CHRISTIAN CEREMONY #24
A ROMAN CATHOLIC CEREMONY
PRESENTATION OF THE BRIDE
Is there one of her family who is prepared to present _(Bride)_ to _(Groom)_? / I do. / Her Mom and I do.
TO GUESTS
In recognition of the part that family and friends have had in their lives to this point, and in affirmation of their desire publicly to declare their mutual commitment to marriage, _(Groom)_ and _(Bride)_ have invited you to this ceremony.
What greater thing is there for two human souls
than to feel that they are joined together to strengthen each other in all labor, to minister to each other in all sorrow,
to share with each other in all gladness,
to be one with each other in the silent unspoken memories? — George Elliot
Marriage as the foundation of a healthy society, and as a part of the society in which _(Groom)_ and _(Bride)_ shall live, we are called upon to be thankful when they experience happiness, to be understanding when they err, to assist them in times of difficulties and to be prayerful at all times for their well-being.
They are both pleased and honoured that you have responded to their invitation to share these happy and sacred moments with them.
TO COUPLE
_(Groom)_ and _(Bride)_ , today you are performing an act of complete faith, each in the other. This is the heart of the marriage relationship you are initiating today. In a world where faith often falls short of expectation, it is a tribute to you that you desire this depth of commitment and relationship.
_(Groom)_ and _(Bride)_ , remember to treat both yourself and each other with respect, and remind yourselves often of what brought you together. Give highest priority to the tenderness, gentleness and kindness that your connection deserves. When frustration, difficulty or fear assail your relationship – as they threaten all relationships at one time or another – remember to focus on what is right between you, not only the part that seems wrong. In this way, you can ride out times when clouds hide the face of the sun in your lives – remembering that even if you lose sight of it for a moment, the sun is still there. If each of you takes responsibility for the quality of your lives together, your life together will be marked by abundance and delight.
IMPEDIMENT DECLARATION
_(Groom)_ and _(Bride)_ stand before you today to exchange their marriage vows. To the present, none has shown any just cause why they may not be married, nor have they themselves declared any impediment.
REMEMBRANCE
Today, as we celebrate this special day, _(Groom)_ and _(Bride)_ would like to pause to reflect upon those who have shaped their character, moulded their spirits and touched their hearts. Let us not forget the ones that have departed from our world, but not before they graced us with special memories only they could create. Though we cannot see them, we sense their presence. Though we cannot touch them, we feel the warmth of their smile, as we begin a new chapter in our lives.
THE PRAYER ~ St. Francis of Assisi ~
Lord, make us instruments of your peace.
Where there is hatred, let us sow love;
Where there is injury, pardon;
Where there is discord, union;
Where there is doubt, faith;
Where there is despair, hope;
Where there is darkness, light;
Where there is sadness, joy;
O Divine Master, Grant that we may not so much seek
To be consoled as to console,
To be understood as to understand,
To be loved as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive;
It is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
And it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.
Amen
Marriage benefits, both husband and wife, and the family with which they have been blessed, as well as strengthening human ties within society. So we celebrate these purposes today in this solemnization of these marriage vows.
In Christ’s name we ask your blessing now for _(Groom)_ and _(Bride)_ as they make their marriage vows.
Dear Lord, as _(Groom)_ and _(Bride)_ pledge themselves to each other, help them and bless them that their love will be pure, that their vows may be true. May they draw ever closer to each other with a deep inner spiritual tie that will enable them to love each other completely and faithfully throughout their life.
We ask for your protection and guidance, Lord, on this couple and their union today and all of their days together.
Please join _(Groom)_ and _(Bride)_ in the reciting of the Our Father, Hail Mary and Glory Be
OUR FATHER
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. Amen.
HAIL MARY
Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee.
Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is
the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners,
now, and at the hour of our death. Amen.
GLORY BE
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
INTENTION PLEDGE
Do you, _(Groom)_, take _(Bride)_ to be your lawfully wedded wife, to have and to hold from this day forward, for the rest of your life, no matter what life may send your way? / I do.
Do you, _(Bride)_, take _(Groom)_ to be your lawfully wedded husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for the rest of your life, no matter what life may send your way? / I do.
VOWS
_(Bride)_, would you please pass your bouquet to your maid of honour, turn to each other and join hands?
_(Groom)_ please repeat after me your vows to _(Bride)_
I take you to be my wife;
To laugh with you in joy,
To grieve with you in sorrow,
To grow with you in love,
To be faithful to you alone,
As long as we both shall live.
_(Bride)_ please repeat after me your vows to _(Groom)_
I take you to be my husband;
To laugh with you in joy,
To grieve with you in sorrow,
To grow with you in love,
To be faithful to you alone,
As long as we both shall live.
The Rings
May I have the rings please?
The circle reminded the ancients of eternity, for the circle is so fashioned as to have neither beginning nor end. So your wedding rings of precious metal are a fitting emblem of the purity and permanence of marriage. The gold of the ring is so incorruptible that it cannot be tarnished by use or time. So may your union be incorruptible in its purity and more lasting than time itself.
As you place your ring on _(Bride)_’s finger repeat after me your commitment to you bride.
_(Bride)_ , I place this ring on your finger
as a perpetual sign
of my unending love.
As you place your ring on _(Groom)_ ’s finger repeat after me your commitment to your groom.
_(Groom)_ , I place this ring on your finger
as a perpetual sign
of my unending love.
DECLARATION
In that you, _(Groom)_ and you, _(Bride)_ , have made these solemn vows to each other in the presence of these witnesses, by virtue of the powers vested in me by the Province of Ontario as an ordained minister of the gospel, I do hereby declare you to be husband and wife. Let no man or woman come between you.
You may kiss your bride.
SIGNING OF DOCUMENTS
PRONOUNCEMENT
It is my delight to introduce to you Mr. and Mrs_(Groom)_. and _(Bride)_ ——-
Return to Spiritual Ceremonies page
Copyright protected under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial 2.5 Canada License.