the law and in the eyes of the Church?' If you were married before civilly or in the church then you may not be free to marry. It is important to discuss this matter with your priest.
If you are free to marry then congratulations on deciding to marry. A wedding ceremony does not have to be expensive and lavish. There is an assumption that a church wedding is always big and lavish and a civil wedding ceremony is small and inexpensive. A church wedding ceremony can be small, affordable and simple. It is the trimmings that make it very expensive, the flowers, the photography, the attire, and the reception. As you plan your wedding day try to be shrewd and practical.
Weddings in the parish of Monaghan and Rackwallace are celebrated in the Cathedral and St. Michael's Church, Ardaghey. Weddings in the Cathedral normally take place at 12.30p.m.or 2.30p.m. - to cater for two weddings. However, should there be one wedding booked on that day the couple three months prior to the date of the wedding may decide a time between 12.30 and 2.30pm.
A couple planning to celebrate the Sacrament of Marriage is required to:
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give at least 3 months notice of the intended wedding to a priest of the parish.
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give at least 3 months notice to your nearest Civil Registrar of Births, Deaths and Marriages in your area. Any one getting married in the County Monaghan jurisdiction should contact the Civil Registrar of Births, Marriages and Deaths, Civil Registration Office, Monaghan Local Care Unit, Rooskey, Monaghan, 047 30444. It is strongly advised that you contact the Registrar to book an appointment. Bring with you to the registrar
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a birth certificate
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passport
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final divorce decree if you have been married before
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a death certificate of spouse if you were married before and your spouse died
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PPS number
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names and dates of birth of witnesses
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name and address of the priest officiating at the wedding
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venue of marriage
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complete a marriage preparation course. In the pre-nuptial enquiry form there are questions to be answered by the party getting married 'after an appropriate course of instruction.' The marriage preparation course offered by Accord is the course recommended by the Bishops, (see www.accord.ie for course details or contact Accord Monaghan at 047-83359 or e-mail:
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Check church notice boards for dates and times of workshops).
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The course is an opportunity for you both to spend precious time together with which you can get to know each other more and name your goals and aspirations.
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Complete a pre-nuptial enquiry form with his or her priest. For completion of this document you will need a new Baptism certificate containing details of Confirmation.
Both partners are required by law to
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be at least 18 years of age
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not be related by blood or marriage
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have the mental maturity to understand and live out the marriage commitment
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not be married to someone else
Marrying Abroad?
Resources for planning your wedding are available at VERITAS, 16-18 Park Street beside the Parish Office. See www.gettingmarried.ie for similar details and resources for wedding liturgies.
Wedding Rite without Mass?
There are circumstances where it may be advisable to celebrate your wedding without a Mass, especially if your answer is yes to the following questions:
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Are you as couple familiar with the Mass? Are you and your guests familiar with the responses, know how to participate in the Mass fully?
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Is the Catholic partner marrying someone who is of a another denomination and faith? Is Holy Communion likely to emphasise difference rather than unity between the Catholic and their partner?
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Is the Catholic partner marrying someone who is an atheist?
In the above situations a wedding liturgy without a Mass may be a more sincere and meaningful expression.
Music at your wedding:
It is the policy of the parish that the music at your wedding be strictly sacred/church music. Pop music is forbidden during the religious ceremony. However, it is possible to have something more secular after the ceremony during the signing of the civil marriage registration certificate.
Designing your Wedding Liturgy
Useful Resources
(The prayers below are taken from the 2010 text of the Roman Missal.)
Opening Prayers:
Option A:
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 and the Holy Spirit,
one God, forever and ever.
OR
O God, who by 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, witness to charity itself.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who live and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.
Option B:
Be attentive to our prayers, O Lord,
and in your grace pour out your grace on your servants (N & 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.
OR
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 recieve 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 C
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 offspiring.
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.
OR
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 servants (N & 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.
Choosing Readings for Your Wedding Liturgy
Readings from the Old Testament
Choose one reading from the list of Old Testament readings.
1. A Reading from the Book of Genesis; (1:26-28, 31)
God said, ‘Let us make man in our own image, in the likeness of ourselves, and let them be masters of the fish of the sea, the birds of heaven, the cattle and all the wild beasts and all the reptiles that crawl upon the earth'.
God created man in the image of himself,
In the image of God he created him,
Male and female he created them.
God blessed them, saying to them, ‘Be fruitful, fill the earth and conquer it. Be masters of the fish of the sea, the birds of heaven, the cattle and all living animals on the earth'. God said, ‘See I give you all seed-bearing plants that are upon the whole earth, and all the trees with seed-bearing fruit; this shall be your food'. And so it was, God saw all that he had made, and indeed it was very good.
The word of the Lord
OR
2. A Reading from the Book of Genesis; (2:18-24)
God said, ‘It is not good that man should be alone. I will make him a help-mate'. So from the soil God fashioned all wild beasts and all the birds of heaven. These he brought to the man to see what he would call them; each one was to bear the name the man would give it. The man gave names to all the cattle, all the birds of heaven and all the wild beasts. But no help-mate suitable for man was found for him. So God made the man fall into a deep sleep. And while he slept, he took one of the ribs and enclosed it in flesh. God built the rib he had taken from the man into a woman, and brought her to the man. The man exclaimed:
This at last is bone from my bones,
And flesh from my flesh!
This is to be called woman,
For this was taken from man.
This is why a man leaves his father and mother and joins himself to his wife, and they become one body.
The word of the Lord.
OR
3. A reading from the book of Ruth (1.16-18)
Ruth said, ‘Do not press me to leave you and turn back from your company, for
wherever you go, I will go,
wherever you live, I will live.
Your people shall be my people
and your God will be my God.
Wherever you die, I will die,
and there I will be buried.
The word of the Lord.
OR
4. A reading from the Book of Tobit
On the evening of their marriage, Tobias said to Sarah, ‘You and I must pray and petition our Lord to win his grace and protection.' They began praying for grace and protection, and this was how he began:
‘You are blessed, O God of our fathers;
blessed, too, is your name for ever and ever.
Let the Heavens bless you
and all things you have made for evermore.
It was you who created Adam,
you who created Eve his wife
to be his help and support;
And from these two the human race was born.
It was you who said,
"It is not good that the man should be alone;
let us make him a help-mate like himself."
And so I do not take my sister
for any lustful motive;
I do it in singleness of heart.
Be kind enough to have pity on her and on me
and bring us to old age together.'
And together they said, ‘Amen, Amen.'
The word of the Lord.
OR
5. A Reading from the Song of Songs
I hear my beloved.
See how he comes
leaping on the mountains
bounding over the hills.
My beloved is like a gazelle,
like a young stag.
See where he stands
behind our wall.
He looks in at the window,
he peers through the lattice.
My beloved lifts up his voice,
he says to me,
‘Come then, my love,
my lovely one, come.
My dove, hiding in the clefts of the rock.
in the coverts of the cliff,
show me your face,
let me hear your voice;
for your voice is sweet
and your face is beautiful.'
My beloved is mine and I am his.
Set me like a seal on your heart,
like a seal on your arm.
For love is strong as Death,
jealousy relentless as Sheol.
The flash of it is as a flash of fire,
a flame of the Lord himself.
Love no flood can quench,
no torrents drown.
The word of the Lord.
Psalm
If the Psalm is being read choose from one of the following
Choice 1 - The Lord fills the earth with his love
1. They are happy, whose God is the Lord,
The people he has chosen as his own.
The Lord looks on those who revere him,
On those who hope in his love. ®
2. Our soul is waiting on the Lord.
The Lord is our help and our shield.
In him do our hearts find joy.
We trust in his holy name. ®
3. May your love be upon us, O Lord,
As we pace all our hope in you ®
Choice 2 - Praise the name of the Lord.
1. Praise the Lord from heavens,
Praise him in the heights.
Praise him, all his angels,
Praise him, all his host. ®
2. Praise him sun and moon,
Praise him, shining stars.
Praise him, highest heavens
And the waters above the heavens. ®
3. All mountains and hills,
All fruit trees and cedars,
Beasts, wild and tame,
Reptiles and birds on the wing. ®
4. All earth's kings and peoples,
Earth's princes and rulers:
Young men and maidens,
Old men together with children. ®
5. Let them praise the name of the Lord
For he alone is exalted.
The splendour of his name
Reaches beyond heaven and earth. ®
Choice 3 - The Lord is compassion and love.
1. My soul, give thanks to the Lord,
All my being, bless his holy name.
My soul, give thanks to the Lord
And never forget all his blessings. ®
2. The Lord is compassion and love,
Slow to anger and rich in mercy.
As a father has compassion on his children,
The Lord has compassion on those who fear him. ®
3. The love of the Lord is everlasting
Upon those who hold him in fear;
His justice reaches out children's children
When they keep his covenant in truth. ®
Choice 4 - I will bless the Lord at all times
OR
Taste and see that the Lord is good.
1. I will bless the Lord at all times,
His praise always on my lips;
In the Lord my soul shall make its boast.
The humble shall hear and be glad. ®
2. Glorify the Lord with me.
Together let us praise his name.
I sought the Lord and he answered me;
From all my terrors he set me free. ®
3. Looks towards him and be radiant;
Let your faces not be abashed.
This poor man called; the Lord heard him
And rescued him from all his distress. ®
Readings from the New Testament
Choose one reading from the list of New Testament readings.
1st Choice: A reading from the letter of St. Paul to the Romans
Nothing can come between us and the love of Christ, even if we are troubled or worried, or being persecuted, or lacking food and clothes, or being threatened or even attacked. These are the trials through which we triumph, by the power of him who loved us.
For I am certain of this: neither death nor life, no angel, no prince, nothing that exists, nothing still to come, not any power, or height or depth, nor any created thing, can ever come between us and the love of God made visible in Christ Jesus our Lord.
The word of the Lord.
2nd Choice: A reading from the letter of St. Paul to the Romans
Think of God's mercy, my brothers, and worship him, I beg you, in a way that is worthy of thinking beings, by offering your living bodies as a holy sacrifice, truly pleasing to God. Do not model yourselves on the behaviour of the world around you, but let your behaviour change, modelled by your new mind. This is the only way to discover the will of God and know what is good, what it is that God wants, what is the perfect thing to do.
Do not let your love be a pretence, but sincerely prefer good to evil. Love each other as much as brothers should, and have a profound respect for each other. Work for the Lord with untiring effort and with great earnestness of spirit. If you have hope, this will make you cheerful. Do not give up if trials come; and keep on praying. If any of the saints are in need you must share with them; and you should make hospitality your special care.
The word of the Lord.
3rd Choice: A Reading from the first letter of St Paul to the Corinthians (12.31 - 13.8)
Be ambitious for the higher gifts. And I will show you a way that is better than any of them.
If I have all the eloquence of men or of angels, but speak without love, I am simply a gong booming or a cymbal clashing. If I have the gift of prophecy, understanding all the mysteries there are, and knowing everything, and if I have faith in all its fullness, to move mountains, but without love, then I am nothing at all. If I give away all that I possess, piece by piece, and if I even let them take my body to burn it, but am without love, it will do me no good whatever.
Love is always patient and kind; it is never jealous; love is never boastful or conceited; it is never rude or selfish; it does not take offence, and is not resentful. Love takes pleasure in other people's sins but delights in the truth; it is always ready to excuse, to trust, to hope, and to endure whatever comes.
Love does not come to an end.
The word of the Lord
4th Choice: A reading from the letter of St. Paul to the Colossians
You are God's chosen race, his saints; he loves you, and you should be clothed in sincere compassion, in kindness and humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with one another; forgive each other as soon as a quarrel begins. The Lord has forgiven you; now you must do the same. Over all these clothes, to keep them together and complete them, put on love. And may the peace of Christ reign in your hearts, because it is for this that you were called together as parts of one body. Always be thankful.
Let the message of Christ, in all its richness, find a home with you. Teach each other, and advise each other, in all wisdom. With gratitude in your hearts sing psalms and hymns and inspired songs to God and never say or do anything except in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
The word of the Lord.
5th Choice: A Reading from the first letter of St. John
My dear people,
Let us love one another
Since love comes from God
And everyone who loves is begotten by God and knows God.
Anyone who fails to love can never have known God,
because God is love.
God's love for us revealed
When God sent into the world his only Son
So that we could have life through him;
This is the love I mean:
Not our love for God,
But God's love for us when he sent his Son
To be the sacrifice that takes our sins away.
My dear people,
Since God has loved us so much,
We too should love one another.
No one has ever seen God;
But as long as we love one another
God will live in us
And his love will be complete in us.
The word of the Lord.
Gospel Acclamation
Alleluia, Alleluia
God is love;
Let us love one another
As God has loved us.
Alleluia!
Below are other scripture verses that can be inserted into the Alleluia acclamation:
1. As long as we love one another God will live in us,
And his love will be complete in us.
2. Anyone who lives in love lives in God,
And God lives in him.
3. Everyone who loves is begotten by God,
And knows God
4. God is love; let us love one another as God has loved us.
The Gospel
Choose any one from the selection below
1st Choice - A reading from the Holy Gospel according to Matthew. (5:1-12)
Seeing the crowds, Jesus went up the hill. There he sat down and was joined by his disciples. Then he began to speak. This is what he taught them:
‘How happy are the poor in spirit;
theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Happy the gentle:
they shall have the earth for their heritage.
Happy those who mourn:
they shall be comforted.
Happy those who hunger and thirst for what is right:
they shall be satisfied.
Happy the merciful:
they shall have mercy shown them.
Happy the pure in heart:
they shall see God.
Happy the peacemakers:
they shall be called sons of God.
Happy those who are persecuted in the cause of right:
theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Happy are you when people abuse you and persecute you and speak all kinds of calumny against you on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward will be great in heaven.
The Gospel of the Lord.
2nd Choice - A reading from the Holy Gospel according to Matthew. (5:13-16)
Jesus said to his disciples: ‘You are the salt of the earth. But if salt becomes tasteless, what can make it salty again? It is good for nothing, and can only be thrown out to be trampled underfoot by men.
‘You are the light of the world. A city built on a hilltop cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp to put it under a tub; they put it on the lamp-stand where it shines for everyone in the house. In the same way your light must shine in the sight of men, so that seeing your good works, they may give praise to your Father in heaven.'
The Gospel of the Lord
3rd Choice - A reading from the Holy Gospel according to Matthew (7:21. 24-29)
Jesus said to his disciples: ‘It is not those who say to me, "Lord, Lord" who will enter the Kingdom of heaven, but the person who does the will of my father in heaven. ‘Therefore, everyone who listens to these words of mine and acts on them will be like a sensible man who built his house on rock. Rain came down, floods rose, gales blew and hurled themselves against the house, and it did not fall: it was founded on rock. But everyone who listens to these words of mine and does not act on them will be like a stupid man who built his house on sand. Rain came down, floods rose, gales blew and struck that house, and it fell: and what a fall it had!
The Gospel of the Lord.
4th Choice - A reading from the Gospel according to Matthew.
Jesus said to his disciples: ‘It is not those who say to me, "Lord, Lord" who will enter the Kingdom of heaven, but the person who does the will of my father in heaven. ‘Therefore, everyone who listens to these words of mine and acts on them will be like a sensible man who built his house on rock. Rain came down, floods rose, gales blew and hurled themselves against the house, and it did not fall: it was founded on rock. But everyone who listens to these words of mine and does not act on them will be like a stupid man who built his house on sand. Rain came down, floods rose, gales blew and struck that house, and it fell: and what a fall it had!
The Gospel of the Lord.
5th Choice - A reading from the Holy Gospel according to Matthew (19:3-6)
Some Pharisees approached Jesus, and to test him they said, ‘Is it against the Law for a man to divorce his wife on any pretext whatever?' He answered, ‘Have you not read that the creator from the beginning made them male and female and that he said: This is why a man must leave father and mother, and cling to his wife, and the two become one body? They are no longer two, therefore, but one body. So then, what God has united, man must no divide.'
The Gospel of the Lord.
6th Choice - A reading from the Holy Gospel according to Matthew (22:35-40) (Jesus asserts the primary of law of love of God and love of neighbour. In marriage a couple vow to embody the first and second commandment)
A lawyer, to disconcert Jesus, put a question, ‘Master, which is the greatest commandment of the Law?' Jesus said, ‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the greatest and the first commandment. The second resembles it: You must love your neighbour as yourself. On these two commandments hang the whole Law, and the Prophets also.'
The Gospel of the Lord.
7th Choice - A reading from the Holy Gospel according to Mark (10:6-9) (This short Gospel piece briefly offers an explanation why two people commit to each other. A couple's marriage is akin to a moment in creation)
Jesus said, ‘From the beginning of creation God made them male and female. This is why a man must leave father and mother, and the two become one body. They are no longer two, therefore, but one body. So then, what God has united, a man must not divide.'
The Gospel of the Lord
8th Choice - A reading from the Holy Gospel according to John (2:1-11) (This is an event through which Jesus discloses his true identity. By transforming the water in the Temple water jars, used for the blessing of sacrifices, into wine, Jesus is something even more powerful than the Temple. Mary's words to the servants, ‘Do whatever he tells you!', invites the couple to live according to the Law of Christ)
There was a wedding at Cana in Galilee. The mother of Jesus was there, and Jesus and his disciples had also been invited. When they ran out of wine, since the wine provided for the wedding was all finished, the mother of James said to him, ‘They have no wine.' Jesus said, ‘Woman why turn to me? My hour has not come yet.' His mother said to the servants, ‘Do whatever he tells you.' There were six stone water jars standing there, meant for the ablutions that are customary among the Jews: each could hold twenty or thirty gallons. Jesus said to the servants, ‘Fill the jars with water,' and they filled them to the brim. ‘Draw some out now,' he told them, ‘and take it to the steward.' They did this; the steward tasted the water, and it turned into wine. Having no idea where it came from - only the servants who had drawn the water knew - the steward called the bridegroom and said, ‘People generally serve the best wine first, and keep the cheaper sort till the guests have had plenty to drink, but you have kept the best wine till now.'
This was the first of the signs given by Jesus: it was given at Cana in Galilee. He let his glory be seen, and his disciples believed in him.
The Gospel of the Lord.
9th Choice - A reading from the Holy Gospel according to John (15:9-12) (Jesus invites his followers to love one another. The couple in loving each other make real or mirror the love God has for them in Jesus. In their love they may come to know the joy Jesus wishes them to have. )
Jesus said to his disciples:
‘As the father has loved me,
so I have loved you.
Remain in my love.
If you keep my commandments,
you will remain in my love,
just as I have kept my Father's commandments
and remain in his love.
I have told you this
so that my own joy may be in you
and your joy be complete.
This is my commandment:
Love one another,
as I loved you.'
The Gospel of the Lord.
10th Choice - A reading from the Holy Gospel according to John (15:12-16) (Jesus urges his followers to love each other, even to lay down their life. A couple lay down their lives for each. The couple are Jesus' friends, called by him to build a community of love)
Jesus said to his disciples:
‘This is my commandment:
love one another,
as I have loved you.
A man can have no greater love
than to lay down his life for his friends.
You are my friends
if you do what I command you.
I shall not call you servants any more,
because a servant does not know
his master's business;
I call you friends,
because I have made known to you
everything I have learnt from my Father.
You did not choose me,
no, I chose you;
and I commissioned you
to go out and bear fruit,
fruit that will last;
and then the Father will give you
anything you ask in my name.'
The Gospel of the Lord.
11th Choice - A reading from the Holy Gospel to John (17:20-23)
Jesus raised his eyes to heaven and said:
‘Holy Father,
I pray not only for these,
but for those also
who through their words will believe in me.
May they all be one.
Father, may they all be one in us,
as you are in me and I am in you,
so that the world may believe that it was you who sent me.
I have given them the glory you gave to me,
that they may be one as you are one.
With me in them and you in me,
may they be so completely one,
that the world will realise that it was you who sent me
and that I have loved them as much as you loved me.
The Gospel of the Lord.
Catholic Rite of Marriage
The Rite of Marriage consists of THREE elements;
- Address Formulary
- Declaration of Consent
- Blessing of Rings
There is a variety of forms of each which you are free to choose.
Address Formulary I
Priest: 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 into 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 law of 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?
R7. It is.
Address Formulary II
Priest: Dear Bride and Groom, 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 married life. 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?
R7: We have.
Priest: Will you love and honour each other in marriage all the days of your life?
R7: We will
Priest: (Are you willing to accept with love the children that God may send you, and bring them up in accordance with the law of Christ and his Church?
R7: We are)*
Address Formulary III
Priest: Dear children of God, you have come today to pledge your love before God and before the Church here present in the person of the 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 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 you trust in God as you set out together in life. Make you home a centre of Christian family life.
The Christian home makes Christ and his Church present in the world of everyday things. May all who enter your home find the presence of the Lord; for he has said: "Where two or three are gathered in my name, there I am 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:
Have you come here of your own free will and choice and without compulsion to marry each other?
R7: We have.
Priest: Will you love and honour each other in marriage all the days of your life?
R7: We will
Priest: (Are you willing to accept with love the children that God may send you, and bring them up in accordance with the law of Christ and his Church?
R7: We are)* To be omitted if, for example, the couple is advanced in years*
Declaration of Consent Formulary I:
Priest: I invite you then to declare before God and his Church your consent to become husband and wife.
Groom: Do you consent to be my wife?
Bride: I do. Do you consent to be my husband?
Groom: I do. I take you as my wife, I give myself to you as your husband.
Bride: I take you as my husband and I give myself to you as your wife.
Together: To love each other truly, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, all the days of our life.
Priest: What God joins together man must not separate. May the Lord confirm the consent that you have given, and enrich you with his blessings.
Declaration of Consent Formulary II:
Priest: I invite you then to declare before God and his Church your consent to become husband and wife.
Groom: I, N. take you N. as my wife, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, all the days of our lives.
Bride: I, N. take you N. as my husband, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, all the days of our life.
Priest: What God joins together man must not separate. May the Lord confirm the consent that you have given, and enrich you with his blessings.
Declaration of Consent Formulary III:
Priest: I invite you then to declare before God and his Church your consent to become husband and wife.
Priest: N., do you take N. As your wife for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, all the days of your life?
Groom: I do.
Priest: N., do you take N. As your wife for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, all the days of your life?
Bride: I do.
Priest: What God joins together man must not separate. May the Lord confirm the consent that you have given, and enrich you with his blessings.
Declaration of Consent Formulary IV:
Priest: I invite you then to declare before God and his Church your consent to become husband and wife.
Groom: N., do you consent to be my wife?
Bride: I do.
Bride: N., do you consent to be my husband?
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, 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.
Blessing of Rings Formulary I:
Priest: May the Lord bless + these rings which will be a sign of your love and fidelity. Through Christ our Lord. R7. Amen
Blessing of Rings Formulary II:
Priest: Lord, bless + N. and N. and consecrate their married life. May these rings be a symbol of their faith in each, and a reminder of their love. Through Christ our Lord. R7. Amen
Blessing of Rings Formulary III:
Priest: 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 in mutual love. Through Christ our Lord. R7. Amen
Blessing of Rings Formulary IV:
Priest: Almighty God, bless these rings, symbols of faithfulness and unbroken love. May they 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. R7. Amen
They place the ring on each other's finger, saying:
Groom: Wear this ring as a sign of our faithful love; In the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.
Bride: Wear this ring as a sign of our faithful love; In the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.
OR
Groom: Wear this ring as a sign of our love and fidelity; In the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.
Bride: Wear this ring as a sign of our love and fidelity; In the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.
Exchange of Gifts:
Groom: I give you this gold and silver as a token of all I possess.
OR
Bride and Groom: I give you this gift (symbolic gift), a token of all I possess.
Prayer of the Newly Married Couple:
(The couple are recommended to say together the following or some similar prayer)
We thank you, Lord and we praise you
for bringing us to this happy day.
You have given us to each other,
Now, together, we give ourselves to you.
We ask you, Lord: make us one in our love;
keep us one in your peace.
Protect our marriage. Bless our home.
Make us gentle. Keep us faithful.
And when life is over, unite us again where parting
is no more in the kingdom of your love.
There we will praise you in the happiness
and peace of our eternal home. Amen
Prayer over the Offerings
Option A:
Show favour to our supplications, O Lord,
and receive with a kindly countenance
the oblation 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.
The Preface
The preface begins with:
C. The Lord be with you. R. And with your Spirit.
C. Lift up your hearts. R. We lift them up to the Lord.
C. Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. R. It is right and just.
Preface Option A:
It is truly right and just, our duty and 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 sign:
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:
Preface Option B:
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 created out of charity
you call to the law of charity without ceasing
and grant ehm a share in your eternal charity.
And so, the Sacrament of holy Matrimony,
as the abiding sign of your 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.
Holy, Holy, Holy Lord God of Hosts
Nuptial Blessing
(in a wedding ceremony with a Mass this prayer is placed after the Our Father)
Let us humbly pray 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 Matrimony.
Holy father, maker of the whole world,
who created man and woman in your own image
and willed that their union be crowned with your blessing,
we humbly beseech your for these your servants,
who are joined today in the Sacrament 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 the joy of our 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.
Concluding Prayer - Choose One
1st Choice:
Father, accept this offering
from your whole family
and from N. & N., for whom we now pray.
You have brought them to their wedding day:
grant them a long and happy life together. Amen.
2nd Choice:
Lord,
we who have shared the food of your table
pray for our friends N. & N.,
whom you have joined together in marriage.
Keep them close to you always.
May their love for each other
proclaim to all the world their faith in you.
We ask this prayer through Christ our Lord. Amen.
3rd Choice:
Almighty God,
May the sacrifice we have offered
and the eucharist we have shared
strengthen the love of N. & N.,
and give us all your fatherly aid.
We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Final Blessing - Choose One
1st Choice:
May the eternal Father keep you in love with each other,
so that the peace of Christ may stay with you
and always be in your home. ®. Amen
May your friends console you
and all people live in peace with you. ®. Amen
May you always bear witness to the love of God in this world
so that the afflicted and the needy
will find in you generous friends
and welcome you into the joys of heaven. ®. Amen
May almighty God bless you,
The Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. ®. Amen
2nd Choice:
May God, the almighty Father,
give you his joy and bless you. ®. Amen
May the only Son of God have mercy on you
and help you in good times and in bad. ®. Amen
May the Holy Spirit of God
always fill your hearts with his love. ®. Amen
May almighty God bless you,
the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. ®. Amen
3rd Choice:
May the Lord Jesus, who was a guest at the wedding in Cana
bless you and your families and friends. ®. Amen
May Jesus, who loved his Church to the end,
always fill your hearts with his love. ®. Amen
May he grant that, as you believe in his resurrection,
so you may wait for him in joy and hope. ®. Amen
May almighty God bless you,
the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. ®. Amen
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