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MARRIAGE
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General Instructions
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For the questions, the groom and the bride face the priest, and for the vows and the exchange of rings they face one another. The bridal couple kneels during the Intercessions; the Lord's Prayer and the Blessing. For the Blessing of the Rings, the priest faces the altar.
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At least two witnesses must be present.
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Instrumental and/or vocal music and / or poetry may be performed at a suitable place in the service.
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Nuptial Mass
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1. The Order for the Marriage Service with Introductory music and hymn.
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(2. The Order for the Eucharist: The Preparation and the Word of Preparation, the Penitential section including the Confession and Absolution and the Prayer of Thanksgiving)
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3. The Order of Marriage Service from Praise until Intercessions inclusive.
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4. The Order for the Eucharist from the Offertory hymn onwards. The Preface for Nuptial Mass may be used, page xxx.
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5. Prior to the Blessing the bridal couple kneels at the altar rail. If the priest gives a nuptial homily it may take place after the Blessing or after the final hymn. The Certificate of Marriage is handed to the couple in connection with the nuptial homily.
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or
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1. The Order for the Marriage Service with Introductory music and hymn.
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2. The Eucharist as far as the Gospel inclusive
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3. Short homily/Nuptial homily
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4. Hymn. The bridal couple moves to the altar rail.
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5. The Order of Marriage Service from Praise until Intercessions inclusive.
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6. The Order for the Eucharist from the Offertory hymn onwards. The Preface for Nuptial Mass may be used, page xxx.
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7. Prior to the Blessing the bridal couple kneels at the altar rail. The Certificate of Marriage is handed to the couple after the final hymn.
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Blessing of a Civil Marriage
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A Service of Blessing of a Civil Marriage is arranged like a Service of Marriage but the Questions, the Vows, the Exchange of Rings and the Announcement are omitted.
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The Main parts of the Service are:
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1. Praise
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2. Words of Introduction
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3. Bible Reading
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4. The Blessing of the Rings
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5. Intercessions
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6. The Lord's Prayer
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7. The Blessing
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The Marriage service
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Introductory music
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Where possible, the service begins with organ music. Other instrumental music or singing may be performed.
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Hymn
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P
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In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
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Praise
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The priest may say:
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Wonderful are your works, Lord our God
wonderfully have you created man and woman.
We live by your love.
We praise you for the gift of life that is continually renewed.
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Introduction
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The priest introduces the service with the following or similar words.
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P
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We are gathered in the presence of God
to witness your marriage, NN and NN.
We are here to ask God's blessing on your marriage
and to share in your joy.
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The priest continues with one of the following alternatives.
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P
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Marriage is a gift of God
instituted for the sustenance of community
and as a source of help and joy for man and woman,
for their mutual support and deeper communion
in times of darkness and of light.
To live together as husband and wife
is to live in confidence and love,
and to take responsibility for one another and for the home
(to receive and nurture children together)
and faithfully to stand at each other's side.
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or
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P
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Marriage is a holy covenant
instituted and blessed by God,
the creator of heaven and earth.
The intention of marriage
is to give to others the love that is of God
It is therefore your task
to love and honour one another.
You shall take responsibility for your home together
(and for the Christian nurture of your children).
Husband and wife should stand faithfully at each other's side,
in joy and in sorrow
and at times of light and of darkness.
You may gather strength in prayer and worship
in the Word of God and in the sacraments.
The richness of marriage is great.
When husband and wife live together in the forgiveness of God
they receive help to understand and to forgive one another.
Thus marriage should be undertaken
according to the will of God.
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Bible Reading
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P
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Let us now listen to the word of the Bible
about the gift and responsibility of love.
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The priest or a friend of the bridal couple read the following passage from the Bible.
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(P)
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Jesus said:
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In the beginning the Creator made them male and female.
That is why a man leaves his father and mother
and is united to his wife,
and the two become one flesh.
Therefore what God has joined together
man must not separate
(Matt 19:4--6 RSV)
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The priest or some friend(s) of the bridal couple reads one or more biblical passages, chosen primarily from the following
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(P)
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In the Song of Songs it is written:
Love is as strong as death,
passion cruel as the grave.
It blazes up like blazing fire,
fiercer than any flame.
Many waters cannot quench love,
no flood can sweep it away.
(Song of Solomon 8:6--7 NEB)
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(P)
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The apostle writes:
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As God's children, you must be like him.
Live in love, as Christ loved you,
and gave himself up on your behalf,
an offering and sacrifice
whose fragrance is pleasing to God.
(Eph. 5:1--2 RSV)
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(P)
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Love in all sincerity,
loathing evil and holding fast to the good.
Let love breed warmth of mutual affection.
Give pride of place to one another in esteem.
With the joyful, be joyful,
and mourn with the mourners.
(Rom 12:9--10, 15 NEB)
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(P)
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Carry one another's burdens
and in this way you will fulfil the law of Christ.
(Gal 6:2 RSV)
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(P)
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Love is patient and kind.
Love envies no one,
is never boastful, nor conceited.
never rude, love is never selfish,
never quick to take offence.,
Love keeps no score of wrongs,
takes no pleasure in the sins of others,
but delights in the truth.
There is nothing love cannot face,
there is no limit to its faith, its hope, its endurance.
There are three things that last forever: faith, hope and love;
and the greatest of the three is love..
(1 Cor 13:4--7, 13 NEB)
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The Questions
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The priest asks the groom:
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P
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In the presence of God
and this congregation (these witnesses)
I ask you, NN:
Will you take NN
to be your wife?
Will you love her, for better, for worse?
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The groom answers:
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Yes.
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The priest asks the bride:
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P
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In the presence of God
and this congregation (these witnesses)
I ask you, NN:
Will you take NN
to be your husband?
Will you love him, for better, for worse?
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The bride answers:
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Yes.
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The Blessing of the Rings/Ring
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The bridal couple gives the rings/ring to the priest.
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P
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O God, you are the creator and Lord of everything
bless NN and NN in their marriage.
Let these rings (this ring) be to them a sign
of their vow of mutual love and faithfulness.
Through Jesus Christ, your Son our Lord.
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C
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Amen.
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The priest returns the rings/ring.
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The Vows and the Exchange of Rings
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The vows are made, whether or not dictated by the priest. Alternatively the couple may, in discussion with the priest, word the vows informally. The wording should express the will of the bride and groom to love one another for better or worse until they are parted by death.
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P
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Now make your vows in the presence of this congregation (these witnesses).
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The priest dictates the vow for the groom:
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P
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I, NN,
take you, NN,
to be my wife
to share joy and sorrow with you
and to be faithful to you
until death us do part.
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The priest dictates the vow for the bride:
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P
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I, NN,
take you, NN,
to be my husband
to share joy and sorrow with you
and to be faithful to you
until death us do part.
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or
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The groom says:
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NN, I will love you,
share joy and sorrow with you
and be faithful to you
until death us do part.
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The bride says:
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NN, I will love you,
share joy and sorrow with you
and be faithful to you
until death us do part.
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The rings are exchanged.
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The Announcement
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P
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You have now married one another
and confirmed your marriage in the presence of God
and this congregation (these witnesses).
You are now husband and wife.
May the Lord be with you
and guide you in his truth
now and always.
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Hymn
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May be omitted.
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Intercessions
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The priest or a friend of the bridal couple says the first prayer below or an informally worded prayer of intercession.
Alternatively the priest or a cantor may sing (read) the second prayer or another formal prayer of intercession with a similar content.
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P
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Let us pray.
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(P)
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Heavenly Father,
we thank you for this day,
for the joys it has brought and for the expectations that fill us.
We pray for this marriage
that NN and NN have now entered upon before you.
Help them to live together in confidence
and respect for each other's uniqueness.
Help them to create an open and warm home,
where (there children may live in security and)
their friends find fellowship.
When difficulties arise,
draw them closer to you and to one another.
Help them to forgive one another
and let them day by day
receive joy and strength from your hand.
Through Jesus Christ, our Lord
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C
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Amen.
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or
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(P)
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Holy Lord, heavenly Father, eternal God,
creator of heaven and earth,
when you created everything,
you created man and made them male and female.
You gave them grace to be stewards of all creation
according to the wisdom of your love.
O God, you have united man and woman
and have given them your blessing,
look with favour on these two, now standing before you
and asking for your blessing.
Help them to live in love and peace,
in mutual faithfulness and fellowship
and to honour one another.
Surround them by your grace and strength
(and let their children be to them
a source of joy and help).
When this life is ended
give them eternal salvation.
Through you Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord.
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C
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Amen.
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The Lord's Prayer
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The priest may say:
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Let us say together the Lord's Prayer
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C
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Our Father,
who is in heaven.
Let your name be kept holy.
Let your kingdom come.
Let your will be done
on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our bread
for the day to come.
And forgive us our sins
as we have forgiven those
who sin against us.
Lead us not into temptation
but deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom.
the power and the glory are yours
now and for ever.
Amen.
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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 today 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.
For thine is the kingdom,
the power and the glory,
for ever and ever.
Amen.
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The Blessing
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The priest may say:
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Receive the Blessing of the Lord.
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P
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The Lord bless you and watch over you.
The Lord make his face shine upon you, and be gracious to you.
The Lord look kindly on you and give you peace;
In the Name of the Father, and of the Son + and of the Holy Spirit.
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C
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Amen.
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If the priest gives a homily it may suitably take place here or immediately following the hymn
The certificate of marriage is given to the couple here or after the hymn.
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Hymn
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Processional Music
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Instrumental- and/or vocal music may precede the processional music.
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