Marriage
Rite for Celebrating Marriage
Outside Mass
Introduction
• Signify and share in the unity
and love that exists between
God and his Church
• Covenant
– Total fidelity
– Unbreakable unity
– Sacrament modeled on the bond
between Christ and his Church
• Strive to develop marriage
• Remain faithful in good times and bad
• Purpose
– Procreation and education of children
• Priest should pass on these principals in
preparations
• Catechesis on
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Marriage and family
Sacrament
Rites
Prayers
readings
• Elements to stress in the celebration
– Usually done within Mass
– Liturgy of the Word
• Brings out importance of marriage in the history of
salvation
• Duties and responsibilities
– Consent of the contracting parties
– Nuptial blessing on the bride
– Reception of communion by those present
• Choice of Rite
– Catholic and baptized person who is not a
Catholic-Rite of Marriage outside Mass
– Catholic and non-baptized
• Show special consideration for the uncatechized
• No preferential treatment
• White vestments
• Wedding Mass used except on Sundays
and solemnities
• Advent or Lent
• Rituals prepared for the customs
and needs of the area
• Roman ritual may be adapted
• Parts may be arranged differently
• Customs may be used if
appropriate
• Must have the consent and nuptial
blessing
• May be celebrated in the home
Rite for Celebrating Marriage
Outside Mass
• Entrance Rite
– Priest proceeds to the door or the altar and greets
bride and groom
• Liturgy of the Word
– 3 readings
– #67-105
– Homily drawn from the readings
• Dignity of wedded love
• Grace of the sacrament
• Responsibilities of married people
• OT Readings
– Created in God’s image
– Two will become one
– Isaac’s love for Rebekah
– Tobit-join us together until old age
– Strength of love
– Beauty of a good wife
– New covenant
• NT Readings
– Love of Christ
– Bodies are a holy sacrifice
– Bodies are temples
– Love is . . .
– God is love
– Wedding feast of the Lamb
• Gospel
– Matthew
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Light of the World
Building your house on rock
What God has united, man must not divide
Great commandment
– Mark
• No longer two, but one body
– John
• Wedding feast of Cana
• Commandment of love
• May they be completely one
Rite of Marriage
• Introduction
– Seal and strengthen love
– Christ’s blessing on their love
– Recalls baptism
– Call to lasting fidelity
– Presence of the Church
• Questions
– Freedom of choice
– Faithfulness to each other
– Acceptance and upbringing of children
• Declaration of consent
– Statement
– Questions of the priest
– Faithful until death
• Blessings of Rings
– Sign of love and fidelity
• General Intercessions
– Prayers of the faithful
– Blessing of the bride and bridegroom
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Creation
Marriage of Christ and his Church
Responsibilities of each
Oneness
God’s part
• Conclusion
– Lord’s Prayer
– Communion
– Final Blessing