Presider’s Guides (England & Wales)

Text of the Catholic Wedding ServiceThis document contains the text of the Catholic Wedding Service (wedding without nuptial Mass) as currently authorised for use in England and Wales; it conflates the distinct rites to be used when both spouses are baptised and when one is unbaptized. For the most part, the same texts are used in both cases. Where there are multiple options, option 4 is that for use with a nonbaptised spouse.

Some changes have been made to reflect new English translations: “And with your spirit”, “The Word of the Lord”, and the conclusion of the solemn blessing. The collects and nuptial blessing, however, come from the collection in force since the 1970s, since the Rite of Marriage itself has not been officially updated.

A few choices have been made to pre-select texts from the choice available, for the sake of avoiding multiple options in the corresponding People’s Booklet: the Liturgical Greeting, the response to the bidding prayers, and the Dismissal. Presiders will be well-aware of the other standard options for these from Mass and other liturgies. Where there is a choice of presidential texts specifically for weddings, all options are given below.

This document is formatted so the priest or deacon Presider can print it on A4 paper to be placed into a folder. It can be printed as it is for choices to be made on the fly (use of a colour printer is recommended in this case), or customized to a particular wedding. If customizing remove unwanted options and amend the following using “search-and-replace”:

F1 and F2 – the full forenames of bride and groom respectively.

N1 and N2 – the usual forenames of bride and groom respectively.

S1 and S2 – the current surnames of bride and groom respectively.

R5 with the name of the reader leading the Prayer of the Faithful.

“Deacon” with “Presider” if a priest is presiding and no other cleric is present.

“Deacon” with “Assisting Priest” if a priest is presiding and no deacon is present but a second priest is assisting.

The Liturgy of the Word is not included in any detail, as the Presider will be familiar with the basic structure. A sample set of Prayers of the Faithful is included, to be edited at will.

Text in red should be omitted when not appropriate – e.g. the prayers for fruitfulness when a couple cannot bear children. In the Nuptial Blessing, where there are two or three opening paragraphs in red, the Presider may choose to retain only the paragraph corresponding to the selected Old Testament reading and omit the others.

Selected Rubrics (or find full text online with USA customisation):

Small print is from Chapter III, the rite for unbaptised persons marrying Catholics; an unnumbered rubric at the start of the chapter states: If marriage is celebrated between a Catholic and unbaptized person (either a catechumen or a non-Christian), the rite may be performed in the church or some other suitable place and takes the following form.

39. At the appointed time, the Priest, wearing surplice and white stole (or a white cope, if desired), proceeds with the ministers to the door of the church or, if more suitable, to the altar. (Or n. 55, for an unbaptised spouse, to another appropriate place.) There he greets the bride and bridegroom in a friendly manner, showing that the Church shares their joy.

Where it is desirable that the rite of welcome be omitted, the celebration of matrimony begins at once with the Liturgy of the Word.

40. If there is a procession to the altar, the ministers go first, followed by the priest, and then the bride and bridegroom. According to local custom, they may be escorted by at least their parents and the two witnesses. Meanwhile, the entrance song is sung.

Then the people are greeted, and the prayer is offered, unless a brief pastoral exhortation seems more desirable.

41/56. The liturgy of the word takes place in the usual manner. There may be three readings, the first being from the Old Testament. 56 (unbaptised) continues: If circumstances make it more desirable, there may be a single reading.

42. After the gospel, the priest gives a homily drawn from the sacred text. He speaks about the mystery of Christian marriage, the dignity of wedded love, the grace of the sacrament and the responsibilities of married people, keeping in mind the circumstances of this particular marriage.

57. (Unbaptised:) A homily, drawn from the sacred text, is given and should speak of the obligations of marriage and other appropriate points.

43/58. All stand, including the bride and bridegroom, and the priest addresses them in these or similar words…

(Note, therefore, that the opening paragraph of the Rite of Marriage may be adapted ad lib.)

48. includes the possibility of only the husband giving a ring to the wife, and not vice versa.

49. The general intercessions (prayer of the faithful) and the blessing of the couple take place in this order.

a) First, the priest uses this invitatory of any blessing of the couple (see the first part of nn. 33, 120, 121) or any other, taken from the approved formulas for the general intercessions.

b) Immediately after the invitation, there can be either a brief period of silence, or a series of petitions from the prayer of the faithful with responses by the people. All the petitions should be in harmony with the blessing that follows, but should not duplicate it.

c) Then, omitting the prayer that concludes the prayer of the faithful, the priest extends his hands and blesses the bride and the bridegroom.

65. Facing them, he joins his hands and says: My brothers and sisters, let us ask God for his continued blessings upon this bridegroom and his bride. [The rubrics for the UNBAPTISED scenario has the Presider use the shortest invitatory immediately before the nuptial blessing, as well as proposing use of an invitatory for the Prayer of the Faithful.]

51. The entire rite can be concluded with the Lord’s Prayer and the blessing, whether with the simple form, May almighty God, or with one of the forms in nos. 125-127.64. If circumstances so require, the blessing of the bride and bridegroom can be omitted. 

66. The rite may be concluded with the Lord’s Prayer (or, if the nuptial blessing has been omitted, another prayer by the priest) and a blessing using the customary form, May almighty God bless you or another formula from nos. 125-127

52. If two or more marriages are celebrated at the same time, the questioning before the consent, the consent itself and the acceptance of consent shall always be done individually for each couple; the rest, including the nuptial blessing, is said once for all using the plural form.

53. The rite described above should be used by a deacon who, when a priest cannot be present, has been delegated by the bishop or pastor to assist at the celebration of marriage, and to give the Church’s blessing.

54. If Mass cannot be celebrated and communion is to be distributed during the rite, the Lord’s Prayer is said first. After communion, a reverent silence may be observed for a while, or a psalm or song of praise may be sung or recited. Then comes the prayer, Lord, we who have shared (no. 123, if only the bride and bridegroom receive), or the prayer, God, who in this wondrous sacrament or other suitable prayer.

The rite ends with a blessing, either the simple formula, May almighty God bless you, or one of the forms in nos. 125-127.

Source Texts

The document below was compiled as follows: RM2010 is the 2010 edition of the Roman Missal for England and Wales, and RMEW is the 1971 Rite of Marriage for England and Wales.

Words of greeting are one option from the RM2010.

The Opening Collects 1-4 are from RMEW nn 106-109.

Liturgy of the Word dialogues are from RM2010.

The declaration of freedom and exchange of vows are from RMEW nn 43-46.

The Blessing of Rings, all from RMEW: #0 is from n. 47.1, #1 is n. 111, #2 is n. 110.

Prayer of the Faithful is a composition of the current author, hereby released into the public domain so anyone may adapt or edit.

Nuptial Blessings from RMEW: #1 is n. 33; #2 is n. 120, #3 is n. 121, #4 is n. 65

Preparation for Holy Communion: RM2010.

Prayer After Communion: as given in the Marriage Rite from the 2009 edition of A Shorter Roman Ritual, Midwest Theological Forum.

Final Blessings from RMEW: #1 is n. 125; #2 is n. 126, #3 is n. 127; #4 follows n. 127 with the note “The following additional alternative form is approved for use in England and Wales.”

Invitation to Solemn Blessing and Dismissal from RM2010.

The Catholic Wedding Ceremony – Without Mass All stand.

Opening Music

First Hymn, sung by all present.

OPENING RITEPresider: In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.

All: Amen.

Presider: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

All: And with your spirit.

The Presider welcomes all present to the celebration.

Presider: Let us pray.

Presider: (1) Father, you have made the bond of marriage a holy mystery, a symbol of Christ’s love for his Church. Hear our prayers for N1 and N2. 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 you this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

Presider: (2) Father, hear our prayers for N1 and N2, who today are united in marriage before your altar. Give them your blessing and strengthen their love for each other. We ask you this through our Lord, Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

Presider: (3) Almighty God, hear our prayers for N1 and N2, who have come here today to be united in the sacrament of marriage. Increase their faith in you and in each other, and through them bless your Church with Christian children. We ask you this through our Lord, Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

Presider: (4) Father, when you created mankind you willed that man and wife should be one. Bind N1 and N2 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 you this through our Lord, Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

All: Amen.

LITURGY OF THE WORD

First Reading: read by R1

Psalm: read or cantored by R2. Response:

Second Reading: read by R3

Gospel Acclamation: read or cantored by R4.

Verse:

If a cleric of lesser rank than the Presider is to proclaim the Gospel, he bows, saying in a low voice: Your blessing, Father.

The Priest says in a low voice:

May the Lord be in your heart and on your lips,

that you may proclaim his Gospel worthily and well,

in the name of the Father, and of the Son, ✠ and of the Holy Spirit.

The Gospel minister signs himself with the Sign of the Cross and replies:

Amen.

If, however, the Gospel is to be read by one of equal rank to the presider, or the presider himself, the Gospel minister, bowing before the altar, says quietly:

Cleanse my heart and my lips, almighty God,

that I may worthily proclaim your holy Gospel.

Deacon: The Lord be with you.

All: And with your spirit.

Deacon: a reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew / Mark / Luke / John

All: Glory to You, O Lord.

Deacon: ... The Gospel of the Lord.

All: Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

The Homily is then given.

RITE OF MARRIAGE All stand.

Presider: (when one party is not baptised) N1 and N2, 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. In this way you will be strengthened to keep mutual and lasting faith with each other and to carry out the other duties of marriage. And so, in the presence of the Church, I ask you to state your intentions.

Presider: (when both are baptised) N1 and N2, 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 presider is permitted to ad lib “similar words” to those above.]

Presider: N1 and N2, I shall now ask you if you freely undertake the obligations of marriage, and to state that there is no legal impediment to your marriage.

Presider: Are you ready freely and without reservation to give yourselves to each other in marriage?

Bridegroom: I am.

Bride: I am.

Presider: Are you ready to love and honour each other as man and wife for the rest of your lives?

Bridegroom: I am.

Bride: I am.

Presider: Are you ready to accept children lovingly from God and bring them up according to the law of Christ and his Church?

Bridegroom: I am.

Bride: I am.

[The following declarations, necessary for legal validity in England & Wales, may be omitted in a Convalidation:]

Bridegroom: I do solemnly declare that I know not of any lawful impediment why I, F1 S1, may not be joined in matrimony to F2 S2.

Bride: I do solemnly declare that I know not of any lawful impediment why I, F2 S2, may not be joined in matrimony to F1 S1.

Exchange of Vows

Presider: Since it is your intention to enter into marriage, declare your consent before God and his Church.

Presider: F1 S1, will you take F2 S2 here present for your lawful wife, according to the rite of our holy Mother the Church?

Bridegroom: I will.

Presider: F2 S2, will you take F1 S1 here present for your lawful husband, according to the rite of our holy Mother the Church?

Bride: I will.

[The Presider then instructs them to join their right hands. The bride’s hand may be placed in that of the bridegroom by her father or by a relative or friend. The following text may be read by the groom or repeated by him after the Presider.]

Bridegroom: I call upon these persons here present to witness that I, F1 S1, do take thee, F2 S2, to be my lawful wedded wife, 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, till death do us part.

[They separate their right hands momentarily, and immediately rejoin them. The bride likewise may read the following text or repeat it after the Presider.]

Bride: I call upon these persons here present to witness that I, F2 S2, do take thee, F1 S1, to be my lawful wedded husband, 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, till death do us part.

Presider: 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 together, let no man put asunder.

All: Amen.

The rite presumes that the congregation remains standing for the rest of the service. If pastorally necessary, this would be the best point to invite all to sit.

All sit.

Blessing of Rings

Presider: (0) May the Lord bless this ring / these rings which you give to each other as the sign of your love and fidelity.

Presider: (1) Lord, bless and consecrate N1 and N2 in their love for each other. May this ring / these rings be a symbol of true faith in each other, and always remind them of their love. We ask this through Christ our Lord.

Presider: (2) 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.

All: Amen.

Bridegroom: N2, 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.

Bride: N1, 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.

Prayer of the Faithful (leads immediately to Nuptial Blessing)

Presider: (1, only if both baptised) My dear friends, let us turn to the Lord and pray that he will bless with his grace N2 now married in Christ to N1 and that he will unite in love the couple he has joined in this holy bond.

Presider: (2, only if both baptised) Let us pray to the Lord for N1 and N2, who come to God’s altar at the beginning of their married life so that they may always be united in love for each other.

Presider: (3 & 4) My dear friends, let us ask God for his continued blessings upon N1 and N2.

[For the newlywed couple]

R5: Let us pray for N1 and N2, who have pledged themselves to one other in Christian marriage. May God give them health and keep them in his protection. Lord, hear us.

All: Lord, graciously hear us.

R5: We pray for the gift of God’s love, which brings patience and kindness, forgivenss and perseverance. May N1 and N2 truly reflect God’s love in their care for one another. Lord, hear us.

All: Lord, graciously hear us.

[For their current or future children or stepchildren]

R5: Let us pray for C1 (C2 and C3), who today become part of a family newly entrusted to Christ. May they see God’s love reflected in their home day by day. Lord, hear us.

All: Lord, graciously hear us.

R5: We pray for fruitfulness, that the love we celebrate today may lead to new life. May our bride and groom be granted all the gifts to raise and cherish the children God may send them. Lord, hear us.

All: Lord, graciously hear us.

[For their extended families]

R5: Let us pray for (name grandparents etc.), giving thanks for their generosity in raising children to adulthood. We pray for God’s abiding presence and support as their extended family changes and grows. Lord, hear us.

All: Lord, graciously hear us.

R5: We pray for this parish of St Philip Evans, that its members may provide spiritual and practical support for the new family forged here today, and for all members of our parish community. Lord, hear us.

All: Lord, graciously hear us.

[For friends]

R5: Let us pray for the friends of N1 and N2, especially those who brought them together and helped them prepare for this day. May the bonds of friendship remain strong amidst the tides of change. Lord, hear us.

All: Lord, graciously hear us.

R5: We pray for all married couples present here today. May the Holy Spirit renew in all of us a determination to rekindle love and persevere in putting each partner’s need before one’s own. Lord, hear us.

All: Lord, graciously hear us.

[For the sick and dying]

R5: Let us pray for (name specific sick relatives) (who cannot be with us here today), asking God to restore them to full health / give them strength to endure, and renew his blessings to those who care for them. Lord, hear us.

All: Lord, graciously hear us.

R5: We pray for the (grand)parents of N1 and N2, who are now in the hands of God. May their souls be granted eternal rest, together with all our faithful departed. Lord, hear us.

All: Lord, graciously hear us.

[Concluding parts]

R5: Let us ask the Mother of Jesus Christ to add her prayer to ours:

All: Hail, Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.

R5: Let us pray for a while in silence.

... Lord, hear us.

All: Lord, graciously hear us.

Nuptial Blessing (extend hands)

Presider: My dear friends, let us ask God for his continued blessings upon N1 and N2.

Presider: (1, when both are baptised)

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 symbolises 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 honour 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 they may be 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.

All: Amen.

Presider: (2, when both are baptised)

Holy Father, you created mankind in your own image and made man and woman to be joined as husband and wife in union of body and heart and so fulfil their mission in the world.

Father, to reveal the plan of your love, you made the union of husband and wife an image of the covenant between you and your people. In the fulfilment of this sacrament, the marriage of Christian man and woman is a sign of the marriage between Christ and the Church.

Father, stretch out your hand and bless N1 and N2. Lord, grant that as they begin to live this sacrament they may share with each other the gifts of your love and become one in heart and mind as witnesses to your presence in their marriage.

Help them to create a home together and give them children to be formed by the gospel and to have a place in your family. Give your blessings to N2, your daughter, so that she may be a good wife and mother,

caring for the home, faithful in love for her husband, generous and kind. Give your blessings to N1, your son, so that he may be a faithful husband and a good father.

Father, grant that as they come together to your table on earth, so they may one day have the joy of sharing your feast in heaven. We ask this through Christ Our Lord.

All: Amen.

Presider: (3, when both are baptised)

Holy Father, creator of the universe, maker of man and woman in your own likeness, source of blessing for married life,

we humbly pray to you for this bride who today is united with her husband in this sacrament of marriage.

May your fullest blessing come upon her and her husband so that they may together rejoice in your gift of married love. and enrich your Church with children.

Lord, may they both praise you when they are happy and turn to you in their sorrows. May they be glad that you help them in their work, and know that you are with them in their need. May they pray to you in the community of the Church and be your witnesses in the world.

May they reach old age in the company of their friends, and come at last to the kingdom of heaven. We ask this through Christ Our Lord.

All: Amen.

Presider: (4, when one is not baptised)

Holy Father, creator of the universe, maker of man and woman in your own likeness, source of blessing for married life,

we humbly pray to you for this bride who today is united with her husband in the bond of marriage.

May your fullest blessing come upon her and her husband so that they may together rejoice in your gift of married love.

May they be noted for their good lives, and be parents filled with virtue. Lord, may they both praise you when they are happy and turn to you in their sorrows. May they be glad that you help them in their work, and know that you are with them in their need.

May they reach old age in the company of their friends, and come at last to the kingdom of heaven. We ask this through Christ Our Lord.

All: Amen.

CONCLUDING RITEAll stand.

Presider: At the Saviour’s command, and formed by divine teaching, we dare to say:

All: 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.

If Holy Communion is to be distributed (NB this text is not included in the People’s Book, so insert their part if needed):

Holding a consecrated Host for all to see, the Presider says:Presider: Behold the Lamb of God,

behold him who takes away the sins of the world. Blessed are those called to the supper of the Lamb.

All: Lord, I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof, but only say the word and my soul shall be healed.

Before the presider himself receives holy Communion he says, inaudibly: May the Body of Christ keep me safe for eternal life.

After communion, silence may be kept or a suitable song may be sung. Then there is a Prayer After Communion:If only the bride and groom receive communion:

Let us pray.

Lord, we who have shared the food of your tablepray for our friends N1 and N2, 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.

If others also receive communion:

Let us pray.

Lord Jesus Christ, you gave us the Eucharist as a memorial of your suffering and death. May our worship of this sacrament of Your body and blood help us to experience the salvation you won for us and the peace of the Kingdom where you live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. AMEN.

Presider: The Lord be with you. All: And with your spirit.

Deacon: Bow down for the blessing.

Presider: (1) 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.

All: Amen.

Presider: (1) May your children bless you, your friends console you, and all men live in peace with you.

All: Amen.

Presider: (1) 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.

All: Amen.

Presider: (2) May God, the almighty Father, give you his joy and bless you in your children.

All: Amen.

Presider: (2) May the only Son of God have mercy on you and help you in good times and in bad.

All: Amen.

Presider: (2) May the Holy Spirit of God always fill your hearts with his love.

All: Amen.

Presider: (3) May the Lord Jesus, who was a guest at the wedding in Cana, bless you and your families and friends.

All: Amen.

Presider: (3) May Jesus, who loves his Church to the end, always fill your hearts with his love.

All: Amen.

Presider: (3) May he grant that, as you believe in his resurrection, so you may wait for him in joy and hope.

All: Amen.

Presider: (4) May God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit bless, preserve and keep you; may the Lord mercifully with his favour look upon you; and so fill you with all spiritual blessings and graces that you may so live together in this life that in the world to come you may have life everlasting.

All: Amen.

Presider: And may almighty God bless all of you who are gathered here, the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

All: Amen.

Deacon: Go in peace. All: Thanks be to God.