CATHOLIC WEDDINGS: A TYPICAL SERVICE

3. The Rite of Marriage

The congregation will stand and the priest will turn to the couple and ask them three questions about their freedom of choice, faithfulness to one another, and acceptance and upbringing of children. The couple answers the three questions separately then declare that they know of no lawful impediment as to why they cannot be married. The Bride and Groom then clasp hands and exchange their vows (see the Catholic Wedding FAQ article for more information on Roman Catholic Wedding Vows) then go onto exchange the rings.

After receiving the rings (usually from the Best Man), the priest will bless them before the Groom takes the Bride’s ring and places it on her thumb saying aloud ‘Take this ring as a sign of my love and fidelity’, ‘in the name of the Father,’ (the ring is moved onto the Bride’s index finger), ‘and of the Son’ (the ring is moved onto the Bride’s middle finger), ‘and of the holy Spirit. Amen’ (the ring is finally placed upon the Bride’s fourth finger) - the Bride will then repeat this with the Groom’s ring. Following the exchange of the rings, a few short ‘bidding’ prayers are spoken and it is possible for the couple to write these themselves and opt to have them spoken by the priest or a member of the congregation of their choosing.

4. Liturgy of the Eucharist

Regular Churchgoers will be familiar with the Liturgy of the Eucharist, and that which takes place in a Wedding Ceremony has very little difference from the everyday version which you will be used to, the only difference being that the Bride and Groom can themselves present the gifts. To summarise the Liturgy of the Eucharist for those of you not familiar with it, first is the ‘Preparation of the Altar’ and the ‘Presentation of Gifts’ where the bread and wine are brought forward along with any money collected from the congregation. Next, an appropriate hymn will be sung followed by the priests ‘Prayer of the Gifts’ which may be spoken or sung. The congregation will stand (or kneel in Ireland) and the priest will read the ‘Eucharist Prayer’. To complete the Liturgy of the Eucharist, ‘Sanctus, Sanctus’ (‘Holy, Holy’), ‘Memorial Acclamation’ and ‘Great Amen’ are sung by the congregation.