Rite of Marriage

Rite of Marriage

Introductory Address

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

Statement of Intentions

Priest: (Name and Name), have you come here freely and without reservation to give yourself to each other in marriage?

Will you love and honor each other as man and wife for the rest of your lives?

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

Consent

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

Groom: I, Ignatius, take you, (Name), for my lawful wife, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, until death do us part

Bride: I, (Name), take you, (Name), 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.

Reception of Consent

Priest: You have declared your consent before the Church. May the Lord in his goodness strengthen your consent and fill you both with his blessings. What God joined, men must not divide.

All: Amen.

Blessing and Exchange of Rings

Priest: Lord, bless + and consecrate (Name) and (Name) in their love for each other. May these rings be a symbol of true faith in each other, and always remind them of their love. Through Christ our Lord.

All: Amen.

Groom: (Name), take this ring as a sign of my love and fidelity. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

Bride: (Name), take this ring as a sign of my love and fidelity. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

Lighting of the Unity Candle