ENTRANCE HYMN
In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy
Spirit.Amen.
The grace and peace of God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ be with you. And with your spirit.
ENTRANCE ANTIPHON
Fill us with your love, O Lord, and we will sing for joy all our days. May the goodness of the Lord be upon us, and give success to the work of our hands.
LIGHTING OF THE CANDLES
Mary and Jack each light a candle representing their individuality and uniqueness.
PENITENTIAL RITE
My brothers and sisters, to prepare ourselves to celebrate the sacred mysteries, let us call to mind our sins.
I confess to Almighty God and to you my brothers and sisters that I have greatly sinned, in my thoughts and in my words in what I have done and in what I have failed to do, through my fault, through my fault, through my most grievous fault; therefore 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.
May almighty God have mercy on us, forgive us our sins, and bring us to everlasting life.Amen.
Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.Christ, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
THE GLORIA
Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to people of goodwill. We praise you, we bless you, we adore you, we glorify you, we give you thanks for your great glory, Lord God, heavenly King, O God almighty father. Lord Jesus Christ, only begotten Son, Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father, you take away the sin of the world, have mercy on us; you take away the sins of the world, receive our prayer; you are seated at the right hand of the Father, have mercy on us. For you alone are the Holy One, You 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
Heavenly Father, Creator of life and source of all love that is true and life-giving, hear our loving prayers on behalf of our friends Jack and Mary, on their wedding day. Join and unite them faithfully in the sacrament of marriage and make their love fruitful, so that together they may bear witness to your divine love in the world. This we ask through our Lord Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit.Amen.
LITURGY OF THE WORD
FIRST READING
A reading from the Book of Ecclesiasticus
A faithful friend is a sure shelter, whoever finds one, has found a treasure. There is nothing so precious as a faithful friend, there is no measuring their worth. A faithful friend is a friend for life; and those who love the Lord will find one. Whoever loves the Lord makes a true friend, for as you are, so is your friend.
The Word of the Lord.Thanks be to God.
RESPONSORIAL PSALM
SECOND READING
A reading from the first letter of St. Paul to the Romans
Let your love be genuine and sincere, and always prefer good to evil. Love one another with great affection, and always have a profound respect for each other. If you have hope, this will make you cheerful. Do not give up if difficulties come. Have faith in God and in your love. Be perceptive to the needs of each other.
Seek to be compassionate and kind, humble and patient. Always be there for each other when a quarrel begins. The Lord has forgiven you so you must do the same and over all these, be loving, because love binds everything together in your heart.
The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION
The Lord be with you.And with your spirit.
GOSPEL
A Reading from the Holy Gospel according to John.
Glory to you, O Lord.
Jesus said to his disciples: ‘This is my commandment: love one another, as I have loved you. A man can have no greater love than to lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends, if you do what I command you. I shall not call you servants any more, because a servant does not know his master’s business; I call you friends, because I have made known to you everything I have learnt from my Father. You did not choose me, no, I chose you; and I commissioned you to go out and to bear fruit, fruit that will last; and then the Father will give you anything you ask him in my name.
This is the Gospel of the Lord.
Praise to You, Lord Jesus Christ.
MARRIAGE CEREMONY
MaryandJack, you have come here today so that the Lord may seal your love in the presence of the priest, your families and friends. In becoming husband and wife you give yourselves to each other for life. You promise to be true and faithful, to support and cherish each other all your lives, so that your years together will be the living out in love of the pledge you now make. May your love for each other reflect the enduring love of Christ for his Church. As you face the future together, keep in mind that the sacrament of marriage unites you with Christ, and brings you, through the years, the grace and blessing of God our Father.
Priest:Is this your understanding of marriage?
M&J: It is.
Priest:Have you come here of your own free will?
M&J:We have.
Priest: Will you love and honour each other in marriage all the days of your life?
M&J: We will.
Priest: Are you willing to accept with love the children God may send you, and bring them up in accordance with the law of Christ and his Church?
M&J: We are.
DECLARATION OF CONSENT
Priest:I invite you then to declare before God and his church your consent to become husband and wife.
Jack: I, Jack, take you, Mary, as my wife,
for better, for worse,
for richer, for poorer,
in sickness and in health,
all the days of our life.
Mary:I, Mary, take you, Jack, as my husband,
for better, for worse,
for richer, for poorer,
in sickness and in health,
all the days of our life.
Priest:What God joins together we must not separate. May the Lord confirm the consent that you have given, and enrich you with his blessings.
BLESSING OF THE RINGS
Priest:Almighty God, bless these rings of faithfulness and unbroken love. May Mary and Jack always be true to each other, may they be one in heart and mind, may they be united in love forever, through Christ our Lord.Amen.
Jack:Mary, wear this ring as a sign of our faithful love. In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
Mary:Jack, wear this ring as a sign of our faithful love. In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
LIGHTING OF THE MARRIAGE CANDLE
Mary and Jack light the centre candle symbolising they are no longer two but one in Marriage.
PRAYER OF THE NEWLY MARRIED COUPLE
M&J:May the days of our lives be joyous and rich. May we find shelter and safety in each other’s arms, respect and reverence in each other’s heart. May our friendship be faithful and firm, our trust total. And may we remain young at heart as we grow old together.
PRAYERS OF THE FAITHFUL
Sandra:For the parents of Mary and Jack, whose example and guidance have formed the foundation upon which they will build their life together, may they continue to share in the joy and celebration of their marriage.
Lord, hear us.Lord, graciously hear us.
Elaine:For all our deceased loved ones, who remain with us in our prayers and our memories, and for the promise of a joyful reunion; especially the grandparents of both Mary and Jack. May they rest in peace.
Lord, hear us.Lord, graciously hear us.
Leon:For Mary and Jack, that our Father in heaven will bless them throughout their married life, and that he will keep them united in undivided love forever.
Lord, hear us.Lord, graciously hear us.
Aoife:Let us pray for the private intentions of all here present that God may see fit to grant their requests.
Lord, hear us. Lord, graciously hear us.
Priest:God our Father, in faith and hope, we have prayed to you for our needs and the needs of Mary and Jack. We know that you have listened to them. As always we make our prayers through Christ our Lord.
OFFERTORY PROCESSION
LITURGY OF THE EUCHARIST
PRAYER OVER THE GIFTS
Lord, accept our offering for this newly married couple. In your fatherly love watch over and protect Mary and Jack, whom you have united in marriage. We ask this through Christ our Lord.Amen.
COMMUNION RITE
NUPTIAL BLESSING
Let us pray to the Lord for Mary and Jack, who as they begin their married life come to God’s altar to deepen their love.
PRAYER FOR 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 for ever and ever.Amen.
The peace of the Lord be with you always.
And with your spirit.
Let us offer each other the sign of peace.
PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION
Let Us Pray. Lord, we who have shared the food of your table pray for Mary and Jack whom you have joined together in marriage. Keep them close to you always. May their love for each other proclaim to all the world their faith in you. We ask this through Christ our Lord.Amen.
SIGNING OF THE REGISTER
CONCLUDING RITE
RECESSIONAL