the catholic wedding ceremony
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The presence of the Church's minister visibly expresses the fact that marriage is sacramental reality of the Church. The priest (or deacon) who assists at the celebration of a marriage receives the consent of the spouses in the name of the Church and gives the blessing of the Church. This is the reason why the Church normally requires that baptised Catholics contract marriage according to the norms of the Church. Several reasons converge to explain this requirement (CCC 1630-1631):
- Sacramental marriage is a liturgical act of the Church which involves the Church as a body. It is therefore appropriate that it should be celebrated in the public liturgy of the Church presided over by the Church’s minister;
- Marriage introduces the couple into an ecclesial order, and creates rights and duties in the Church between the spouses and towards their children;
- Since marriage is a state of life in the Church, certainty about its validity is necessary (hence the obligation to have witnesses);
- The public character of the consent protects the "I do" once given and helps the spouses remain faithful to it.
The Australian Catholic Marriage and Family Council, 2011
The official minister and participants for the marriage ceremony
The wedding must be celebrated in the presence of a Catholic priest/deacon/bishop (unless a dispensation is given) and two adult witnesses, normally in public and usually in a church.
The presence of the Church's minister visibly expresses the fact that marriage is sacramental reality of the Church. The priest (or deacon) who assists at the celebration of a marriage receives the consent of the spouses in the name of the Church and gives the blessing of the Church. This is the reason why the Church normally requires that baptised Catholics contract marriage according to the norms of the Church.
The Australian Catholic Marriage and Family Council, 2011
THE STAGES IN THE MARRIAGE CEREMONY
A priest who is to celebrate the marriage should be contacted, ideally about 12 months prior to the wedding. He will start a file that he will send to the parish where they will be married.
During this period the couple spends some time with the priest clarifying their understanding of marriage in the eyes of the Church; undertaking a marriage education program; booking the church where they wish to marry; planning the marriage ceremony and completing the ‘Pre- Nuptial Inquiry’
The next stage is the Prenuptial Inquiry which is where all the paperwork is sorted out.
During this period the couple spends some time with the priest clarifying their understanding of marriage in the eyes of the Church; undertaking a marriage education program; booking the church where they wish to marry; planning the marriage ceremony and completing the ‘Pre- Nuptial Inquiry’
The next stage is the Prenuptial Inquiry which is where all the paperwork is sorted out.
The Australian Catholic Marriage and Family Council, 2011
on the day of the wedding
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The Catholic rite of marriage is structured as follows:
1. Introductory rites
After the entrance procession, the minister greets and welcomes the people and prays the opening prayer.
2. Liturgy of the Word
A reading from scripture is followed by the singing of a psalm and the reading of the gospel. An extra reading from scripture may be included. Then in the homily the priest or deacon speaks of marriage.
3. Liturgy of Marriage
After an introduction and some questions addressed to the couple, they declare their consent to marry. This is followed by the blessing and exchange of rings, and prayers of intercession. If the Liturgy of the Eucharist is not included, the Nuptial Blessing and Lord’s Prayer follow.
4. Liturgy of the Eucharist
If the marriage is celebrated during Mass, the Liturgy of the Eucharist follows. It incorporates the Lord’s Prayer and Nuptial Blessing.
5. Concluding Rites
The priest blesses the couple and the people. The marriage register is signed.
1. Introductory rites
After the entrance procession, the minister greets and welcomes the people and prays the opening prayer.
2. Liturgy of the Word
A reading from scripture is followed by the singing of a psalm and the reading of the gospel. An extra reading from scripture may be included. Then in the homily the priest or deacon speaks of marriage.
3. Liturgy of Marriage
After an introduction and some questions addressed to the couple, they declare their consent to marry. This is followed by the blessing and exchange of rings, and prayers of intercession. If the Liturgy of the Eucharist is not included, the Nuptial Blessing and Lord’s Prayer follow.
4. Liturgy of the Eucharist
If the marriage is celebrated during Mass, the Liturgy of the Eucharist follows. It incorporates the Lord’s Prayer and Nuptial Blessing.
5. Concluding Rites
The priest blesses the couple and the people. The marriage register is signed.
Liturgy Brisbane, 2016
Components of the Liturgy of Marriage:
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The liturgy of marriage is divided in three parts: the statement of intentions, the solemn consent, and the blessing and exchange of rings.
1. The statement of intentions addresses the critical elements of sacramental marriage. The priest asks the bride and groom:
2. For the solemn consent, the priest asks the couple to join hands and declare their consent before God and the Church. The couple then exchange their wedding vows in the form approved by the Church. Perhaps the most commonly used form is:“I, N., take you, N., to be my husband/wife. I promise to be true to you in good times and in bad, in sickness and in health. I will love you and honour you all the days of my life.”
3. If the couple choose to have wedding rings, the priest then blesses the wedding rings as symbols of deep faith and peace, and the bride and groom exchange them with a promise of unconditional love and fidelity.
4. After the vows the priest blesses the couple, acknowledges them as man and wife and invites the community to pray for them.
1. The statement of intentions addresses the critical elements of sacramental marriage. The priest asks the bride and groom:
- “Have you come here freely and without reservation to give yourselves to each other in marriage?”
- “Will you love and honour each other as husband 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?” (The words ‘and His Church’ may be omitted. Also, the question may be excluded completely for a couple beyond childbearing age.)
2. For the solemn consent, the priest asks the couple to join hands and declare their consent before God and the Church. The couple then exchange their wedding vows in the form approved by the Church. Perhaps the most commonly used form is:“I, N., take you, N., to be my husband/wife. I promise to be true to you in good times and in bad, in sickness and in health. I will love you and honour you all the days of my life.”
3. If the couple choose to have wedding rings, the priest then blesses the wedding rings as symbols of deep faith and peace, and the bride and groom exchange them with a promise of unconditional love and fidelity.
4. After the vows the priest blesses the couple, acknowledges them as man and wife and invites the community to pray for them.
The Australian Catholic Marriage and Family Council, 2011