The Marriage of

N
&
N

(Date)

The Church of Saint Michael/Mary*,

Enniskillen/Lisbellaw*

* Delete or change name & place of church as appropriate above

 THE BRIDAL PARTY

Bride:
Groom:
Priest:

Parents of the Bride:

Parents of the Groom:

Chief Bridesmaid:
Bridesmaids:

Best Man:
Groomsmen:

Flower Girl:
Page Boy:

Ushers:
 THE INTRODUCTORY RITES

Music for the Entrance of the Bridal Party: _________________________

P In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
C Amen

P The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God,
and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
C And with your spirit

The Lighting of the Individual Candles

After a brief introduction, N & N light the individual candles, representing the love and the light
they bring as individuals to this day.

Gloria
P Glory to God in the highest,
C and on earth peace to people of good will.
We praise you,
we bless you,
we adore you,
we glorify you,
we give you thanks for your great glory,
Lord God, heavenly King,
O God, almighty Father.

Lord Jesus Christ, Only Begotten Son,

Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father,
you take away the sins of the world,
have mercy on us;
you take away the sins of the world,
receive our prayer;
you are seated at the right hand of the Father,
have mercy on us.

For you alone are the Holy One,

you alone are the Lord,
you alone are the Most High,
Jesus Christ,
 with the Holy Spirit,
in the glory of God the Father.
Amen.

The Collect
P Let us pray
Be attentive to our prayers, O Lord,
and in your kindness
pour out your grace on these your servants N. and N.,
that, coming together before your altar,
they may be confirmed in love for one another.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.
C Amen.

THE LITURGY OF THE WORD

First Reading
This reading is usually proclaimed by a reader chosen by a friend or member of the family. Choose
one of the options that follow:

Option 1
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 you heart, like
a seal on you arm. For love is strong as Death, jealously relentless as Sheol. The
flash of it is a flash of fire, a flame of the Lord himself. Love no flood can
quench, no torrents drown.
The word of the Lord
Thanks to be God.

Option 2
A reading from the book of Genesis (Gen 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, 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 them,
male and female he created them.
God blessed them, saying to them, "Be fruitful, multiply, fill the earth and
conquer it. Be masters of the fish of the sea, the birds of heaven and all living
animals on the earth." God saw all he had made, and indeed it was very good.
The word of the Lord
Thanks to be God.

Option 3
A reading from the book of Genesis (Gen 2:18-24)
The Lord God said, "It is not good that man should be alone, I will make him a
helpmate. So from the soil the Lord fashioned all the 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 wild
beasts. But no helpmate suitable for man was found for him. So the Lord God
made the man fall into a deep sleep. And while he slept he took one of his ribs
and enclosed it in flesh. The Lord 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
Thanks to be God.

Option 4
A reading from the book of Tobit (Tobit 8:4-8)
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", She stood up, and they began
praying for 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 helpmate 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
Thanks to be God.
Option 5
A reading from the Song of Songs (Song of Songs 8:6-7)
Set me like a seal on your heart, like a seal on your arm. For love is strong as
death, passion as relentless as Sheol.
The flash of it is a flash of fire, a flame of Yahweh himself. Love no flood can
quench, no torrents drown.
Were a man to offer all his family wealth to buy love, contempt is all that he
would gain. Haste away, my love, be like a gazelle, a young stag, on the spice-
laden mountain.
The word of the Lord
Thanks to be God.

Option 6
A reading from the book of Ruth (Ruth 1: 16-17)
But Ruth said, "Do not press me to leave and to stop going with you, for wherever
you go, I shall go, wherever you live, I shall live. Your people will be my people,
and your God will be my God. Where you die, I shall die and there I shall be
buried. Let Yahweh bring unnameable ills on me and worse ills, too, if anything
but death should part me from you!"
The word of the Lord
Thanks to be God.

Option 7
A reading from the Book of Ecclesiasticus (Ecclesiasticus 6: 5-7; 14-17)
A kindly turn of speech multiplies a man’s friends,
and a courteous way of speaking invites many a friendly reply.
Let your acquaintances be many,
but your advisers one in a thousand.
If you want to make a friend, take him on trial,
and be in no hurry to trust him.
A faithful friend is a sure shelter,
who ever finds one has found a rare treasure.
A faithful friend is something beyond price,
there is no measuring his worth.
A faithful friend is the elixir of life,
and those who fear the Lord will find one.
Whoever fears the Lord makes true friends,
for as a man is, so is his friend.
The word of the Lord
Thanks to be God.
Option 8
A reading from the book of Numbers (Numbers 6:22-27)
The Lord spoke to Moses, saying: Speak to Aaron and his sons, saying, thus you
shall bless the Israelites: you shall say to them,
The Lord bless you and keep you;
The Lord make his face to shine upon you, and be gracious to you;
The Lord lift up his countenance upon you, and give you peace.
The word of the Lord
Thanks be to God.

Responsorial Psalm
The Responsorial Psalm is intended as as an opportunity for all gathered to respond to the word of
God as proclaimed from the Sacred Scriptures. It is preferable that it be sung by a Cantor (Solo
Singer) with a congregational response sung after each verse of the Psalm.

Option 1
Response: The Lord is compassion and love

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)

Option 2
Response: The Lord fills the earth with his love

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 find joy.
We trust in his holy name. (R)

May your love be upon us, O Lord,

as we place all our hope in you. (R)

Option 3
Response: The Lord is my shepherd, there is nothing I shall want

The Lord is my shepherd,

There is nothing I shall want.
Fresh and green are the pastures
Where he gives me repose.
Near restful waters He leads me
To revive my drooping spirit. (R)

He guides me along the right path;

He is true to his name.
If I should walk in the valley of darkness
No evil would I fear.
You are there with your crook and your staff;
With these you give me comfort. (R)

You have prepared a banquet for me

In the sight of my foes.
My head you have anointed with oil;
My cup is overflowing. (R)

Surely goodness and kindness shall follow me

All the days of my life.
In the Lord's own house shall I dwell
For ever and ever. (R)

Option 4
Response: 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 and moon,

praise him, shining stars.
Praise him, highest heavens
and the waters above the heavens. (R)

All mountains and hills,

all fruit tress 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)

Option 5
Response: May your love be upon us, O Lord,
as we place all our hope in you

For the love of the Lord is faithful,

and all his works to be trusted.
The Lord loves justice and right
and fills the earth with his love. (R)

The Lord looks on those who revere him,

On those who hope in his love,
To rescue their souls from death,
to keep them alive in famine. (R)

Our soul is waiting for the Lord:-

The Lord is our help and our shield,
In him do our hearts find joy;
We trust in his holy name. (R)
Second Reading
This reading is usually proclaimed by a reader chosen by a friend or member of the family. Choose
one of the options that follow:

Option 1
A reading from the letter of St Paul to the Ephesians
For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in
heaven and on earth takes its name. I pray that, according to the riches of his
glory, he may grant that you may be strengthened in your inner being with power
through his Spirit, and that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith, as you
are being rooted and grounded in love. I pray that you may have the power to
comprehend, with all the saints, what is the breadth and length and height and
depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, so that you may
be filled with all the fullness of God.
The word of the Lord
Thanks be to God.

Option 2
A reading from the first letter of St Paul to the Corinthians (1 Cor 12:31-13:8)
Be ambitious for the higher gifts. And I am going to 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 no 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.
Thanks be to God.

Option 3
A reading from the letter of St Paul to the Romans (Rom 12:1-2. 9-18)
Think of God's mercy, my brothers and sisters, and worship him, I beg you, in a
way that is worthy of thinking beings, by offering your loving bodies as a holy
sacrifice, truly pleasing to God. Do not model yourselves on the behaviours 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.
Bless those who persecute you: never curse them, bless them. Rejoice with those
who rejoice and be sad with those in sorrow. Treat everyone with equal kindness;
never be condescending but make real friends with the poor. Do not allow
yourself to become self-satisfied. Never repay evil with evil but let everyone see
that you are interested in the highest ideals. Do all you can to live at peace with
everyone.
The word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.

Option 4
A reading from the first letter of St John (1 Jn 4:7-12)
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 was 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.
Thanks be to God.

Option 5
A reading from the letter of St Paul to the Romans (Rom 12:1-2. 9-18)
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.
Bless those who persecute you: never curse them, bless them. Rejoice with those
who rejoice and be sad with those in sorrow. Treat everyone with equal kindness;
never be condescending but make real friends with the poor. Do not allow
yourself to become self-satisfied. Never repay evil with evil but let everyone see
that you are interested in the highest ideals. Do all you can to live at peace with
everyone.
The word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.

Option 6
A reading from the letter of St Paul to the Colossians (Col 3:12-17)
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 you 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.
Thanks be to God.

Option 7
A reading from St Paul's letter to the Ephesians (Eph 5:2. 25-32)
Follow Christ by loving as he loved you, giving himself up in our place.
Husbands should love their wives just as Christ loved the Church and sacrificed
himself for her to make her holy. He made her clean by washing her in water with
a form of words, so that when he took her to himself she would be glorious, with
no speck or wrinkle or anything like that, but holy and faultless. In the same way,
husbands must love their wives as they love their own bodies; for a man to love
his wife is for him to love himself. A man never hates his own body, but feeds it
and looks after it; and that is the way Christ treats the Church, because it is his
body - and we are its living parts. For this reason, a man must leave his father and
mother and be joined to his wife, and the two will become one body. This
mystery has many implications; but I am saying it applies to Christ and the
Church.
The word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
Option 8
A reading from the letter of St Paul to the Philippians (Phil 4:4-9)
I want you to be happy always in the Lord. I repeat, what I want is your
happiness. Let your tolerance be evident to everyone - the Lord is very near.
There is no need to worry, but if there is anything you need, pray for it, asking
God for it with prayer and thanks giving and that peace of God which is so much
greater than we can understand will guard you hearts and your thoughts in Christ
Jesus. Finally brothers and sisters, fill your minds with everything that is true,
everything that is noble, everything that is good and pure, everything that we love
and honour and everything that can be thought virtuous and worthy of praise.
Keep doing all the things that you learned from me and have been taught by me
and have heard or seen that I do. Then the God of peace will be with you.
The word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.

Gospel Acclamation
One of the Acclamations given below may be sung. Alternatively, another shorter hymn may be
appropriate.

Option 1
Alleluia, Alleluia!
As long as we love one another
God will live in us,
and his love will be complete is us.
Alleluia

Option 2
Alleluia, Alleluia!
God is love;
let us love one another
as God has loved us.
Alleluia

The Gospel
The Gospel text is read by the priest.
P The Lord be with you.
C And with your spirit.

Option 1
P A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew (Mt 5:1-12)
C Glory to you, O Lord.
Seeing the crowds, Jesus went up the hill. There he sat down and was joined by
his disciples. 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.
Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

Option 2
P A reading from the holy Gospel according to John (Jn 2:1-11)
C Glory to you, O Lord.
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 Jesus 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 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 had 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.
Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

Option 3
P A reading from the holy Gospel according to John (Jn 15:12-16)
C Glory to you, O Lord.
Jesus said to his disciples: "This is my commandment: love one another, as I
have loved you. A man can have no greater love that 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 to bear fruit, fruit that will last; then the Father will give you anything you
ask him in my name."
P The Gospel of the Lord.
C Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

Option 4
P A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew (Mt 5:13-16)
C Glory to you, O Lord.
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 the praise to your Father in
heaven."
P The Gospel of the Lord.
C Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

Option 6
P A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew (Mt 19:3-6)
C Glory to you, O Lord.
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 way 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 not divide."
P The Gospel of the Lord.
C Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.
Option 7
P A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew (Mt 7:21. 24-29)
C Glory to you, O Lord.
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"! Jesus had now finished what he wanted to say, and his teaching made a
deep impression on the people because he taught them with authority, and not like
their own scribes.
P The Gospel of the Lord.
C Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

Option 8
P A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew (Mt 13:44-45)
C Glory to you, O Lord.
The kingdom of Heaven is like a treasure hidden in a field which someone has
found; he hides it again, goes off in his joy, sells everything he owns and buys the
field. Again, the kingdom of Heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls;
when he finds one of great value he goes and sells everything he owns and buys it.
P The Gospel of the Lord.
C Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

Option 9
P A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke (Lk 6:36-38)
C Glory to you, O Lord.
Be compassionate just as your Father is compassionate. Do not judge, and you
will not be judged; do not condemn, and you will not be condemned; forgive, and
you will be forgiven. Give, and there will be gifts for you: a full measure,
pressed down, shaken together, and over flowing, will be poured into your lap,
because the standard you use will be the standard used for you.
P The Gospel of the Lord.
C Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

The Homily
 THE RITE OF MARRIAGE

There are three parts to the Rite of Marriage: (1) The Address in which the couple to be married
publicly declare that their acceptance of what they undertake; (2) the Declaration of Consent in
which the couple give their consent to be married to each other; and (3) the Blessing and Exchange
of Rings. The priest conducts this Rite. There are a number of options from which to choose for each
of these parts

The Address

Option 1
P 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 of this community.
Christ blesses this love. He has already consecrated you in baptism; now,
by a special sacrament, he strengthens you to fulfil the duties of your
married life.

N and N, 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?
Both: We have.

P Will you love and honour each other in marriage all the days of your life?
Both: We will

P Are you willing to accept with love the children God may send you and
bring them up in accordance with the law of Christ and his church?
Both: We are.

Option 2
P 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 of this community.
Christian marriage is a sacred union which enriches natural love. It binds
those who enter it to be faithful to each other for ever; it creates between
them a bond that endures for life and cannot be broken; it demands that
they love and honour each other, that they accept from God the children
he may give them, and bring them up in his love.
To help them in their marriage the husband and wife receive the life-long
grace of the sacrament.
Is this your understanding of marriage?
Both: It is.
The Declaration of Consent

P I invite you then to declare before God and his Church, your consent to
become husband and wife.

Option 1
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?
N I do

P N, do you take N as your husband,

for better, for worse,
for richer, for poorer,
in sickness and in health,
all the days of your life?

N I do

P What God joins together man must not separate.

May the Lord confirm the consent that you have given,
and enrich you with his blessings.
C Amen.

Option 2
N 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 life

N 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.

P What God joins together man must not separate.

May the Lord confirm the consent that you have given,
 and enrich you with his blessings.
C Amen.

The Blessing & Exchange of Rings

Option 1
P Lord, bless N and N and consecrate their married life.
May these rings be a symbol of their faith in each other and
a reminder of their love. Through Christ our Lord.
Both: Amen.

Option 2
P Lord, bless these rings. Grant that those who wear them may always be
faithful to each other. May they do your will and live in peace with you
and in mutual love. Through Christ our Lord.

Both: Amen.

N: N, wear this ring as a sign of our faithful love,

in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

N: N, wear this ring as a sign of our faithful love,

in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

The Groom may give the Bride a token or small gift and may say the following.
N: I give you this gold and silver, tokens of all I possess.
(or: I give you this gift, a token of all I possess)

Hymn/Anthem
This would be an appropriate moment for all to worship God in song together. During this hymn the
couple may light their Marriage Candle

The Lighting of the Individual Candles

N & N now light the marriage candle to represent their unity in marriage.
The Prayer of the Faithful
(Some four or five of the following prayer options may be read by guests or friends or family
members as desired by the couple.)

P Now that N and N have given themselves to each other in

Christian Marriage let us ask God our Father to keep them and
all married couples faithful to him, and united in themselves.

Option 1
R For N and N that the Lord, who has brought them to this happy day, will
keep them forever in fidelity and love. Lord hear us:
C Lord graciously hear us.

Option 2
R For their parents of N and N, for their friends and all who have helped
them to become husband and wife, Lord hear us:
C Lord graciously hear us.

Option 3
R For the world and its peoples that the Lord may bless them with his peace
and the protection of his love. Lord hear us:
C Lord graciously hear us.

Option 4
R For our community and our families, who welcome Christ into their lives;
that they may learn to receive him in the poor and suffering people of the
world. Lord hear us:
C Lord graciously hear us.

Option 5
R For God’s Church, the Bride of Christ, that it may be united in faith and
love, Lord hear us:
C Lord graciously hear us.

Option 6
R For all who are victims of injustice, and for those deprived of love and
affection, Lord hear us:
C Lord graciously hear us.

Option 7
R For married couples everywhere that their lives will be an example to the
world of unity, fidelity and love, Lord hear us:
C Lord graciously hear us.
Option 8
R For those who mourn, while we are rejoicing, that in their suffering and
loneliness they may experience the strength of God’s support, Lord hear
us:
C Lord graciously hear us.

Option 9
R We remember those departed from us in this life, and especially those
whom we, ourselves, have loved: that God will one day unite us again in
the joys of our eternal home, Lord hear us:
C Lord graciously hear us.

(Note: The priest concludes as follows:)

P God, our Father, you have taught us that love is the fulfilment of the law:
may N and N grow in love for each other, and always remain in your
love. We ask this through Christ our Lord.
C Amen.

THE LITURGY OF THE EUCHARIST

Music: _________________________

The Preparation of the Offerings

N & N now bring forward the gifts of bread and wine for the Eucharist.

P Blessed are you, Lord God of all creation,

for through your goodness we have received
the bread we offer you:
fruit of the earth and work of human hands,
it will become for us the bread of life.
C Blessed be God for ever.

P Blessed are you, Lord God of all creation,

for through your goodness we have received
the wine we offer you:
fruit of the vine and work of human hands,
it will become our spiritual drink.
C Blessed be God for ever.
P Pray, brothers and sisters,
that my sacrifice and yours
may be acceptable to God,
the almighty Father.

C May the Lord accept the sacrifice at your hands

for the praise and glory of his name,
for our good
and the good of all his holy Church.

Prayer over the Offerings

P Receive, we pray, O Lord,
the offering made on the occasion
of this sealing of the sacred bond of Marriage,
and, just as your goodness is its origin,
may you providence guide its course,
Through Christ our Lord.
C Amen.

The Eucharistic Prayer

P The Lord be with you.

C And with your spirit.
P Life up your hearts.
C We lift them up to the Lord.
P Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
C It is right and just.

P It is truly right and just, our duty and our salvation,

always and everywhere to give you thanks,
Lord, holy Father, almighty and eternal God,
through Christ our Lord.

For in him you have made a new covenant with your people,
so that, as you have redeemed man and woman
by the mystery of Christ’s Death and Resurrection,
so in Christ you might make them partakers of divine nature
and joint heirs with him of heavenly glory.

In the union of husband and wife

you give a sign of Christ’s loving gift of grace,
 so that the Sacrament we celebrate
might draw us back more deeply
into the wondrous design of your love.

C Holy, holy, holy Lord God of hosts.

Heaven and earth are full of your glory.
Hosanna in the highest.
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
Hosanna in the highest.

(For the remainder of the Eucharistic Prayer, choose either Option 1 or Option 2 below:)

Option 1:
P You are indeed Holy, O Lord,
the fount of all holiness.
Make holy, therefore, these gifts, we pray,
by sending down your Spirit upon them like the dewfall,
so that they may become for us
the Body and Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ.

At the time he was betrayed

and entered willingly into his Passion,
he took bread and, giving thanks, broke it,
and gave it to his disciples, saying:
TAKE THIS, ALL OF YOU, AND EAT OF IT,
FOR THIS IS MY BODY,
WHICH WILL BE GIVEN UP FOR YOU.

In a similar way, when supper was ended,

he took the chalice
and, once more giving thanks,
he gave it to his disciples, saying:
TAKE THIS, ALL OF YOU, AND DRINK FROM IT,
FOR THIS IS THE CHALICE OF MY BLOOD,
THE BLOOD OF THE NEW AND ETERNAL COVENANT,
WHICH WILL BE POURED OUT FOR YOU AND FOR MANY
FOR THE FORGIVENESS OF SINS.

DO THIS IN MEMORY OF ME.

The mystery of faith.

We proclaim your Death, O Lord,

and profess your Resurrection
until you come again.
Or:
When we eat this Bread and drink this Cup,
we proclaim your Death, O Lord,
until you come again.
Or:
Save us, Saviour of the world,
for by your Cross and Resurrection
you have set us free.

Therefore, as we celebrate
the memorial of his Death and Resurrection,
we offer you, Lord,
the Bread of life and the Chalice of salvation,
giving thanks that you have held us worthy
to be in your presence and minister to you.
Humbly we pray
that, partaking of the Body and Blood of Christ,
we may be gathered into one by the Holy Spirit.

Remember, Lord, your Church,

spread throughout the world,
and bring her to the fullness of charity,
together with Benedict our Pope, Liam our Bishop,
and all the clergy.

Be mindful also, Lord, of N. and N.,

whom you have brought to their wedding day,
so that by your grace
they may abide in mutual love and in peace.

Remember also our brothers and sisters

who have fallen asleep in the hope of the resurrection,
and all who have died in your mercy:
welcome them into the light of your face.
Have mercy on us all, we pray,
that with the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God,
with the blessed Apostles,
and all the Saints who have pleased you throughout the ages,
we may merit to be coheirs to eternal life,
and may praise and glorify you
through your Son, Jesus Christ.
 Through him, and with him, and in him,
O God, almighty Father,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
all glory and honour is yours,
for ever and ever.
C Amen.

Option 2:
P You are indeed Holy, O Lord,
and all you have created
rightly gives you praise,
for through your Son our Lord Jesus Christ,
by the power and working of the Holy Spirit,
you give life to all things and make them holy,
and you never cease to gather a people to yourself,
so that from the rising of the sun to its setting
a pure sacrifice may be offered to your name.

Therefore, O Lord, we humbly implore you:

by the same Spirit graciously make holy
these gifts we have brought to you for consecration,
that they may become the Body and Blood
of your Son our Lord Jesus Christ,
at whose command we celebrate these mysteries.

For on the night he was betrayed

he himself took bread,
and, giving you thanks, he said the blessing,
broke the bread and gave it to his disciples, saying:
TAKE THIS, ALL OF YOU, AND EAT OF IT,
FOR THIS IS MY BODY,
WHICH WILL BE GIVEN UP FOR YOU.

In a similar way, when supper was ended,

he took the chalice,
and, giving you thanks, he said the blessing,
and gave the chalice to his disciples, saying:
TAKE THIS, ALL OF YOU, AND DRINK FROM IT,
FOR THIS IS THE CHALICE OF MY BLOOD,
THE BLOOD OF THE NEW AND ETERNAL COVENANT,
WHICH WILL BE POURED OUT FOR YOU AND FOR MANY
FOR THE FORGIVENESS OF SINS.

DO THIS IN MEMORY OF ME.

The mystery of faith.

We proclaim your Death, O Lord,

and profess your Resurrection
until you come again.
Or:
When we eat this Bread and drink this Cup,
we proclaim your Death, O Lord,
until you come again.
Or:
Save us, Saviour of the world,
for by your Cross and Resurrection
you have set us free.

Therefore, O Lord, as we celebrate the memorial

of the saving Passion of your Son,
his wondrous Resurrection
and Ascension into heaven,
and as we look forward to his second coming,
we offer you in thanksgiving
this holy and living sacrifice.

Look, we pray, upon the oblation of your Church

and, recognising the sacrificial Victim by whose death
you willed to reconcile us to yourself,
grant that we, who are nourished
by the Body and Blood of your Son
and filled with his Holy Spirit,
may become one body, one spirit in Christ.

May he make of us
an eternal offering to you,
so that we may obtain an inheritance with your elect,
especially with the most Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God,
with your blessed Apostles and glorious Martyrs
and with all the Saints,
on whose constant intercession in your presence
we rely for unfailing help.

May this Sacrifice of our reconciliation,

 we pray, O Lord,
advance the peace and salvation of all the world.
Be pleased to confirm in faith and charity
your pilgrim Church on earth,
with your servant Benedict our Pope, Liam our Bishop,
the Order of Bishops, all the clergy,
and the entire people you have gained for your own.
Listen graciously to the prayers of this family,
whom you have summoned before you:

Strengthen, we pray, in the grace of Marriage N. and N.,

whom you have brought happily to their wedding day,
that under your protection
they may always be faithful in their lives
to the covenant they have sealed in your presence.
In your compassion, O merciful Father,
gather to yourself all your children
scattered throughout the world.

To our departed brothers and sisters

and to all who were pleasing to you
at their passing from this life,
give kind admittance to your kingdom.
There we hope to enjoy for ever the fullness of your glory
through Christ our Lord,
through whom you bestow on the world all that is good.

Through him, and with him, and in him,

O God, almighty Father,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
all glory and honour is yours,
for ever and ever.
C Amen.
 The Communion Rite

P At the Saviour’s command and formed by divine teaching, we dare to say:

Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come.
Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
and forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us,
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.

The Nuptial Blessing

P Let us humbly invoke by our prayers, dear brothers and sisters, God’s
blessing upon this bride and groom,
that in his kindness he may favour with his help
those on whom he has bestowed the Sacrament of Matrimony.
All pray silently for a short while.
Then the priest continues:

Option 1
Let us humbly invoke by our prayers, dear brothers and sisters, God’s
blessing upon this bride and groom,
that in his kindness he may favour with his help
those on whom he has bestowed the Sacrament of Matrimony.
All pray silently for a short while.
Then the priest continues:

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, N.
and upon N., 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.
C Amen.

Option 2
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 make with your people,
so that, by fulfilment of the sacramental sign,
the mystical marriage of Christ with his Church
might become manifest
in the union of husband and wife among your faithful;

Graciously stretch out your right hand

over these your servants N and N, we pray,
and pour into their hearts the power of the Holy Spirit.

Grant, O Lord,
that, as they enter upon this sacramental union,
they may share with one another the gifts of your love
and, by being for each other a sign of your presence,
become one heart and one mind.

May they also sustain, O Lord, by their deeds

the home they are forming
and prepare their children
to become members of your heavenly household
by raising them in the way of the Gospel.
 Graciously crown with your blessings your daughter N,
so that, by being a good wife and mother,
she may bring warmth to her home with a love that is pure
and adorn it with welcoming graciousness.

Bestow a heavenly blessing also, O Lord,

on N, your servant,
that he may be a worthy, good and faithful husband
and 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.
C Amen.

The Rite of Peace

P Lord Jesus Christ, who said to your Apostles:

Peace I leave you, my peace I give you;
look not on our sins, but on the faith of your Church,
and graciously grant her peace and unity
in accordance with your will.
Who live and reign for ever and ever.
C Amen.

P The peace of the Lord be with you always.

C And with your spirit.
P Let us offer each other a sign of peace.

C Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world:

have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world:
have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world:
grant us peace.

P Behold the Lamb of God,

behold him who takes away the sins of the world.
Blessed are those called to the supper of the Lamb.
C Lord, I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof,
but only say the word and my soul shall be healed.

Music: _________________________

Prayer after Communion

P Let us pray.
Grant, we pray, almighty God,
that the power of the Sacrament we have received
may find growth in these your servants
and that the effects of the sacrifice we have offered
may be felt by us all.
through Christ our Lord.
C Amen.

THE CONCLUDING RITE

The Blessing & Dismissal

P The Lord be with you.

C And with your spirit.

P May God the eternal Father

keep you of one heart in love for one another,
that the peace of Christ may dwell in you
and abide always in your home.
C Amen

P May you be blessed in your children,

have solace in your friends
and enjoy true peace with everyone.
C Amen.

P May you be witnesses in the world to God’s charity,

so that the afflicted and needy who have known your kindness
may one day receive you thankfully into the eternal dwelling of God
C Amen.

P And may almighty God bless all of you, who are gathered here,
 the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
C Amen.

P Go in peace, glorifying the Lord by your life.

C Thanks be to God.

Signing of the Marriage Schedule

Music: _________________________

You might like to include one of the following by way of a Reflection for your wedding booklet

Reflection Option 1
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 your 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.

Reflection Option 2
It takes a ring, it takes a prayer.
It takes a dream two people share.
It takes two hearts that beat as one.
It takes faith in years to come.
It takes God's blessing from above.
But most of all it takes your love.
Reflection Option 3
Love is life’s most beautiful mystery
It often comes as a surprise
filling the heart with joy,
selfless and giving
Love places the happiness of another,
before one’s own.
It inspires with its passion,
matures with its generosity
and enriches with its spirit.
There’s no limit to love:
love is eternal.

You might like to include one of the following by way of a ‘Thank You’ Note

Thank you - Option 1

We would like to thank our families and friends
for coming to share this special day with us.

N&N

Thank you - Option 2

To our parents, families and our friends,
we thank you for your help
in making this day so special for us.

N&N

Thank you - Option 3

We thank you all, parents, family and friends,
for being with us on this happy day.

N&N

Thank you - Option 4

We thank you each and everyone
For joining us this day
You added to our happiness
In a very special way.
 And as the years shall come and go
Our dreams will give us pleasure.
And bring you back to us again
In memories to treasure.

N&N

Thank you - Option 5

Thank you, friends and neighbours,
And relatives so dear,
For all the joy you've wished us,
And for your presence here.

N&N