Paul W Kelly

OPTIONS FOR YOUR WEDDING CEREMONY: filled out this form:
PLEASE CLICK HERE FOR THE WEDDING APPLICATION FORM

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Preparing the Church Wedding Ceremony
Before beginning to prepare your ceremony, you must decide whether you wish to have a “Wedding Liturgy” or a “Wedding Liturgy including Mass.” (The wedding with Mass, involved the blessing of the Bread and Wine and Holy Communion).
Here is the comparative structure of both options:

WEDDING LITURGY
Entrance Rite
Entrance
Opening Prayer

Liturgy of the Word
Scripture Readings
Homily

Rite of Marriage
Giving of Consent (Vows)
Blessing and Exchange of Rings
General Intercessions
Nuptial Blessing

Conclusion
Lord’s Prayer
Blessing

Signing of Register

+++
or

WEDDING LITURGY INCLUDING MASS
Entrance Rite
Entrance
Opening Prayer

Liturgy of the Word
Scripture Readings
Homily

Rite of Marriage
Giving of Consent (Vows)
Blessing and Exchange of Rings
General Intercessions
                   
Liturgy of the Eucharist
Preparation of the Gifts (bringing forward of the bread and the wine)
Eucharistic Prayer
Lord’s Prayer
Nuptial Blessing
Communion
Prayer after Communion
Conclusion
Blessing

Signing of Register

The choice of service must take into consideration the people attending. If the marriage is between a Catholic and Non-catholic, then at the Communion, members of one family may not be able to receive communion. This could introduce a negative aspect into the celebration.
 If you are not sure of the implications of the two choices, then please seek the advice of the priest.
 Once you have made your choice, then contact the priest who will give you the information which will enable you to plan your service.
For the basic order of service of a wedding prayer service, please click here. (This is the basic info you can feature in your Order of Service).
For the basic order of a wedding Mass, please click here. (This is the basic info you can feature in your Order of Service).

WEDDING INFORMATION
Check out this next document. It has options for prayers and readings:-
Preparing the Church Wedding Ceremony
Whether the ritual is a Wedding Liturgy or a Wedding Liturgy including Mass, please follow the plan below.
 

Step 1
Choose a suitable Introductory Prayer (between numbers 1 & 4b).

 

       Step 2
EITHER:
 

Choose three readings:
 

FIRST (between numbers 5 and 10 (Old Testament readings))   who reads?........................................
 

SECOND (between numbers 11 and 18 (New Testament readings))    who reads?........................................
 

GOSPEL (between numbers 19 and 26)     The Priest or Deacon always reads the Gospel.
 

OR
 

Choose two readings
FIRST (between 5 and 18 (Old or New Testament)   who reads?........................................
 

GOSPEL (between 19 and 26(New Testament readings))   The Priest or Deacon always reads the Gospel.
 

 Choose a Response Psalm  (between numbers 27 & 34) or a suitable
Step 3 hymn .
Step 4
 

Choose your vows on page: (between numbers 35 & 36).
 

Step 5
Choose a Nuptial Blessing  (between 37 & 39).
 

Step 6
Choose or write the Prayers of the Faithful and who will read them.
 

Step 7
Choosing a Reader (Lector)
Either a family member or friend.  The Readers ought to be used to reading in a Church.  A Reader from another Christian congregation [not Catholic] is always welcome to do the readings.  A reader (lector) from the parish is available to read at your request.
++++
Options for the Opening prayer known as "The Collect" (which the priest recites this)
Collect:
 
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 in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, forever and ever.
Amen.
 
or 
B
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, forever and ever.
Amen.
 
or 
C
This Collect may not be used in the same celebration as Nuptial Blessing A. (that is number 37 below) 
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, forever and ever.
 
or 
D
Be attentive to our prayers, O Lord,
and in your kindness
pour out your grace on these your servants ([BRIDE] and [GROOM]),
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, forever and ever.
Amen.
 
or 
E
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, forever and ever.
Amen.
 
or 
F
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 ([BRIDE] and [GROOM]),
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, forever and ever.
Amen.

OPTIONS FOR FIRST READING: --
 (5) From the book of Genesis 1:26-28,31a
God said, "Let us make humankind in our image, according to our likeness; and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the wild animals of the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps upon the earth."
So God created humankind in his image,
in the image of God he created them;
male and female he created them.
God blessed them, and God said to them,
"Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth and subdue it, and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the air and over every living thing that moves upon the earth."
God saw everything that he had made, and indeed, it was very good.
The Word of the Lord.
 All Respond:  Thanks be to God

 (6) From the book of Genesis 2:18-24
The Lord God said, "It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper as his partner."  So out of the ground the Lord God formed every animal of the field and every bird of the air, and brought them to the man to see what he would call them; and whatever the man called every living creature, that was its name.  The man gave names to all cattle, and to the birds of the air, and to every animal of the field; but for the man there was not found a helper as his partner.  So the Lord God caused a deep sleep to fall upon the man, and he slept; then he took one of his ribs and closed up its place with flesh.  And the rib that the Lord God had taken from the man he made into a woman and brought her to the man.  Then the man said,
"This, at last, is bone of my bones
and flesh of my flesh;
this one shall be called Woman,
for out of Man this one was taken."
Therefore a man leaves his father and his mother and clings to his wife, and they become one flesh.
The Word of the Lord.
 All Respond:  Thanks be to God

(7) From the Song of Songs
 2:8-10,14,16a;8:6-7a
The voice of my beloved!
Look, he comes,
leaping upon the mountains,
bounding over the hills.
My beloved is like a gazelle,
a young stag.
Look, there he stands
behind our wall,
gazing in at the windows,
looking through the lattice.
My beloved speaks and says to me:
"Arise, my love, my fair one,
and come away;
O my dove, in the clefts of the rock,
in the covert of the cliff,
let me see your face,
let me hear your voice;
for your voice is sweet,
and your face is lovely.
My beloved is mine and I am his;
He said to me:
Set me as a seal upon your heart,
as a seal upon your arm;
for love is strong as death,
passion fierce as the grave.
Its flashes are flashes of fire,
a raging flame.
Many waters cannot quench love,
neither can floods drown it.
The Word of the Lord.
All Respond:  Thanks be to God

(8) From the Song of Songs
 8:6-7
Set me as a seal upon your heart,
as a seal upon your arm;
for love is strong as death,
passion fierce as the grave.
Its flashes are flashes of fire,
a raging flame.
Many waters cannot quench love,
neither can floods drown it.
If one offered for love
all the wealth of his house,
it would be utterly scorned.
The Word of the Lord
All Respond:  Thanks be to God

(9) From Jeremiah 31:31-32a, 33-34a
 The days are surely coming, says the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah. It will not be like the covenant that I made with their ancestors when I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt. But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the Lord: I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. No longer shall they teach one another, or say to each other, "Know the Lord," for they shall all know me, from the least of them to the greatest, says the Lord.
The Word of the Lord.
All Respond:  Thanks be to God

 (10)  FromEccelesiastes 3:1-8
For everything there is a season and a time for every matter under heaven:
a time to be born, and a time to die;
a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted;
a time to break down, and a time to build up;
a time to weep, and a time to laugh;
a time to mourn, and a time to dance;
a time to throw away stones, and a time to gather stones together;
a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;
a time to seek, and a time to lose;
a time to keep, and a time to throw away;
a time to tear, and a time to sew;
a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;
The Word of the Lord.
All Respond:  Thanks be to God

OPTIONS FOR SECOND READING --
  (11)  From Romans 12:1-2,9-18
I appeal to you therefore, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.  Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God -- what is good and acceptable and perfect.
Let love be genuine; hate what is evil, hold fast to what is good; love one another with mutual affection; outdo one another in showinghonor. Do not lag in zeal, be ardent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in suffering, persevere in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints; extend hospitality to strangers.
Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another; do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly; do not claim to be wiser than you are. Do not repay anyone evil for evil, but take thought for what is noble in the sight of all. If it is possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.  The Word of the Lord.
All Respond:  Thanks be to God

(12)   From the first letter of Paul    to the Corinthians 12:31-13:8a
Strive for the greater gifts. And I will show you a still more excellent way.
If I speak in the tongues of mortals and ofangels, but do not have love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give away all my possessions, and if I hand over my body so that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing.
Love is patient; love is kind; love is not envious or boastful or arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoicein wrongdoing, but rejoices in the truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
Love never ends.
The Word of the Lord.
All Respond:  Thanks be to God

(13)    From the letter of Paul to theColosssians 3:12-17
As God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience. Bear with one another and, if anyone has a complaint against another, forgive each other; just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in the one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly; teach and admonish one another in all wisdom; and with gratitude in your hearts sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
The Word of the Lord.
All Respond:  Thanks be to God

(14) From the first letter of John 3:18-24
Little children, letus love, not in word or speech, but in truth and action. And by this we will know that we are from the truth and will reassure our hearts before him whenever our hearts condemn us; for God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything. Beloved, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have boldness before God; and we receive from him whatever we ask, because we obey his commandments and do what pleases him.
And this is his commandment, that we should believe in the name of his Son Jesus Christ and love one another, just as he has commanded us. All who obey his commandments abide in him, and he abides in them. And bythis we know that he abides in us, by the Spirit that he has given us.
The Word of the Lord.
All Respond:  Thanks be to God

(15) From the first letter of John 4:7-12
Beloved, let us love one another because love is from God; everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, for God is love. God's love was revealed among us in this way: God sent his only Son into the world so that we might live through him. In this is love, not that we loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins.  Beloved, since God loved us so much, we also ought to love one another.  No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God lives in us, and his love is perfected in us.
The Word of the Lord.
All Respond:  Thanks be to God

(16) From the book of Revelation 19:1,5-9a
After this I heard what seemed to be the loud voice of a great multitude in heaven, saying,
"Alleluia!
Salvation and glory and power to our God."
And from the throne came a voice saying,
"Praise our God,
all you, his servants,
and all who fear him,
small and great."
Then I heard what seemed to be the voice of a great multitude, like the sound of many waters and like the sound of mighty thunder peals, crying out,
"Alleluia!
For the Lord our God
the Almighty reigns.
Let us rejoice and exult
and give him the glory,
for the marriage of the Lamb has come,
and his bride has made herself ready;
to her, it has been granted to be clothed
with fine linen, bright and pure" --
for the fine linen is the righteous deeds of the saints.
And the angel said to me, "Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb."
The Word of the Lord
All Respond:  Thanks be to God

 (17) From 1 Peter 4:10-11
Like good stewards of the manifold grace of God, serve one another with whatever gift each of you has received. Whoever speaks must do so as one speaking the very words of God; whoever serves must do so with the strength that God supplies, so that God may be glorified in all things through Jesus Christ. To him belong the glory and the power forever and ever. Amen.
The Word of the Lord.
All Respond:  Thanks be to God

 (18) From 1 Peter 1:3-4
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! By his great mercy he has given us a new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you.
The Word of the Lord.
All Respond:  Thanks be to God

OPTIONS FOR THE GOSPEL THAT THE PRIEST READS OUT --
 (19)
PRIEST:  The Lord be with You
All:   And also with you
PRIEST: From the holy gospel according to Matthew (5:1-10,12a)
All:  Glory to You, O Lord.
When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain; and after he sat down, his disciples came to him.  Then he began to speak, and taught them, saying:
"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
"Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
"Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
"Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
"Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy.
"Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
"Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.
"Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven.
The Gospel of the Lord.
All Respond:   Praise to you Lord, Jesus Christ.

(20)

PRIEST:  The Lord be with You
All:   And also with you
PRIEST: From the holy gospel according to Matthew 5:13-16
All:  Glory to you, O Lord.
Jesus said to his disciples:
"You are the salt of the earth; but if salt has lost its taste, how can its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything, but is thrown out and trampled underfoot.
"You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannotbe hid. No one after lighting a lamp puts it under the bushel basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.
The Gospel of the Lord
All Respond:   Praise to you Lord, Jesus Christ.

(21)

PRIEST:  The Lord be with You
All:   And also with you
PRIEST: From the holy gospel according to Matthew 19:3-6
All:  Glory to You, O Lord.
Some Pharisees came to Jesus, and to test him they asked, "Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for any cause?"  He answered, "Have you not read that the one who made them at the beginning 'made them male and female,'  and said, 'For thisreason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh'? So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate."
The Gospel of the Lord.
All Respond:   Praise to you Lord, Jesus Christ.

(22)
PRIEST:  The Lord be with You
All:   And also with you
PRIEST: From the holy gospel according to Mark 10:6-9
All:  Glory to You, O Lord.
From the beginning of creation, 'God made them male and female.' 'For thisreason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.' So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate."
The Gospel of the Lord.
All Respond:   Praise to you Lord, Jesus Christ.

(23)

PRIEST:  The Lord be with You
All:   And also with you
PRIEST: From the holy gospel according to John 2:1-11
All:  Glory to You, O Lord.
On the third day there was a wedding in Cana of Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. Jesus and his disciples had also been invited to the wedding. When the wine gave out, the mother of Jesus said to him, "They have no wine." And Jesus said to her, "Woman, what concern is that to you and to me? My hour has not yet come." His mother said to the servants, "Do whatever he tells you." Now standing there were six stone water jars for the Jewish rites of purification, each holding twenty or thirty gallons. Jesus said to them, "Fill the jars with water." And they filled them up to the brim. He said to them, "Now draw some out, and take it to the chief steward." So they took it. When the steward tasted the water that had become wine, and did not know where it came from (though the servants who had drawn the water knew), the steward called the bridegroom and said to him, "Everyone serves the good wine first, and then the inferior wine after the guests have become drunk. But you have kept the good wine until now." Jesus did this, the first of his signs, in Cana of Galilee, and revealed his glory; and his disciples believed in him.
The Gospel of the Lord.
All Respond:   Praise to you Lord, Jesus Christ.

(24)
PRIEST:  The Lord be with You
All:   And also with you
PRIEST: From the holy gospel according to John 15:9-12
All:  Glory to You, O Lord.
Jesus said to his disciples:
"As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you; abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and abide in his love. I have said these things to you so that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be complete.
"This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you."
The Gospel of the Lord.
All Respond:   Praise to you Lord, Jesus Christ.

(25)
PRIEST:  The Lord be with You
All:   And also with you
PRIEST: From the holy gospel according to John 15:12-16
All:  Glory to You, O Lord.
Jesus said to his disciples:
"This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.  No one has greater love than this, to lay down one's life for one's friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you. I do not call you servants anylonger, because the servant does not know what the master is doing; but I have called you friends, because I have made known to you everything that I have heard from my Father. You did not choose me but I chose you. And I appointed you to go and bear fruit, fruit that will last, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask him in my name.
The Gospel of the Lord.
All Respond:   Praise to you Lord, Jesus Christ.

(26)
PRIEST:  The Lord be with You.
All:   And also with you
PRIEST: From the holy gospel according to Matthew 13:44-46
All:  Glory to you, O Lord.
"The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which someone found and hid; then in hisjoy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.
"Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls; on finding one pearl of great value, he went and sold all that he had and bought it. The Gospel of the Lord.
All Respond:   Praise to you Lord, Jesus Christ.

++++++++

OPTIONS FOR THE RESPONSORIAL PSALM:
One of these is chosen and is located between the first and second reading. Usually the psalm is recited by all persons present.  The psalm may be replaced by a suitable hymn.
The format of this responsorial psalm is slightly different from what you may be familiarin an ordinary Catholic ceremony. Instead of everyone repeating a line after each paragraph, these psalms are designed to be printed in the Wedding Booklet and everyone in the congregation reads it out together. It is a wonderful way of getting everyone to join together in prayer.

One of these is chosen and is located between the first and second reading.  Or, if you have chosen only a first reading and the Gospel, then the psalm is placed between the first reading and the Gospel.Usually the psalm is recited by all persons present.  The psalm may be replaced by a suitable hymn.

For a more traditional ‘responsory’ type of psalm, see the psalms near the end of this selection of psalms below…

(27)        Psalm 33

Sing God a new song.
Play music to match
your shout of joy.
For the word of the Lord is true:
what God says, God does.
This lover of truth and justice
fills the earth with love.

The Lord looks down
and sees our humankind.
From heaven God surveys
all peoples on earth
The maker of human hearts
knows every human act.

God keeps a loving eye
on all who believe,
on those who count on God
to bring relief from famine,
to rescue them from death.

With all we are, we wait for God,
the Lord, our help, our shield.
Our hearts find joy in the Lord;
we trust God’s holy name.
Love us, Lord!
We wait for you.

(28)        Psalm 34

I will never stop thanking God,
with constant words of praise.
My soul will boast of God;
the poor will hear me and be glad.

Join me in praising the Lord,
together tell of God’s name.
I asked and the Lord responded,
freed me from all my fears.

Turn to God, be bright with joy;
you shall never be let down.
I begged and God heard,
took my burdens from me.

God’s angel defends the faithful,
guards them on every side.
Drink in the richness of God,
enjoy the strength of the Lord.

Live in awe of God, you saints:
you will want for nothing.

(29)        Psalm 105

Give thanks, acclaim God’s name,
tell all that the Lord has done.
Make music and sing
the Lord’s might wonders!

Revel in God’s holy name,
delight in seeking the Lord.
Look always for the power,
for the presence of God.

Recount the signs and wonders,
the just decrees of God,
you heirs of Abraham and Jacob,
the chosen of the Lord.

(30)        Psalm 113

Servants of God, praise,
praise the name of the Lord.
Bless the Lord’s name
now and always.
Praise the Lord’s name
here and in every place,
from east to west.

The Lord towers above nations,
God’s glory shines over the heavens.
Who compares to our God?
Who is enthroned so high?

The Lord bends down
to see heaven and earth
to raise the weak from the dust
and lift the poor from the mire,
to seat them with princes
in the company of their leaders.
The childless, no longer alone,
rejoice now in many children.
Hallelujah!

(31)         Psalm 112

Happy those who love God
and delight in the law.
Their children shall be blest,
strong and upright in the land.
Their households thrive,
their integrity stands firm.
A light shines on them in darkness,
a God of mercy and justice.

The good lend freely
and deal fairly,
they will never stumble;
their justice shall be remembered.

Bad news holds no power,
strong hearts trust God.
Steady and fearless,
they look down on their enemy.
They support the poor,
their integrity stands firm,
their strength brings them honour.

(32)        Psalm 127

If God does not build the house,
the builders work in vain.
If God does not watch over the city,
the guards watch in vain.

How foolish to rise early
and slave until night for bread.
Those who please God receive as much
even while they sleep.

Children are God’s gift,
a blessing to those who bear them;
like arrows in the hand of an archer
are children born to the young.
Happy those with a full quiver:
facing their enemies at the gate,
they stand without shame!

(33)        Psalm 148

Praise the Lord!
Across the heavens,
from the heights,
all you angels, heavenly beings,
sing praise, sing praise!

Sun andmoon, glittering stars,
sing praise, sing praise.
Highest heavens, rain clouds,
sing praise, sing praise.
Praise God’s name,
whose word called you forth
and fixed you in place forever
by eternal decree.

(34)        Psalm 145

I will bless you every day,
forever praise your name.
Great is the Lord, highly to be praised,
great beyond our reach.

Age to age proclaims your works,
recounts your mighty deeds.
I ponder your splendour and glory
and all your wonderful works.

Gracious and merciful is the Lord,
slow to anger, full of love.
The Lord is good in every way,
merciful to every creature.

The eyes of all look to you,
you give them food in due time.
You open wide your hand
to feed all living things.

The Lord is just in every way,
loving in every deed.
The Lord is near to those who call,
who cry out from their hearts.

(34B) Ps 32:12. 18. 20-22    Resp Psalm

R. The earth is full of the goodness of the Lord.
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. R.
Our soul is waiting for the Lord.
The Lord is our help and our shield.
In him do our hearts findjoy.
We trust in his holy name. R.
May your love be upon us, O Lord,
as we place all our hope in you. R.
+++++
(34C)  Ps 33:2-9         Resp Psalm
R. I will bless the Lord at all times

I will bless the Lord at all times,
his praise always on my lips;
in theLord my soul shall make its boast.
The humble shall hear and be glad. R.
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. R.
Look towards him and be radiant;
let your faces not be abashed.
This poor person called; the Lord heard him
and rescued him from all his distress. R.
The angel of the Lord is encamped
around those who revere him, to rescue them.
Taste and see that the Lord is good.
He is happy who seeks refuge in him. R.
+++++
(34D) Ps 102:1-2. 8. 13. 17-18         Resp Psalm
R. The Lord is kind and merciful.

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. R.
 

The Lord is compassion and love,
slow to anger and rich in mercy.
As a father has compassion on his sons,
the Lord has pity on those who fear him. R.
 

The love of the Lord is everlasting
upon those who hold him in fear;
his justice reaches out to children’s children
when they keep his covenant in truth. R.

+++++
(34E) Ps 111:1-9 Resp Psalm
R. Happy are those who do what the Lord commands.

Happy the one who fears the Lord,
who takes delight in his commands.
His sons will be powerful on earth;
the children of the upright are blessed. R.
 

Riches and wealth are in his house;
his justice stands firm forever.
He is a light in the darkness for the upright:
he is generous, merciful and just. R.
 

The good person takes pity and lends,
he conducts his affairs with honour.
The just one will never waver:
he will be remembered forever. R.
 

He has no fear of evil news;
with a firmheart he trusts in the Lord.
With a steadfast heart he will not fear;
he will see the downfall of his foes. R.
 

Open-handed, he gives to the poor;
his justice stands firm forever.
His head will be raised in glory. R.
+++++

(34F) Ps 127:1-5         Resp Psalm
R. Happy are those who fear the Lord.

O blessed are those who fear the Lord
and walk in his ways!
By the labour of yourhands you shall eat.
You will be happy and prosper. R.
 

Your wife will be like a fruitful vine
in the heart of your house;
your children like shoots of the olive,
around your table. R.
 

Indeed thus shall be blessed
the one who fears the Lord.
May the Lord bless you from Zion
all the days of your life! R.
+++++
(34G)
Ps 144:8-10. 15. 17-18 Resp Psalm
R. The Lord is compassionate to all his creatures.
 

The Lord is kind and full of compassion,
Slow to anger, abounding in love.
How good is the Lord to all,
compassionate to all his creatures. R.
 

All your creatures shall thank you, O Lord,
and your friends shall repeat their blessing.
The eyes of all creatures look to you
and give them their food in due time. R.
 

The Lord is just in all his ways
and loving in all his deeds.
He is close to all who call him,
who call on him from their hearts. R.

+++++
(34H) Ps 148:1-4. 9-14         Resp Psalm

R. Let all praise the name of the Lord

Praise the Lord from the heavens,
praise him in the heights.
Praise him, all his angels,
praise him, all his host. R.
 

Praise him, sun andmoon,
praise him, shining stars.
Praise him, highest heavens
and the waters above the heavens. R.
 

All mountains and hills,
all fruit trees and cedars,
beasts, wild and tame,
reptiles and birds on the wing. R.
 

All earth’s kings and peoples,
earth’s princes and rulers:
young men and maidens,
old men together with children. R.
 

Let them praise the name of the Lord
for he alone is exalted.
The splendour of his name
reaches beyond heaven and earth. R.

OPTIONS FOR THE VOWS ETC...
INTRODUCTORY ADDRESS

The priest addresses the bride and groom:

Dearly beloved,
you have come together into the house of the Church,
so that in the presence of the Church’s minister and the community
your intention to enter into Marriage
may be strengthened by the Lord with a sacred seal.
Christ abundantly blesses the love that binds you.
Through a special Sacrament,
he enriches and strengthens
those he has already consecrated by Holy Baptism,
that they may be faithful to each other forever
and assume all the responsibilities of married life.
And so, in the presence of the Church,
I ask you to state your intentions.

STATEMENT OF INTENTIONS

Questions Before the Consent

(BRIDE FIRST NAME), AND (GROOM’S FIRST NAME),
have you come here to enter into Marriage
without coercion,
freely and wholeheartedly?
The bridegroom and bride each say:

I have.

Are you prepared, as you follow the path of Marriage,
to love and honour each other
for as long as you both shall live?

I am.

Are you prepared to accept children lovingly from God
and to bring them up
according to the law of Christ and his Church?

I am.

Consent

Since it is your intention to enter the covenant of Holy Matrimony,
join your right hands and declare your consent
before God and his Church.

(35)        NEW VOWS
The bridegroom says:
I, [GROOM], take you, [BRIDE], to be my wife.
I promise to be faithful to you,
in good times and in bad,
in sickness and in health,
to love you and to honour you
all the days of my life.
The bride says:
I, [BRIDE], take you, [GROOM], to be my husband.
I promise to be faithful to you,
in good times and in bad,
in sickness and in health,
to love you and to honour you
all the days of my life.

(36)        TRADITIONAL VOWS
The bridegroom says:
I, [GROOM], take you, [BRIDE], 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.
 

I, [BRIDE], take you, [GROOM], 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.

Or, the following special alternative form may be used: (see below….)

(36B)  ‘First, the Priest asks the bridegroom:
[GROOM], do you take [BRIDE], to be your wife?
Do you promise to be faithful to her
in good times and in bad,
in sickness and in health,
to love her and to honour her
all the days of your life?
The bridegroom replies:
I do.
Next, the Priest asks the bride:
[BRIDE], do you take [GROOM], to be your husband?
Do you promise to be faithful to him
in good times and in bad,
in sickness and in health,
to love him and to honour him
all the days of your life?
The bride replies:
I do.

RECEPTION OF CONSENT

Priest:
May the Lord in his kindness strengthen the consent
you have declared before the Church,
and graciously bring to fulfilment his blessing within you.
What God joins together, let no one put asunder.
Let us bless the Lord.
Thanks be to God.

Or

Priest:
May the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, the God of Jacob,
the God who joined together our first parents in paradise,
strengthen and bless in Christ
the consent you have declared before the Church,
so that what God joins together, no one may put asunder.
Let us bless the Lord.
Thanks be to God.

The Rings are Blessed
May the Lord bless + these rings,
which you will give to each other
as a sign of love and fidelity.
Amen.

Or
Bless, O Lord, these rings,
which we bless + in your name,
so that those who wear them
may remain entirely faithful to each other,
abide in peace and in your will,
and live always in mutual charity.
Through Christ our Lord.
Amen.

Or
Bless + and sanctify your servants
in their love, O Lord,
and let these rings, a sign of their faithfulness,
remind them of their love for one another.
Through Christ our Lord.
Amen.

The couple give each other a ring saying:-

 

[BRIDE], receive 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.

 

[GROOM], receive 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.

 OPTIONS FOR THE BLESSING PRAYER THAT THE PRIEST PRAYS OVER THE NEWLY MARRIED COUPLE
NUPTIAL BLESSING:

Priest prays:
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 one heart in love
(by the Sacrament of Christ’s Body and Blood)
those he has joined by a holy covenant.
(All pray silently for a short while.
Then the priest extends his hands and continues: )

Or
Now let us humbly invoke 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.
(All pray silently for a short while.
Then the priest extends his hands and continues: )

Or
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.

(All pray silently for a short while.
Then the priest extends his hands and continues: )

(Then,…..)_
(37) (also known as option A)
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 you 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 their hearts,
that they may remain faithful in the Marriage covenant.
May the grace of love and peace
abide in your daughter [BRIDE],
and let her 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
with 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.
Amen.
 

(38) (also known as option B)
Holy Father,
who formed man in your own image,
male and female you created them,
so that as husband 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 the 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 ([BRIDE] and [GROOM]), 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 [BRIDE],
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 [GROOM], your servant,
that he may be a worthy, good and
faithful husband (and a provident 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.
Amen.

(39) (also known as option C)
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 you for these your servants,
who are joined today in the Sacrament of Matrimony.
May your abundant blessing, Lord,
come down upon this bride, [BRIDE],
and upon [GROOM], her companion for life,
and may the power of your Holy Spirit
set their hearts aflame from 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 the 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.
Amen.

OPTIONS FOR PRAYERS OF THE FAITHFUL:--
PRAYERS OF THE FAITHFUL
(ALSO KNOWN AS “GENERAL INTERCESSIONS”)
 

You are invited to compose some of your own prayers.  There is a FORMAT to be used when writing these prayers.  The format is set out below, for your guidance. Please read them carefully. If you would like to use these prayers, they can be adapted if a word or phrase does not suit the circumstances of this wedding.

Usually people choose between 5 and 9 prayers.  You are invited to choose a person to read these.  Alternatively, more than one person may be called to share these prayers.

If more than one person reads these prayers, all should come to the microphone together, and return to their places together, after all the prayers are read.

(please note, newer versions of this handout have re-numbered and even deleted selections from below. Please double-check which prayers are requested)

The response by the congregation, after each of these prayers is “Lord, hear our prayer.”

For ........ and .......: that they may always walk in the light of true love.  Let us pray to the Lord.
All Respond:   Lord, hear our prayer

That, through the gift of the Holy Spirit, their lives may be lived in love and kindness.  Let us pray to the Lord.
All Respond:   Lord, hear our prayer

 That God will bless the home they make together, and grace their home with hospitality, friendship and prayer. Let us pray to the Lord.
All Respond:   Lord, hear our prayer
                                                                                                       
That God will make their marriage and their love an expression of God’s creative love.  Let us pray to the Lord.
All Respond:   Lord, hear our prayer
                                                               
That they may live the grace of marriage, supporting each other in their joys and sorrows, their hopes and disappointments. Let us pray to the Lord.
All Respond:   Lord, hear our prayer

                                  
For all here present: that we may derive joy and hope for our lives from this celebration.  Let us pray to the Lord.
All Respond:   Lord, hear our prayer
                                                                         
For the faithful departed, especially our own relatives and friends: that their blessings and prayers may be shining down upon us, from God’s Heavenly Kingdom, on this special day of joy and love. Let us pray to the Lord.
All Respond:   Lord, hear our prayer

8. For ...............................................................................................................................................
    ........................................................................................................... Let us pray to the Lord.
All Respond:   Lord, hear our prayer

 The Rites used in this brochure are taken from: "Rite of Marriage",
2015, prepared by the International Commission on English in the Liturgy
The Bible readings used in this brochure are taken from: "The New Revised Standard Version Bible", 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in USA

Psalms are taken from the New ICEL translation. Copyright 1994, International Committee on English in the Liturgy. Published by Liturgy Training Publications, Chicago.