1st Sunday of Advent, Post Vatican Two

THE ORDER OF MASS

WEDDING MASS and RITE OF MARRIAGE (1)

INTRODUCTORY RITES

Acts of prayer and penitence prepare us to meet Christ as He comes in Word and Sacrament. We gather as a worshipping community to celebrate our unity with Him and with one another in faith.

ENTRANCE ANTIPHON

If it is not sung, it is recited by all or some of the congregation.

Joined together as Christ's people, we open the celebration by raising our voices in praise of God who is present among us. This song should deepen our unity as it introduces the Mass we celebrate today.

May the Lord send you help from his holy place and from Zion may he match over you. May he grant you your heart's desire and lend his aid to all your plans.

GREETING

When the priest comes to the altar, he makes the customary reverence with the ministers or deacons and kisses the altar. Then, with the ministers or deacons, he goes to his seat. After the entrance song, all make the sign of the cross:

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

Amen.

The priest welcomes the congregation in the name of the Lord. The congregation shows union with God, neighbor, and the priest by a united response to his greeting.

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.

And also with you.

The grace and peace of God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ be with you.

Blessed be God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. OR And also with you.

The Lord be with you.

And also with you.

RITE OF BLESSING AND SPRINKLING HOLY WATER

The rite of blessing and sprinkling holy water may be celebrated in all churches and chapels at all Sunday Masses celebrated on Sunday or Saturday evening. When this rite is celebrated it takes the place of the penitential rite at the beginning of Mass. The Kyrie is also omitted.

After greeting the people the priest remains standing at his chair. A vessel containing the water to be blessed is placed before him. Facing the congregation, he invites the congregation to pray, using these or similar words:

Dear friends, this water will be used to remind us of our baptism. Let us ask God to bless it, and to keep us faithful to the spirit He has given us.

God our Father, Your gift of water brings life and freshness to the earth; it washes away our sins and brings us eternal life. We ask you now to bless + this water, and to give us your protection on this day which you have made your own. Renew the living spring of your life within us and protect us in spirit and body, that we may be free from sin and come into your presence to receive your gift of salvation. We ask this through Christ our Lord.

Amen.

Lord God almighty, creator of all life, of body and soul, we ask you to bless + this water; as we use it in faith, forgive our sins, and save us from all illness and the power of evil.

Lord God almighty, hear the prayer of Your people; we celebrate our creation and redemption. Hear our prayers and bless + this water which gives fruitfulness to the fields, and refreshment and cleansing to man. You chose water to show Your goodness when You led Your people to freedom through the Red Sea and satisfied their thirst in the desert with water from the rock. Water was the symbol used by the prophets to foretell Your new covenant with man. You made the water of baptism holy by Christ’s baptism in the Jordan: by it you give us a new birth and renew us in holiness. May this water remind us of our baptism, and let us share the joy.

PENITENTIAL RITE

(Omitted when the rite of blessing and sprinkling holy water has taken place or some part of the liturgy of the hours has preceded.)

Before we hear God’s word, we acknowledge our sins humbly, ask for mercy, and accept his pardon.

Invitation to repent:

After the introduction to the day’s Mass, the priest invites the congregation to recall their sins and to repent of them in silence:

As we prepare to celebrate the mystery of Christ’s love, let us acknowledge our failures and ask the Lord for pardon and strength.

Coming together as God’s family, with confidence let us ask the Father’s forgiveness, for He is full of gentleness and compassion.

My brothers and sisters, to prepare ourselves to celebrate the sacred mysteries, let us call to mind our sins.

Then, after a brief silence, one of the following forms is used.

I confess to almighty God, and to you, my brothers and sisters, that I have sinned through my own fault (they strike their breast) in my thoughts and in my words, in what I have done, and in what I have failed to do; and I ask blessed Mary, ever virgin, all the angels and saints, and you, my brothers and sisters, to pray for me to the Lord our God.

Lord, we have sinned against You: Lord have mercy.

Lord, have mercy.

Lord, show us your mercy and love.

And grant us your salvation.

The priest or other minister makes the following or other invocations:

You were sent to heal the contrite: Lord, have mercy.

Lord, have mercy.

You came to call sinners: Christ, have mercy.

Christ, have mercy.

You plead for us at the right hand of the Father: Lord, have mercy.

Lord, have mercy.

Absolution:

At the end of any of the forms of the penitential rite:

May almighty God have mercy on us, forgive us our sins, and bring us to everlasting life.

Amen.

KYRIE

Unless included in the penitential rite, the Kyrie is sung or said by all, with alternating parts for the choir or cantor and for the congregation:

Lord have mercy.

Lord, have mercy.

Christ, have mercy.

Lord, have mercy.

GLORIA

As the Church assembled in the Spirit we praise and pray to the Father and the Lamb.

When the Gloria is sung or said, the priest or the cantors or everyone together may begin it:

Glory to God in the highest, and peace to his people on earth. Lord God, heavenly King, almighty God and Father, we worship You, we give You thanks, we praise You for Your glory.

Lord Jesus Christ, only Son of the Father, Lord God, Lamb of God, You take away the sin of the world: have mercy on us; you are seated at the right hand of the Father: receive our prayer.

For You alone are the Holy One, Your alone are the Lord, You alone are the Most High, Jesus Christ, with the Holy Spirit, in the glory of God the Father.

Amen.

OPENING PRAYER

The priest invites us to pray silently for a moment and then, in our name, expresses the theme of the day’s celebration and petitions God the Father through the mediation of Christ in the Holy Spirit.

Let us pray.

Priest and congregation pray silently for a while. Then the priest says the opening prayer and concludes:

Father, you have made the bond of marriage a holy mystery, a symbol of Christ's love for his Church. Hear our prayers for N. and N. With faith in you and in each other they pledge their love today. May their lives always bear witness to the reality of that love.

We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever.

Amen.

Alternative Opening Prayer

Let us pray.

Father, when you created mankind you willed that man and wife should be one. Bind N. and N. in the loving union of marriage; and make their love fruitful so that they may be living witnesses to your divine love in the world.

We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever.

Amen.

THE LITURGY OF THE WORD

The proclamation of God’s Word is always centered on Christ, present through His Word. Old Testament writings prepare for Him; New Testament books speak of Him directly. All of scripture calls us to believe once more and to follow. After the reading we reflect upon God’s words and respond to them.

FIRST READING

A reading from the Book of Genesis

God said, "Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. Let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, the birds of the air, and the cattle, and over all the wild animals and all the creatures that crawl on the ground."

God created man in his image; in the divine image he created him; male and female he created them. God blessed them, saying: "Be fertile and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it. Have dominion over the fish of the sea, the birds of the air, and all the things that move on the earth." God looked at everything he had made, and he found it very good.

The word of the Lord.

Thanks be to God.

RESPONSORIAL PSALM:

The congregation repeat the response sung by the cantor the first time and then after each verse.

The earth is full of the goodness of the Lord.

Happy the nation whose God is the Lord, the people he has chosen for his own inheritance. But see, the eyes of the Lord are upon those who fear him, upon those who hope for his kindness.

The earth is full of the goodness of the Lord.

Our soul waits for the Lord, who is our help and our shield. For in him our hearts rejoice; in his holy name we trust.

The earth is full of the goodness of the Lord.

May your kindness, O Lord, be upon us who have put our hope in you.

The earth is full of the goodness of the Lord.

SECOND READING:

A reading from the Letter of Paul to the Romans.

If God is for us, who can be against us? Is it possible that he who did not spare his own Son but handed him over for the sake of us all will not grant us all things besides? Who shall bring a charge against God's chosen ones? God, who justifies? Who shall condemn them? Christ Jesus, who died or rather was raised up, who is at the right hand of God and who intercedes for us?

Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Trial, or distress, or persecution, or hunger, or nakedness, or danger, or the sword? Yet in all this we are more than conquerors because of him who has loved us. For I am certain that neither death nor life, neither angels nor principalities, neither the present nor the future, nor powers, neither height nor depth nor any other creature, will be able to separate us from the love of God that comes to us in Christ Jesus, or Lord.

The Word of the Lord.

Thanks be to God.

ALLELUIA (Gospel Acclamation)

Alleluia, Alleluia.

Everyone who loves is born of God and knows him.

Alleluia, Alleluia.

The congregation repeats the alleluia after cantor’s alleluia and then after the verse. During Lent one of the following invocations is used as a response instead of the alleluia:

Praise to You, Lord Jesus Christ, King of endless glory!

Praise and honor to You, Lord Jesus Christ!

Glory and praise to You, Lord Jesus Christ!

Glory to You, Word of God, Lord Jesus Christ!

GOSPEL

Before proclaiming the gospel, the deacon asks the priest: Father, give me your blessing. The priest says:

The Lord be in your heart and on your lips that you may worthily proclaim His gospel. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, + and of the Holy Spirit. The deacon answers: Amen.

If there is no deacon, the priest says inaudibly:

Almighty God, cleanse my heart and my lips that I may worthily proclaim your gospel.

The Lord be with you.

And also with you.

+ A reading from the holy Gospel according to Mark 10:6-9

Glory to You, Lord.

Jesus said: "At the beginning of creation God made them male and female; for this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and the two shall become as one. They are no longer two but one flesh. Therefore let no man separate what god has joined."

At the end:

This is the gospel of the Lord.

Praise to You, Lord Jesus Christ.

Then the deacon or priest kisses the book, saying inaudibly:

May the words of the gospel wipe away our sins.

RITE OF MARRIAGE

All stand, including the bride and bridegroom, and the priest addresses them in these or similar words:

DECLARATION OF INTENTIONS (Desire for Marriage)

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.

The priest then questions them about their freedom of choice, faithfulness to each other, and the acceptance and upbringing of children:

N. and N., have you come here freely and without reservation to give yourselves to each other in marriage?

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

The following question may be omitted if, for example, the couple is advance in years.

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

Each answers the questions separately.

CONSENT (The Heart of Marriage)

The priest invites the couple to declare their consent.

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

They join hands.

The bridegroom says:

I, N., take you, N., to be my wife. I promise to be true to you in good times and in bad, in sickness and in health. I will love you and honor you all the days of my life.

The bride says:

I, N., take you, N., to be my husband. I promise to be true to you in good times and in bad, in sickness and in health. I will love you and honor you all the days of my life.

OR (Traditional Form)

The bridegroom says:

I, N., take you, N., 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.

The bride says:

I, N., take you, N., 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.

(Question Form)

If it seems preferable for pastoral reasons, the priest may obtain consent from the couple through questions.

First he asks the bridegroom and then the bride in turn:

N., do you take N. to be your wife (husband)? Do you promise to be true to her in good times and in bad, in sickness and in health, to love her and honor her all the days of your life?

The bridegroom and bride reply in turn: I do.

OR (Traditional Form as a Question)

In the dioceses of the United States the following form may be used:

First he asks the bridegroom and then the bride in turn:

N., do you take N. for your lawful wife (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 you part?

The bridegroom and bride reply in turn: I do.

Receiving their consent, the priest says: (Joined by God)

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 has joined, men must not divide.

Amen.

BLESSING OF RINGS (Signs of Love)

Priest:

May the Lord bless + these rings which you give to each other as the sign of your love and fidelity.

Amen.

OR (Signs of Mutual Faith)

Lord, bless these rings which we bless + in your name. Grant that those who wear them may always have a deep faith in each other. May they do your will and always live together in peace, good will, and love. We ask this through Christ our Lord.

Amen.

OR (Signs of Consecration)

Lord, bless + and consecrate N. and N. 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.

Amen.

The bridegroom places his wife's ring on her ring finger. He may say: (Sign of Love and Fidelity)

N., 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.

The bride places her husband's ring on his ring finger. She may say: (Sign of Love and Fidelity)

N., 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.

HOMILY

God’s word is spoken again in the homily. The Holy Spirit, speaking through the lips of the priest or deacon, explains and applies today’s biblical readings to the needs of this particular congregation. He calls us to respond to Christ through the life we lead.

PROFESSION OF FAITH

As a people we express our acceptance of God’s message in the scripture and homily. We summarize our faith by proclaiming a creed handed down from the early Church. ALL SAY THE PROFESSION OF FAITH ON SUNDAYS.

NICENE CREED

We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of that is seen and unseen. We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, one in Being with the Father. Through Him all things were made. For us men and for our salvation He came down from heaven: (bow head) by the power of the Holy Spirit He was born of the Virgin Mary, and became man. For our sake He was crucified under Pontius Pilate; He suffered, died, and was buried. On the third day He rose again in fulfillment of the Scriptures; He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and His kingdom will have not end. We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son. With the Father and the Son He is worshipped and glorified. He has spoken through the Prophets. We believe in one catholic and apostolic Church. We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. We look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen.

In celebrations of Masses with Children, the Apostle’s Creed may be said after the homily.

APOSTLE’S CREED

I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth. I believe in Jesus Christ, His only Son our Lord. He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended to the dead. On the third day He rose again. He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.

GENERAL INTERCESSIONS

As a priestly people we unite with one another to pray for today’s needs in the Church and the world.

After the priest gives the introduction, the deacon or other minister sings or says the invocations.

Lord, hear our prayer.

(or other response, according to local custom.) At the end the priest says the concluding prayer:

Amen.

LITURGY OF THE EUCHARIST

Made ready by reflection on God’s Word, we enter now into the Eucharistic sacrifice itself, the Supper of the Lord. We celebrate the memorial, which the Lord instituted at His Last Supper. We are God’s new people, the redeemed brothers and sisters of Christ, gathered by Him around His table. We are here to bless God and to receive the gift of Jesus’ body and blood so that our faith and life may be transformed.

PREPARATION OF THE GIFTS

OFFERTORY SONG

The bread and wine for the Eucharist, with our gifts for the Church and the poor, are gathered and brought to the altar. We prepare our hearts by song or in silence as the Lord’s table is being set.

While the people’s gifts are brought forward to the priest and are place on the altar, the offertory song is sung.

PREPARATION OF THE BREAD

Before placing the bread on the altar, the priest says inaudibly:

Blessed are You, Lord, God of all creation. Through Your goodness we have this bread to offer, which earth has given and human hands have made. It will become for us the bread of life.

If there is no singing, the priest may say this prayer aloud, and the congregation may respond:

Blessed be God forever.

PREPARATION OF THE WINE

When he pours wine and a little water into the chalice, the deacon or priest says inaudibly:

By the mystery of this water and wine may we come to share in the divinity of Christ, Who humbled Himself to share in our humanity.

Before placing the chalice on the altar, he says:

Blessed are You, Lord, God of all creation. Through Your goodness we have this wine to offer, fruit of the vine and work of human hands. It will become our spiritual drink.

If there is no singing, the priest may say this prayer aloud, and congregation may respond:

Blessed be God forever.

The priest says inaudibly:

Lord God, we ask You to receive us and be pleased with the sacrifice we offer You with humble and contrite hearts.

Then he washes his hands, saying:

Lord, wash away my iniquity; cleanse me from my sin.

INVITATION TO PRAYER

Pray, brethren, that our sacrifice may be acceptable to God, the almighty Father.

May the Lord accept the sacrifice at your hands for the praise and glory of His name, for our good, and the good of all His Church.

PRAYER OVER THE GIFTS (Blessing for Life)

The priest, speaking in our name, asks the Father to bless and accept these gifts.

Lord, accept our offering for this newly-married couple, N. and N. By your love and providence you have brought them together; now bless them all the days of their married life. We ask this through Christ our Lord.

Amen.

EUCHARISTIC PRAYER

We begin the Eucharistic service of praise and thanksgiving, the center of the entire celebration, the central prayer of worship. We lift our hearts to God, and offer praise and thanks as the priest addresses this prayer to the Father through Jesus Christ. Together we join Christ in His sacrifice, celebrating His memorial in the holy meal and acknowledging with Him the wonder works of God in our lives.

INTRODUCTORY DIALOGUE

The Lord be with you.

And also with you.

Lift up your hearts.

We lift them up to the Lord.

Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.

It is right to give Him thanks and praise.

PREFACE (Blessings of Christian Marriage)

Father, all-powerful and ever-living God, we do well always and everywhere to give you thanks. By this sacrament our grace unites man and woman in an unbreakable bond of love and peace. You have designed the chaste of love of husband and wife for the increase both of the human family and of your own family born in baptism. You are the loving Father of the new creation of grace. In Christian marriage you bring together the two orders of creation: nature's gift of children enriches the world and your grace enriches also your Church. Through Christ the choirs of angels and all the saints praise and worship your glory. May our voices blend with theirs as we join in their unending hymn:

ACCLAMATION

Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might, heaven and earth are full of Your glory. Hosanna in the highest. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest.

Then the priest continues with the following Eucharistic Prayer. (see Eucharistic Prayers for complete list.)

EUCHARISTIC PRAYER I (Roman Canon)

We come to you, Father, with praise and thanksgiving, through Jesus Christ your Son. Through him we ask you accept and bless these gifts we offer you in sacrifice. We offer them for your holy catholic Church, watch over it, Lord, and guide it; grant it peace and unity throughout the world. We offer them for…our Pope, for…our Bishop, and for all who hold and teach the catholic faith that comes to us from the apostles. Remember, Lord, your people, especially those for whom we now pray, N… and N…Remember all of us gathered here before you. You know how firmly we believe in you and dedicate ourselves to you. We offer you this sacrifice of praise for ourselves and those who are dear to us. We pray to you, our living and true God, for our well-being and redemption. In union with the whole Church we honor Mary, the ever-virgin mother of Jesus Christ our Lord and God. We honor Joseph, her husband, the apostles and martyrs Peter and Paul, Andrew, and all the saints. May their merits and prayers gain us your constant help and protection. Through Christ our Lord. Amen. Father, accept this offering from your whole family and from N. and N., for whom we now pray. You have brought them to their wedding day: grant them (the gift of joy and of children and) a long and happy life together. Through Christ our Lord. Amen. Bless and approve our offering; make it acceptable to you, an offering in spirit and in truth. Let it become for us the body and blood of Jesus Christ, you only son, our Lord. Through Christ our Lord, Amen. The day before he suffered he took bread in his sacred hands and looking up to heaven, to you, his almighty Father, he gave you thanks and praise. He broke the bread, gave it to his disciples, and said: Take this, all of you, and eat it: this is my body which will be given up for you. When the supper was ended, he took the cup. Again he gave you thanks and praise, gave the cup to his disciples, and said: Take this, all of you, and drink from it: this is the cup of my blood, the blood of the new and everlasting covenant. It will be shed for you and for all so that sins may be forgiven. Do this in memory of me.

Let us proclaim the mystery of faith:

Christ has died, Christ is risen, Christ will come again.

Dying you destroyed our death, rising you restored our life. Lord Jesus, come in glory.

When we eat this bread and drink this cup, we proclaim your death, Lord Jesus, until you come in glory.

Lord, by your cross and resurrection you have set us free. You are the Savior of the world.

Father, we celebrate the memory of Christ, your Son. We, your people and your ministers, recall his passion, his resurrection from the dead, and his ascension into glory; and form the many gifts you have give us we offer to you, God of glory and majesty, this holy and perfect sacrifice: the bread of life and the cup of eternal salvation. Look with favor on these offerings and accept them as once you accepted the gifts of your servant Abel, the sacrifice of Abraham, our father in faith, and the bread and wine offered by your priest Melchisedech. Almighty God, we pray that your angel may take this sacrifice to your altar in heaven. Then, as we receive from this altar the sacred body and blood of your Son, let us be filled with every grace and blessing. Through Christ our Lord.

Amen.

Remember, Lord, those who have died and have gone before us marked with the sign of faith, especially those for whom we now pray, N…and N… May these, and all who sleep in Christ, find in your presence light, happiness, and peace. Through Christ our Lord.

Amen.

For ourselves, too, we ask some share in the fellowship of your apostles and martyrs, with John the Baptist, Stephen, Matthias, Barnabas, and all the saints. Though we are sinners, we trust in your mercy and love. Do not consider what we truly deserve, but grant us your forgiveness. Through Christ our Lord.

Amen.

Through him you give all these gifts, You fill them with life and goodness, you bless them and make them holy.

Through him, with him, in him, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, all glory and honor is yours, almighty Father, forever and ever.

Amen.

COMMUNION RITE

To prepare for the paschal meal, to welcome the Lord, we pray for forgiveness and exchange a sign of peace. Before eating Christ’s body and drinking his blood, we must be one with him and with all our brothers and sisters in Church.

LORD’S PRAYER

Let us pray with confidence to the Father in the words our Savior gave us:

Jesus taught us to call God our Father, and so we have the courage to say:

Let us ask our Father to forgive our sins and to bring us to forgive those who sin against us.

Let us pray for the coming of the kingdom as Jesus taught us.

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.

NUPTIAL BLESSING (Uniting in Love)

After the Lord's Prayer, the prayer Deliver us is omitted. The priest faces the bride and bridegroom and says the following blessing over them.

(If one or both of the parties will not be receiving communion, the words in the introduction of the nuptial blessing, through the sacrament of the body and blood of Christ, may be omitted.)

If desired, in the prayer Father, by your power, two of the first three paragraphs may be omitted, keeping only the paragraph which corresponds to the reading of the Mass.

In the last paragraph of this prayer, the words in brackets may be omitted whenever circumstances suggest it, if, for example, the couple is advanced in years.

With hands joined, the priest says:

My dear friends, let us turn to the Lord and pray that he will bless with his grace this woman (or N.) now married in Christ to this man (or N.) and that (through the sacrament of the body and blood of Christ) he will unite in love the couple he has joined in this holy bond.

All pray silently for a while. Then the priest extends his hands and continues:

Father, by your power you have made everything out of nothing. In the beginning you created the universe and made mankind in your own likeness. You gave man the constant help of woman so that man and woman should no longer be two, but one flesh, and you teach us that what you have united may never be divided. Father, you have made the union of man and wife so holy a mystery that it symbolizes the marriage of Christ and his Church.

Father, by your plan man and woman are united, and married life has been established as the one blessing that was not forfeited by original sin or washed away in the flood.

Look with love upon this woman, your daughter, now joined to her husband in marriage. She asks your blessing. Give her the grace of love and peace. May she always follow the example of the holy women whose praises are sung in the scriptures. May her husband put his trust in her and recognize that she is his equal and the heir with him to the life of grace. May he always honor her and love her as Christ loves his bride, the Church.

Father, keep them always true to your commandments. Keep them faithful in marriage and let them be living examples of Christian life.

Give them the strength which comes from the gospel so that the may witnesses of Christ to others. [Bless them with children and help them to be good parents. May they live to see their children's children.] And, after a happy old age, grant them fullness of life with the saints in the kingdom of heaven. We ask this through Christ our Lord.

Amen.

He joins his hands and says:

In your mercy keep us free from sin and protect us from all anxiety as we wait in joyful hope for the coming of our Savior, Jesus Christ.

For the kingdom, the power, and glory are yours, now and forever.

SIGN OF PEACE

The Church is a community of Christians joined by the Spirit in love. It needs to express, deepen, and restore its peaceful unity before eating the one Body of the Lord and drinking from the one cup of salvation. We do this by a sign of peace.

Lord Jesus Christ, you said to your apostles: I leave you peace, my peace I give you. Look not on our sins, but on the faith of your Church, and grant us the peace and unity of your kingdom where you live forever and ever.

Amen.

The peace of the Lord be with you always.

And also with you.

Let us offer each other the sign of peace.

The people exchange a sign of peace and love; according to local custom.

BREAKING OF THE BREAD

Christians are gathered for the "breaking of the bread," another name for the Mass. In communion, though many we are made one body in the one bread, which is Christ.

Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world: have mercy on us. Lamb of God, you take away the sings of the world: have mercy on us. Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world: grant us peace.

Meanwhile the priest takes the host and breaks it over the paten. He places a small piece in the chalice, saying inaudibly:

May this mingling of the body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ bring eternal life to us who receive it.

Before communion, the priest says inaudibly one of the following prayers:

Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the living God, by the will of the Father and the work of the Holy Spirit your death brought life to the world. By your holy body and blood free me from all my sins, and from every evil. Keep me faithful to your teaching, and never let me be parted from you. Lord Jesus Christ, with faith in your love and mercy I eat your body and drink your blood. Let it not bring me condemnation, but health in mind and body.

COMMUNION

The priest genuflects, holding the host elevated slightly over the paten and facing the congregation, the priest says aloud:

This is the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. Happy are those who are called to his supper.

Lord, I am not worthy to receive you, but only say the word and I shall be healed.

Facing the altar, before receiving communion, the priest says inaudibly;

May the body of Christ bring me to everlasting life.

He reverently consumes the body of Christ. Then he takes the chalice and says inaudibly;

May the blood of Christ bring me to everlasting life.

He reverently drinks the blood of Christ. The priest then gives communion to the people.

The body of Christ.

Amen.

COMMUNION SONG (ANTIPHON)

The Communion Psalm or other appropriate Song or Hymn is sung while Communion is given to the faithful. If there if no singing, the Communion Antiphon is said:

Christ loves his Church, and he sacrificed himself for her so that she could become like a holy and untouchable bride.

The vessels are cleansed by the priest or deacon or acolyte. Meanwhile the priest says inaudibly;

Lord, may I receive these gifts in purity of heart. May they bring me healing and strength, now and forever.

PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION

The priest prays in our name that we may live the life of faith since we have been strengthened by Christ himself. Our Amen makes his prayer our own.

Let us pray.

Lord, in your love you have given us this Eucharist to unite us with one another and with you. As you have name N. and N. one in this sacrament of marriage (and in the sharing of the one bread and the one cup), so now make them one in love for each other. We ask this through Christ our Lord.

Amen.

Before blessing the people at the end of Mass, the priest blesses the bride and bridegroom:

CONCLUDING RITE

We have heard God’s word and eaten the body of Christ. Now its time for us to leave, to do good works, to praise and bless the Lord in our daily lives.

GREETING

After any brief announcements, the blessing and dismissal follow:

The Lord be with you.

And also with you.

BLESSING

A. Simple form

May almighty God bless you the Father, and the Son, + and the Holy Spirit.

Amen.

On certain days or occasions another more solemn form of blessing or prayer over the congregation may be used as the rubrics direct.

B. Solemn blessing (Blessing of Marriage)

Bow your heads and pray for God’s blessing.

God the eternal Father keep you in love with each other, so that the peace of Christ may stay with you and be always in your home.

Amen.

May (your children bless you,) your friends console you and all men live in peace with you.

Amen.

May you always bear witness to the love of God in this world so that the afflicted and the needy will find in you generous friends and welcome you into the joys of heaven.

Amen.

May almighty God bless you, the Father, and the Son, + and the Holy Spirit.

Amen.

An alternative form of final blessing may be used in the dioceses of the United States:

Alternative final blessing (God's Blessing)

May almighty God, with is Word of blessing, unite your hearts in the never-ending bond of pure love.

Amen.

May your children bring you happiness, and may your generous love for them be returned to you, many times over.

Amen.

May the peace of Christ live always in your hearts and in your home. May you have friends to stand by you, both in joy and in sorrow. May you be ready and willing to help and comfort all who come to you in need. And may the blessings promised to the compassionate be yours in abundance.

Amen.

May you find happiness and satisfaction in your work. May daily problems never cause you undue anxiety, nor the desire for earthly possessions dominate your lives. But may your hearts' first desire be always the good things waiting for you in the life of heaven.

Amen.

May the Lord bless you with many happy years together, so that you may enjoy the rewards of a good life. And after you have served him loyally in his kingdom on earth, may he welcome you in his eternal kingdom in heaven.

Amen.

DISMISSAL

Go in the peace of Christ.

The Mass is ended, go in peace.

Go in peace to love and serve the Lord.

Thanks be to God.

If any liturgical service follows immediately, the rite of dismissal is omitted.

Return (to Current Mass)

1. FOR THE CELEBRATION OF MARRIAGE

When marriage is celebrated during Mass, white vestments are worn and the wedding Mass is used. If the marriage is celebrated on a Sunday or solemnity, the Mass of the day is used with the nuptial blessing and, where appropriate, the special final blessing.

The liturgy of the word relating to the marriage celebration is extremely helpful in emphasizing the meaning of the sacrament and the obligations of marriage. When the wedding Mass may not be used (during the Easter triduum or on Christmas , Epiphany, Ascension, Pentecost, Corpus Christi, or solemnities which are holy days of obligation) one of the reading for marriage may be chosen. On the Sundays of the Christmas season and on Sundays in ordinary time, in Masses which are not parish Masses, the wedding Mass may be said without change.

When a marriage is celebrated during Advent or other days of penance, the parish priest should advise the couple to take into consideration the special nature of these times.