Weddingbee Blog

In an earlier post I walked up  the aisle to my Groom, and then we celebrated a very personal Liturgy of the Word. Now it was time to stand up before our family and friends and state our intentions and receive the Sacrament of Marriage. If you celebrate the Rites of Marriage inside Mass or outside Mass, in the Catholic Church the Rite of Marriage are the same in either situation. I like that Mr P and I said the same words to each other that our parents said in their vows, our grandparents said in their vows, and that generations upon generations have vowed before us.

RITE OF MARRIAGE

My dear friends, you have come together in this church so that God may seal and strengthen your love in the presence of the Church’s minister and this community gathered in faith.

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.

Matthew and Amy, have you come here freely and without reservation to give yourselves to each other in marriage?

“We will”

Will you love and honor each other as wife and husband for the rest of your lives?

“We will”

Will you accept children lovingly from God, and bring them up according to the law of Christ and his church?

“We will”

Exchange Of Vows

Since it is your intention to enter into marriage, join your right hands, and declare your consent before God and this community.

Matthew, do you take Amy to be your wife? Do you promise to be true to her in good times and in bad, in sickness and in health, to love her and honor her all the days of your life?

“I do.”

Amy, do you take Matthew to be your husband? Do you promise to be true to him in good times and in bad, in sickness and in health, to love him and honor him all the days of your life?

“I do.”

You have declared your consent before the Church. May God’s goodness strengthen your consent and fill you both with many blessings. What God has joined, let no one divide.

Amen.

Blessing of Rings

Lord,

Bless and consecrate Amy and Matt. In their love for each other, may 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.

Image courtesy of wedding guest, Mrs Cherry Pie {Persimmon Images}

“Amy, take this ring as a symbol of my love and fidelity. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.”

Poor Mr P; I’m smirking because my fingers had swelled up to sausage like proportions on our wedding day. It was particularly warm and Mr Pretzel had the hardest time getting my ring on my finger.

Image courtesy of wedding guest, Mrs Cherry Pie {Persimmon Images}

“Matt, take this ring as a symbol of my love and fidelity. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.”

Mr P’s ring went on much easier. Phew!

GENERAL INTERCESSIONS

God has given us promises in the word of Scripture. Matthew and Amy have given their promises to each other in marriage. This hour of promise is also a time of prayer. We turn to God and make our response by singing: “Lord, hear our prayer.”

For the general intercessions usually an intention is read. The reader then says “We pray to the Lord,” and the congregation responds “Lord hear our prayer.” This is repeated for multiple prayer intentions. Our friend J read our intercessions but sang the “We pray to the Lord” and the congregation chimes in on the word “Lord” and sings “Lord hear our prayer.”  It is Mr P’s and my favorite way to do the general intercessions.

For the church, those who serve the church, and for all who preach and practice the Gospel of Christ, we pray to the Lord.

For our nation and this city, and for all those who serve in government, we pray to the Lord.

For the outcasts and downtrodden of our city and our nation, and for the churches and families who offer them refuge and compassion, we pray to the Lord.

For Matthew and Amy and all married couples, for their faithfulness to each other and for their loving service of the Gospel, we pray to the Lord.

For the parents and families of Matthew and Amy, for their godparents, we pray to the Lord.

For family members who have gone before us marked with the sign of Faith, especially Mrs Pretzel’s Paternal Grandparents and Maternal Grandfather and Mr Pretzel’s Paternal Grandfather, we pray to the Lord.

For our own needs in a moment of silence… we pray to the Lord.

God our Creator, guardian of our homes and source of all blessings, you delight in the happiness of your people. Hear the prayers this Church offers for Matthew and Amy for all your people and for all the world. Fulfill our needs and guide our actions towards the building up of your kingdom. We ask this through Christ our Lord.

AMEN.

EEEE! We’re married yo! Mr Pretzel and I took our seats, admired our rings and grinned like fools at each other.

Coming up: We celebrate the Eucharist for the first time as husband and wife!

Need to catch up?

Twisted Together, aka Pretzel recaps:

• In the last week we got a little help from our friends
• Take a closer look at our favors
• Take a closer look at our programs
• We welcomed our guests to Seattle
• We took in a ball game
• Sipping tea and bridal party pampering
• We rehearse, I stress
• Nom, Nom, Rehearsal Dinner on the beach Pt 1
• Giving Gifts, Rehearsal Dinner on the beach Pt 2
• I was Sleepless in Seattle (suburbs)
• We Primp (hair and makeup)
• We got dressed
• Old New Borrowed Blue
• At first sight - our first look
• The Quiet before the Ceremony
• Welcome to our wedding
• We walked down the aisle
• Our Mass: Liturgy of the Word