These rites were prepared by a working group of the Diocesan Commission on Liturgy and Church Music. This working group included theologians, a Scripture scholar, and parish clergy.
At the direction of the Bishop, they were created under the authority of the Book of Common Prayer (pgs. 13 and 435) and General Convention Resolution C-056 calling for a “generous pastoral response.”
Quoting the Book of Common Prayer: “Also, subject to the discretion of the bishop, special devotions taken from this Book, or from Holy Scripture, may be used when the needs of the congregation so require” (p. 13), and
“If it is desired to celebrate a marriage otherwise than as provided on page 423 of this Book,” An Order for Marriage is used (pg. 435).
As alternative rites for marriage, all couples (both same-and-opposite gender) may use these for their marriage liturgies.
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The Celebration and Blessing of a Marriage
At the time appointed, the persons to be married, with their witnesses, assemble in the church or some other appropriate place. During their entrance, a hymn, psalm, or anthem may be sung, or instrumental music may be played.
Then the Celebrant, facing the people and the persons to be married, addresses the congregation and says,
Dearly beloved: We have come together in the sight of God and in the presence of this community to witness and bless the joining together of these women/men in Holy Matrimony. The union of two people in heart, body and soul is intended by God for their mutual joy, for the help and comfort given one another in prosperity and adversity; and, when it is God’s will, for the gift of children and their nurture in the knowledge and love of the Lord. Therefore, marriage is not to be entered into unadvisedly or lightly, but reverently, deliberately, and in accordance with the purposes for which it was instituted by God.
Into this holy union _______________ and _______________ now come to be joined. If any of you can show just cause why they may not lawfully be married, speak now; or else for ever hold your peace.
Then the Celebrant says to the persons to be married,
I require and charge you both, here in the presence of God, that if either of you know any reason why you may not be united in marriage lawfully, and in accordance with God’s Word, you do now confess it.
The Declaration of Consent
The officiant asks each person individually,
________ , will you take this woman/man as your wife/husband/spouse in the sight of God? Will you love her/him, comfort her/him, honor and keep her/him, in sickness and in health; and, forsaking all others, be faithful to her/him as long as you both shall live?
The person answers,
I will.
The Celebrant then addresses the congregation, saying,
Will all of you witnessing these promises do all in your power to uphold these two persons in their marriage?
The people say,
We will.
A hymn, psalm, or anthem may follow.
The Ministry of the Word
The Celebrant then says to the people
The Lord be with you.
People And also with you.
Let us pray.
O gracious and everliving God, you have created us in your image to live as your children: Look mercifully upon these persons who come to you seeking your blessing, and assist them with your grace, that with true fidelity and steadfast love they may honor and keep the promises and vows they make; through Jesus Christ our Savior, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
Amen.
Then one or more of the following passages from Holy Scripture is read. If there is to be a Communion, a passage from the Gospel always concludes the Readings.
Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 (Two are better than one)
Song of Solomon 2:10-13, 8:6-7 (Many waters cannot quench love)
Wisdom 7:22b-30 (Divine essence of wisdom)
Ecclesiasticus (Sirach) 17:1-13 (God’s wisdom in creation)
Romans 12:9-13 (Let love be genuine)
I Corinthians 13:1-13 (Love is patient and kind)
Ephesians 3:14-19 (The Father from whom ever family is named)
Philippians 2:1-5 (Let the same mind by in you that was in Christ Jesus)
Colossians 3:12-17 (Love which binds everything together in harmony)
I John 3:18-24 (Let us love in truth and action)
I John 4:7-16 (Let us love one another for love is of God)
Between the Readings, a Psalm, hymn, or anthem may be sing or said.
Appropriate Psalms are 8, 65, 67, 85:7-13, 127, 133, 148, 149
The Deacon or Minister appointed says,
The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to __________.
People Glory to you, Lord Christ.
Matthew 5:1-10 (The Beatitudes)
Matthew 5:13-16 (You are the light...Let your light so shine)
Matthew 7:21,24-29 (Like a wise man who built his house upon the rock)
Mark 12:28-34 (Love your neighbor)
John 15:9-12 (Love one another as I have loved you)
John 17:1, 18-26 (That they may be one as we are one)
After the Gospel, the Reader says
The Gospel of the Lord.
People Praise to you, Lord Christ.
A homily or other response to the Readings may follow.
The Marriage
The couple faces each other. Individually, each one takes the other’s right hand and says,
In the Name of God, I, ____, take you, _______, to be my wife/husband/spouse, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, until we are parted by death. This is my solemn vow.
They loose their hands. The Priest may ask God's blessing on the rings as follows,
Bless, O Lord, these rings to be a sign of the vows by which these persons have bound themselves to each other; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
The giver places the ring on the ring-finger of the other's hand and says
N., I give you this ring as a symbol of my vow, and with all that I am, and all that I have, I honor you, in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit (or in the Name of God).
Then the Celebrant joins the right hands of the couple and says,
Now that N. and N. have given themselves to each other by solemn vows, with the joining of hands and the giving and receiving of rings, I pronounce that they are married in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Those whom God has joined together let no one put asunder.
People Amen.
The Prayers
If Communion does not follow, the Lord's Prayer is said. If there is not to be Communion, one or more of the following prayers may be omitted.
The Deacon or other person appointed reads the following prayers or another appropriate form.
Let us pray.
Eternal God, creator and preserver of all life, author of salvation, and giver of all grace: Look with favor upon the world you have made, and for which your Son gave his life, and especially upon _____ and _____ united in marriage. Amen.
Give them wisdom and devotion in the ordering of their common life, that each may be to the other a strength in need, a counselor in perplexity, a comfort in sorrow, and a companion in joy. Amen.
Grant that their wills may be so knit together in your will, and their spirits in your Spirit, that they may grow in love and peace with you and one another all the days of their life.
Amen.
Give them grace, when they hurt each other, to recognize and acknowledge their fault, and to seek each other's forgiveness and yours. Amen.
Make their life together a sign of Christ's love to this sinful and broken world, that unity may overcome estrangement, forgiveness heal guilt, and joy conquer despair. Amen.
Bestow on them, if it is your will, the gift and heritage of children, and the grace to bring them up to know you, to love you, and to serve you. Amen.
Give them such fulfillment of their mutual affection that they may reach out in love and concern for others. Amen.
Grant that all married persons who have witnessed these vows may find their lives strengthened and their loyalties confirmed. Amen.
Grant that the bonds of our common humanity, by which all your children are united one to another, and the living to the dead, may be so transformed by your grace, that your will may be done on earth as it is in heaven; where, O Father, with your Son, and the Holy Spirit, you live and reign in perfect unity, now and for ever. Amen.
The Blessing of the Marriage
The people remain standing. The couple kneels, and the Priest says one of the following prayers,
Most gracious God, we give you thanks for your tender love in sending Jesus Christ to come among us, to be born of a human mother, and to make the way of the cross to be the way of life. By the power of your Holy Spirit, pour out the abundance of your blessing upon ______ and _______. Defend them from every enemy. Lead them into all peace. Let their love for each other be a seal upon their hearts, a mantle about their shoulders, and a crown upon their foreheads. Bless them in their work and in their companionship; in their sleeping and in their waking; in their joys and in their sorrows; in their life and in their death. Finally, in your mercy, bring them to that table where your saints feast for ever in your heavenly home; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
or this
O God, you have so consecrated the covenant of marriage that in it is represented the spiritual unity between Christ and his Church: Send therefore your blessing upon these your servants, that they may so love, honor, and cherish each other in faithfulness and patience, in wisdom and true godliness, that their home may be a haven of blessing and peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
The couple remains kneeling and the Priest adds this blessing,
God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Spirit, bless, preserve, and keep you; the Lord mercifully with his favor look upon you, and fill you with all spiritual benediction and grace; that you may faithfully live together in this life, and in the age to come have life everlasting. Amen.
The Peace
The Celebrant may say to the people
The peace of the Lord be always with you.
People And also with you.
The newly married couple then greets each other, after which greetings may be exchanged throughout the congregation.
When Communion is not to follow, the wedding party leaves the church. A hymn, psalm, or anthem may be sung, or instrumental music may be played.
At the Eucharist
The liturgy then continues with the Offertory, at which the newly married couple presents the offerings of bread and wine, if so desired.
Proper Preface
Of Baptism or of the Season
At the Communion, it is appropriate that the newly married couple receives Communion first, after the ministers.
In place of the usual Prayer after Communion, the following is said,
O God, the giver of all that is true and lovely and gracious: We give you thanks for binding us together in these holy mysteries of the Body and Blood of your Son Jesus Christ. Grant that by your Holy Spirit, N. and N., now joined in Holy Matrimony, may become one in heart and soul, live in fidelity and peace, and obtain those eternal joys prepared for all who love you; for the sake of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
As the wedding party leaves the church, a hymn, psalm, or anthem may be sung, or instrumental music may be played.
If it is desired to celebrate a marriage otherwise than as provided, the Order on page 435 of the Book of Common Prayer may be used. The Additional Directions found on page 437 of the Book of Common Prayer also apply.
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The Blessing of a Civil Marriage
The Holy Eucharist begins as usual.
Collect
O gracious and everliving God, you have created us in your image to live as your children: Look mercifully upon these persons who come to you seeking your blessing, and assist them with your grace, that with true fidelity and steadfast love they may honor and keep the promises and vows they make; through Jesus Christ our Savior, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
Amen.
Then one or more of the following passages from Holy Scripture is read. If there is to be a Communion, a passage from the Gospel always concludes the Readings.
Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 (Two are better than one)
Song of Solomon 2:10-13, 8:6-7 (Many waters cannot quench love)
Wisdom 7:22b-30 (Divine essence of wisdom)
Ecclesiasticus (Sirach) 17:1-13 (God’s wisdom in creation)
Romans 12:9-13 (Let love be genuine)
I Corinthians 13:1-13 (Love is patient and kind)
Ephesians 3:14-19 (The Father from whom ever family is named)
Philippians 2:1-5 (Let the same mind by in you that was in Christ Jesus)
Colossians 3:12-17 (Love which binds everything together in harmony)
I John 3:18-24 (Let us love in truth and action)
I John 4:7-16 (Let us love one another for love is of God)
Between the Readings, a Psalm, hymn, or anthem may be sing or said.
Appropriate Psalms are 8, 65, 67, 85:7-13, 127, 133, 148, 149
The Deacon or Minister appointed says,
The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to __________.
People Glory to you, Lord Christ.
Matthew 5:1-10 (The Beatitudes)
Matthew 5:13-16 (You are the light...Let your light so shine)
Matthew 7:21,24-29 (Like a wise man who built his house upon the rock)
Mark 12:28-34 (Love your neighbor)
John 15:9-12 (Love one another as I have loved you)
John 17:1, 18-26 (That they may be one as we are one)
After the Gospel, the Reader says
The Gospel of the Lord.
People Praise to you, Lord Christ.
After the Gospel (and homily), the married couple stands before the Celebrant, who addresses them in these or similar words,
N. and N., you have come here today to seek the blessing of God and God’s Church upon your marriage.
The Celebrant then addresses each person individually, saying
N., you have taken N. to be your wife/husband/spouse. Do you promise to love her/him, comfort her/him, honor and keep her/him, in sickness and in health; and, forsaking all others, to be faithful to her/him as long as you both shall live?
The person answers I do.
The Celebrant then addresses the congregation, saying
Will you who have witnessed these promises do all in your power to uphold these two persons in their marriage?
People We will.
If rings already exchanged are to be blessed, the couple extends their hands towards the priest or if new rings are to be given, the priest may ask God's blessing on the rings as follows,
Bless, O Lord, these rings to be a sign of the vows by which these persons have bound themselves to each other; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
If new rings are to be given, the giver places the ring on the ring-finger of the other's hand and says,
N., I give you this ring as a symbol of my vow, and with all that I am, and all that I have, I honor you, in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit (or in the Name of God).
Then the Celebrant joins the right hands of the couple and says,
Those whom God has joined together let no one put asunder.
People Amen.
The Prayers
The Deacon or other person appointed reads the following prayers or another appropriate form.
Let us pray.
Eternal God, creator and preserver of all life, author of salvation, and giver of all grace: Look with favor upon the world you have made, and for which your Son gave his life, and especially upon _____ and _____ united in marriage. Amen.
Give them wisdom and devotion in the ordering of their common life, that each may be to the other a strength in need, a counselor in perplexity, a comfort in sorrow, and a companion in joy. Amen.
Grant that their wills may be so knit together in your will, and their spirits in your Spirit, that they may grow in love and peace with you and one another all the days of their life.
Amen.
Give them grace, when they hurt each other, to recognize and acknowledge their fault, and to seek each other's forgiveness and yours. Amen.
Make their life together a sign of Christ's love to this sinful and broken world, that unity may overcome estrangement, forgiveness heal guilt, and joy conquer despair. Amen.
Bestow on them, if it is your will, the gift and heritage of children, and the grace to bring them up to know you, to love you, and to serve you. Amen.
Give them such fulfillment of their mutual affection that they may reach out in love and concern for others. Amen.
Grant that all married persons who have witnessed these vows may find their lives strengthened and their loyalties confirmed. Amen.
Grant that the bonds of our common humanity, by which all your children are united one to another, and the living to the dead, may be so transformed by your grace, that your will may be done on earth as it is in heaven; where, O Father, with your Son, and the Holy Spirit, you live and reign in perfect unity, now and for ever. Amen.
The Blessing of the Marriage
The people remain standing. The couple kneels, and the Priest says one of the following prayers,
Most gracious God, we give you thanks for your tender love in sending Jesus Christ to come among us, to be born of a human mother, and to make the way of the cross to be the way of life. By the power of your Holy Spirit, pour out the abundance of your blessing upon ______ and _______. Defend them from every enemy. Lead them into all peace. Let their love for each other be a seal upon their hearts, a mantle about their shoulders, and a crown upon their foreheads. Bless them in their work and in their companionship; in their sleeping and in their waking; in their joys and in their sorrows; in their life and in their death. Finally, in your mercy, bring them to that table where your saints feast for ever in your heavenly home; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
or this
O God, you have so consecrated the covenant of marriage that in it is represented the spiritual unity between Christ and his Church: Send therefore your blessing upon these your servants, that they may so love, honor, and cherish each other in faithfulness and patience, in wisdom and true godliness, that their home may be a haven of blessing and peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
The couple remains kneeling and the Priest adds this blessing,
God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Spirit, bless, preserve, and keep you; the Lord mercifully with his favor look upon you, and fill you with all spiritual benediction and grace; that you may faithfully live together in this life, and in the age to come have life everlasting. Amen.
The Peace
The Celebrant may say to the people
The peace of the Lord be always with you.
People And also with you.
The couple then greets each other, after which greetings may be exchanged throughout the congregation.
At the Eucharist
The liturgy then continues with the Offertory, at which the couple presents the offerings of bread and wine, if so desired.
Proper Preface
Of Baptism or of the Season
At the Communion, it is appropriate that the couple receives Communion first, after the ministers.
In place of the usual Prayer after Communion, the following is said,
O God, the giver of all that is true and lovely and gracious: We give you thanks for binding us together in these holy mysteries of the Body and Blood of your Son Jesus Christ. Grant that by your Holy Spirit, N. and N., may continue to become one in heart and soul, live in fidelity and peace, and obtain those eternal joys prepared for all who love you; for the sake of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
As the wedding party leaves the church, a hymn, psalm, or anthem may be sung, or instrumental music may be played. |
