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Appendix III
e Order of Blessing a Married Couple within Mass
on the Anniversary of Marriage
272. On the main anniversaries of Marriage, as for example, on the twenty-h, ieth, or sixtieth anniversary, it is
tting to hold a special remembrance of the Sacrament by means of the celebration of the proper Mass with the prayers
indicated in e Roman Missal (Masses and Prayers for Various Needs and Occasions, 11. On the Anniversaries of Mar-
riage).
273. In the Liturgy of the Word, the readings may be taken either from the Lectionary For the Celebration of Marriage
(see above, nos. 179-222), or from the Mass For Giving anks to God from the Lectionary for Masses for Various Needs
(cf. e Roman Missal, Lectionary for Mass, nos. 943-947) in accord with the norm of the rubrics.
274. Aer the reading of the Gospel, in a homily based on the sacred text, the Priest should expound the mystery and
the grace of Christian married life, keeping in mind, however, the various circumstances of individuals.
275. en, in these or similar words, the Priest invites the couple to pray in silence and to renew before God their
commitment to live their Marriage in holiness.
N. and N.,
on the anniversary of that celebration
at which you joined your lives in an unbreakable bond
through the Sacrament of Matrimony,
you now intend to renew before the Lord
the promises you made to one another.
Turn to the Lord in prayer,
that these vows may be strengthened by divine grace.
276. en the couple renew their commitment quietly.
277. If, however, the couple, taking circumstances into account, wish to renew their commitment publicly, the form
provided here is used:
e husband:
Blessed are you, Lord,
for by your goodness I took N. as my wife.
e wife:
Blessed are you, Lord,
for by your goodness I took N. as my husband.
Both:
Blessed are you, Lord,
for in the good and the bad times of our life
you have stood lovingly by our side.
Help us, we pray,
to remain faithful in our love for one another,
so that we may be true witnesses
to the covenant you have made with humankind.
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e Priest:
May the Lord keep you safe all the days of your life.
May he be your comfort in adversity
and your support in prosperity.
May he ll your home with his blessings.
rough Christ our Lord.
± Amen.
e Blessing of Rings
278. en the Priest, if appropriate, says this prayer:
Increase and sanctify, Lord,
the love of your servants N. and N.,
who once gave each other these rings
as a sign of faithfulness,
that they may always grow in the grace of the Sacrament.
rough Christ our Lord.
± Amen.
And the rings may be honoured with an incensation.
279. If, however, new rings are presented, the Priest says this prayer of blessing:
Bless and sanctify
the love of your servants, O Lord;
let these rings, a sign of their faithfulness,
remind them of their love for one another
and recall the grace of the Sacrament.
rough Christ our Lord.
± Amen.
Another formula, no. 229.
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280. en follows the Universal Prayer or Prayer of the Faithful in the form usual at Mass, or prayer in common in the
form provided here:
Let us call upon the mercy of God the almighty Father,
who in his most provident plan
willed that the history of salvation
be signied in marital love and delity.
(marital love, delity and fruitfulness.)
± Renew the delity of your servants, Lord.
Holy Father, who are called faithful,
requiring and rewarding the observance of your covenant,
be pleased to ll with your blessings these your servants
who celebrate the (twenty-h, ieth, sixtieth) anniversary
of their Marriage. ±
Holy Father, who with the Son and the Holy Spirit
enjoy from eternity perfect oneness of life and communion of love,
grant that these your servants
may always remember and faithfully keep
the covenant of love they made in the Sacrament. ±
Holy Father, who in your providence
order all the experiences of human life
so as to lead the faithful to share in the mystery of Christ,
grant that these your servants,
serenely accepting both good times and bad,
may strive to cling to Christ and live for him alone. ±
Holy Father, who willed that the partnership of Marriage
should be an example of Christian living,
grant that all married couples
may be witnesses in the world
to the mystery of your Son’s love. ±
281. e Priest concludes the prayer:
O God, in whose plan
family life has its rm foundation,
hear with compassion the prayers of your servants
and grant that,
following the example of the Holy Family,
they may praise you without end
in the joy of your house.
rough Christ our Lord.
± Amen.
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282. In the Liturgy of the Eucharist everything takes place according to the Order of Mass, except what follows.
If appropriate, at the Presentation of the Gis the husband and wife may bring the bread, wine, and water to the
altar.
283. Aer the Our Father, the prayer Deliver us, is omitted. e Priest, facing the couple, with hands extended, says:
We praise you, O God,
we bless you, Creator of all things,
who in the beginning made man and woman
that they might form a communion of life and love.
We also give you thanks
for graciously blessing the family life
of your servants N. and N.,
so that it might present an image of Christ’s union with the Church.
erefore look with kindness upon them today,
and as you have sustained their communion
amid joys and struggles,
renew their Marriage covenant each day,
increase their charity,
and strengthen in them the bond of peace,
so that (, together with the circle of their children that surrounds them,)
they may for ever enjoy your blessing.
rough Christ our Lord.
All reply:
Amen.
284. Aer e peace of the Lord has been said, if appropriate, in accordance with local customs, the couple and all
others oer one another a sign that suitably expresses peace and charity.
285. e couple may receive Communion under both kinds.
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286. At the end of Mass, the Priest blesses the couple and those present either in the usual manner or with a more
solemn formula, for example, in the following way:
e Deacon invites those present to receive the blessing:
Bow down for the blessing.
en the Priest, with hands extended over the couple, says:
May God the all-powerful Father
grant you his joy.
± Amen.
May the Only Begotten Son of God
stand by you with compassion in good times and in bad.
± Amen.
May the Holy Spirit
always pour forth his love into your hearts.
± Amen.
Finally, he blesses all present, adding:
And may almighty God bless all of you, who are gathered here,
the Father, and the Son, Ñ and the Holy Spirit.
± Amen.
Exceprts from text of the Roman Missal © 2010, Order of Celebrating Matrimony English translation © 2013, International Commit-
tee on English in the Liturgy, Inc. All Rights Reserved. .
One of a series of resources from www.liturgyoce.org.uk/Resources/Conrmation
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