Introductory Prayer: Lord Jesus/ we believe that you are present here among us,/ for You have said that where two or three are gathered together in Your Name,/ You will be present in their midst / We are indeed, gathered here in Your name / because we believe that human love, when blessed by you / can achieve new power, depth and beauty./ We ask You to pour out Your abundant blessings on __________________ & ________________ / so that their mutual love may become powerful, deep & beautiful / as You alone can make it./ Grant to them a true, adult, mature love. Grant that in knowing each other, they may come to love You more deeply,/ for You alone are the Alpha and Omega/ the beginning and the end. Amen.
A reading from the letter of St. Paul to the Corinthians.(13:1-7)
If we have all the eloquence of men or of angels, but speak without love, we are simply gongs booming or cymbals clashing. If we have the gift of prophecy, understanding all the mysteries there are and knowing everything and if we have faith in all its fullness to move mountains, but without love, then we are nothing at all. If we give away all that we possess, piece by piece, and if we even let them take our bodies to burn them, but are without love, it will do us no good whatever. Love is always patient, and kind, it is never jealous; love is never boastful or conceited; it is never rude or selfish, it does not take offense and is not resentful. Love takes no pleasure in other peoples sins but delights in the truth; it is always ready to excuse, to trust, to hope and to endure whatever comes. This is the Word of the Lord.
Response : This is my commandment, love one another as I have loved you.
Groom : Beloved by God, let us love one another, for love comes from God. R/-
Bride : He who loves is God's child and knows God, for God is love R/-
Groom : God sent His Son into the world to bring us life. Thus He shows His love. R/-
Bride : Beloved, we in turn are bound to love one another for God has loved us. R/-
Almighty God, who love to bless all the details of our lives, bless + these rings which _______________ & _______________ give to each other as tokens of their mutual love. Let these rings blessed by you, remind them that it is You who have brought them together and may they help each other always to love and serve You faithfully. You who are God living and reigning forever and ever. Amen.
Groom: ______________ accept this ring as a sign of my love, and of my promise to make you my wife, according to the rites of Holy Mother Church, in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Bride: ______________ Accept this ring as a sign of my love and of my promise to accept you as my husband according to the rites of Holy Mother the Church, in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Your Response : Hear Thy people O Lord.
That ___________________ and ________________ may grow in true and genuine love during the period of their engagement, let us pray to the Lord . R/-
That through this engagement, the families of ______________ and ________________ may find greater peace and happiness, let us pray to the Lord. R/-
That this time of engagement for __________________ and ________________ may be a time of growth in grace, let us pray to the Lord. R/- For all engaged couples for all young men and women, that they may realise that love is essentially sacrificial, let us pray to the Lord . R/-
For all of us present here, that this engagement may bring an incentive to love more deeply, our near and dear ones, let us pray to the Lord . R/-
Priest : Hear O Lord our prayers and grant these petitions for you are our Father and the source of every grace and gift. We make this prayer through Jesus Christ Our Lord, in the love of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
May God bless you as He blessed Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. May the hand of the Lord be upon you all the days of your life. Amen.
May Almighty God Bless you, the Father the Son and the Holy Spirit, come down upon you and remain with you forever and ever. Amen.