Greeting
May the love of God
which unites and binds us to one another
be always with you.
Introduction and Litany of Praise
People have been marrying since the beginning of time.
What makes Christian marriage different
is that it reflects the love which Christ has for his Church and,
since Christ’s love is everlasting,
the love between husband and wife can never end.
“What God has joined together, let no one separate”.
Lord God, you made man and woman to complement one another in marriage:
Lord, have mercy.
Lord God,
In the union of husband and wife you show us a true image of your love:
Christ, have mercy.
Lord God, you bless with peace and happiness the families that make your love visible to the world:
Lord, have mercy.
A Creator God,
in Christ you call man and woman
to the fullness of glory
for which you created them.
Heal our stubborn hearts,
and conform our lives to your gracious design.
Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God for ever and ever. AMEN.
B In your image you have made us, O God,
male and female you have made us,
knowing that it is not good for us to be alone.
Through the work of your Spirit,
restore to the children of Adam and Eve
the holiness and harmony of creation’s earliest days.
Give us faithful hearts,
that what you have joined together
no human power may put asunder.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God for ever and ever. AMEN.
GENERAL INTERCESSIONS
P We bring our prayers before our loving God presenting the needs of our brothers and sisters all over the world.
CM Our response is: Bless your people, Lord.
Please repeat:
1 For all married couples. (pause)
May the love which bonded them together on their wedding day continue to grow, and may it support them in good times and in bad. We pray:
2 For those experiencing difficulties in their marriage. (pause)
May they receive the grace to see beyond their differences and persevere in their commitment. We pray:
3 For homes that are broken and for partners who have failed each other; (pause)
that people may show them understanding and support
and that God may keep their faith and hope alive. We pray:
4 For the sick, the elderly, the lonely. (pause)
May they experience the comfort of the Lord through the love and care of those who attend to them. We pray:
5 For those whose lives are marked by suffering.
May they find inspiration in Jesus, who was made perfect through suffering.
We pray:
[The Presider may add a Petition that is local / relevant]
P O God, strengthen the bonds of those who are joined in the covenant of marriage. All we ask is for them is the grace to be faithful to you and to one another. We make our prayers through Christ our Lord. AMEN.
Prayer over the Gifts
Receive, O Lord, the gifts we present
on behalf of all of those gathered here
who are joined in the covenant of marriage.
Your grace has united them in this sacrament.
Bless and protect them so that they make your love visible in the world.
We ask this in the name of Jesus, the Lord. AMEN.
Suggested PREFACE – taken from the Rite of Marriage
It is truly right and just,
our duty and our salvation,
always and everywhere to give you thanks,
holy Father, almighty and eternal God.
You created man and woman out of love
and raised them to such a dignity
that in the union of husband and wife
you show us a true image of your love:
love is our origin,
love our constant calling,
love our fulfillment in heaven.
Thus, the sacrament of marriage,
an abiding sign of your own love,
consecrates the love between husband and wife.
Through Christ,
the choirs of angels and all the saints
praise and worship your glory.
May our voices join their unending chorus of praise: Holy, Holy….
Invitation to the Lord’s Prayer
We are gathered together as children of God
and so we can say / sing:
Deliver us, Lord
Deliver us, Lord, from every evil
and grant us the capacity to love
without condition or compromise.
In your mercy protect us in times of trial
as we wait in joyful hope
for the coming of our Savior, Jesus Christ.
Prayer for Peace
Lord Jesus Christ,
on the night before you died, you prayed for your apostles:
‘Father, may they be one as we are one.’
May our families and our parish be one in mind and heart.
so that we may enjoy the peace and unity of your kingdom
where you live for ever and ever.
Exchange of Peace
As brothers and sisters of Jesus Christ
we offer one another his gift of peace.
Invitation to Communion
This is Jesus whose love was faithful to the end.
He wants us to be one as He and the Father are one.
Blessed are we who are called to the banquet of the Lord.
Prayer after Communion
Lord,
in your love you have given us this Eucharist
to unite us with one another and with you.
Grant that we,
united in faith around your Word and your table,
may always be faithful to you
and bear witness to your name before all the world.
We ask this through Christ our Lord. AMEN.
Blessing
A May God, our loving Father, bless you with his joy.
AMEN.
May the only Son of God have mercy on you,
and help you in good times and in bad.
AMEN.
May the Holy Spirit of God always fill your hearts with his love.
AMEN.
B May God the Eternal Father
keep you in mutual love,
that the peace of Christ
may dwell always
in your hearts and in your home.
AMEN.
May the Lord Jesus,
who was a guest at the wedding in Cana,
bless you, your families, and your friends.
AMEN.
May you bear witness to God’s love in this world,
so that the poor and the suffering
may find in you generous friends,
and one day welcome you to an eternal home.
AMEN.
A & B And may the blessings of our loving God,
+ Father, Son and Spirit,
be with you and abide with you always.
Dismissal
Our celebration is ended.
Go now in the love and service of the Lord.
Contemporary Liturgy 