The Eucharistic Celebration

Commentator:  

Introduction:  

     Good afternoon guests, family and friends.  We are here today to witness the union of LIAM and GRACE in Holy Matrimony.  To share their prayer that Christ may give them grace as they start a new life.  May this union of Christ fills them with eternal love, joy and peace and that their fidelity to one another may truly be a symbol of Christ love to his Church.

        Please all stand to welcome the Bride and Groom and their entourage.

WEDDING PROCESSION

Best Man
Groom with Parent
Principal Sponsors
Secondary Sponsors
Bridesmaids / Grooms men
Junior Bridesmaids / Junior Grooms men
Bible Bearer
Ring Bearer
Arrhae Bearer
Candle Bearer
Cord and Veil Bearer
Bride's Parents
Maid of Honor
Flower Girls
Bride


After the wedding procession, when the Bride and Groom and their entire entourage have taken their respective places the mass begins.)

Priest:  In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.

All:  Amen.

Priest:  The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.

All:   And with your  spirit.

Priest:  God is love, and has, in some mysterious ways drawn you LIAM and GRACE together in love.  Today we are here to celebrate LOVE - a love between two people who have found each other, a love that seeks perfection, a love that seeks God.  God has chosen this day for LIAM and GRACE to pledge their love and life to each other.  Let us unite as one and pray for the success of this marriage.


Priest:   Coming together as God's family, let us pause for a while and reflect on our failures.  Let us ask our Lord to grant us His forgiveness and His loving mercy.  (Pause)

All:  I confess to Almighty God, and to you, my brothers and sisters that I have greatly sinned ,in my thoughts, in my words, in what I have done and in what I have failed to do; through my fault, through my grievous fault, and I ask the Blessed Mary, ever Virgin, all the angels and saints, and you my brothers and sisters to pray for me to the Lord our God.

Priest:  Love is patient.  Love is kind.  Love is not jealous.  Love is never rude nor selfish.  Love does not seeks its own interest.  For the times we thought only ourselves.  Lord, have mercy.

All:  Lord, have mercy.

Priest:  Love delights in the truth.  For times we were not true to ourselves and our calling.  Christ, have mercy.

All:  Christ, have mercy.

Priest:  Love is always ready to forgive, to trust, to hope and to endure whatever comes.  For the times, we gave upon ourselves and one another.  Lord, have mercy.

All:  Lord, have mercy.

Priest:  May Almighty God have mercy on us, forgive us our sins and bring us to everlasting life.

All:  Amen.


LORD HAVE MERCY (to be sung)

Lord, have mercy, Lord, have mercy
Lord, have mercy on us.

Christ, have mercy, Christ, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy, have mercy on us.

Lord, have mercy, Lord, have mercy
Lord, have mercy on us.

Priest:  Glory to God in the highest ... (to be sung)


OPENING PRAYER

Priest:  Let us pray.  Father, your Son, Jesus Christ elevated Matrimony to the order of grace, we now ask you to hear our prayers for LIAM and GRACE.  With complete trust in You and Your perfect plan for their lives, they commit themselves today to this sacramental union.  May they consecrate their lives to You in the sacred calling of marriage and may they faithfully and lovingly strive to full-fill the mission that You have set out for them as husband and wife.  We ask You this through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your son, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God forever and ever.

All:  Amen.

Commentator:  Please be seated for the readings.


First Reading:  

A reading from the book of Sirach.

The husband of a good wife is a fortunate man; he will live twice as long because of her.  A fine wife is a joy to her husband, and he can live out his years in peace.  A good wife is among the precious blessings give to those who fear the Lord.  Whether such men are rich or poor, they will be happy and always look cheerful.  A gracious wife is her husband's delight; her abilities makes him a  stronger man.  A wife who doesn't talk too much is a gift from the Lord.  Such restraint is admirable beyond words.  A modest wife has endless charm; it is a quality too precious to measure.  The beauty in a good wife in her well kept home is like the noonday sun shining in the Lord's sky.

The word of the Lord.

All:  Thanks be to God.

RESPONSORIAL PSALM:  (to be sung)


Antiphon:

Here am I, Oh God,
I come to do Your wll
Here am I, I come to do Your will

                              I
I've waited for you and you heard me, Oh God.
You have put a new song in my mouth.
A hymn of praise to the God of my salvation.

                              II
You opened my ear to your word, Oh God.
You take no delight in empty sacrifice.
 To do your will, is my life and my delight, Oh God.

                             III
I sing of your justice, I sing of your peace.
I sing of your faithfulness and steadfast love.
I chant your praise in the midst of all your people.


Second Reading:
A reading from the Epistle of St. Paul to the Ephesians: 5:22-32

Wives should be submissive to their husband as though to the Lord; because the husband is the head of the wife just as Jesus is the Church, his body of which he is also the Savior.  Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loves the Church and gave himself up for her to make her holy.  Husbands should love their wives as they love their own flesh; he nourishes and takes care of it, just as Christ does for the Church, because we are members of his father and mother, and shall cling to his wife; and the two shall become one flesh.  This is a great symbol of the love of Christ for his Church.  But in any case, each one of you should love his wife, just as he loves himself, and the wife should also revere her husband.

The word of the Lord.

All:   Thanks be to God.

Commentator:  Please stand to honor the Gospel.

ALLELUIA:  (to be sung)

GOSPEL:

Priest:  The Lord be with you.

All:  And with your spirit.

Priest:  A reading from the Holy Gospel according to John 15: 9-12

All:  Glory to You, O Lord.

Priest:  Jesus said to His disciples:  ''As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you.  Remain in my love.  If you keep my commandments you will remain in my love.  Just as I have kept my Father's commandments and remain in His love.  I have told you this so that my own joy may be in you and your joy be complete.  This is my commandment:  Love one another as I have loved you.''

The Gospel of the Lord.

All:  Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

Commentator:  Please be seated for the Homily.

HOMILY

(The couple stands and the community sits)

Commentator:  
LIAM and GRACE will now pledge their commitment for each other in the Sacrament of Matrimony.  Let us join them in prayer as we witness this significant moment in their journey of faith, love and life.  May I request the parents and principal sponsors to come to the altar to act as witnesses of the ceremony.

Priest:  Dearly beloved LIAM and GRACE, you are here today to seal your love with an eternal bond before the Church.  I assure you of the prayers of the community that God may pour His abundant blessings on your love and help you carry out the duties of the married state.  And you dear sponsors, parents, brothers, and sisters, relatives and friends of LIAM and GRACE may I ask you to help them with your prayers and accept them as a new couple in our Christian community.


STATEMENT OF INTENTIONS

Priest:  May I ask you to answer truthfully the following questions.  Grace, did you come here of your own free will, to bind yourself forever in the love and service of your husband?

Grace:  Yes, Father.

Priest:  Liam, did you come here of your own free will, to bind yourself forever in the love and service of your wife?

Liam:  Yes, Father.

Priest:  Are you both ready to raise as good Christians, the children whom God will give you?

Liam & Grace:  Yes, Father.

EXCHANGE OF CONSENT

Priest:  LIAM and GRACE, since it is your intention to contract Holy Matrimony, please join your right hands and declare your consent before God and His Church.

Grace do you take Liam, here present, as your lawful husband, according to the rite of our Holy Mother, the Church?

Grace:  Yes, I do.

Priest:  Do you give yourself to him as his wife?

Grace:  Yes, I do.

Priest:  Do you accept him as your lawful husband?

Grace:  Yes, I do.

Priest:  Liam do you take Grace, here present, as your lawful wife, according to the rite of our Holy Mother, the Church?

Liam:  Yes, I do.

Priest:  Do you give yourself to her as her husband ?

Liam:  Yes, I do.

Priest:  Do you accept her as your lawful wife?

Liam:  Yes, I do.

Priest:  May I now request you to recite this prayer together.

Liam & Grace:  Guide us Almighty Father, a strive to fulfill our marriage vows.  Grant us O Lord, to be one heart and one soul from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, until death to us part.  We put ourselves in your hands, as husband and wife, and share this covenant with all those who are present.

COMMITMENT OF THE SPONSORS:

Priest:  May I request the principal sponsors to pledge their support for LIAM and GRACE  to the Holy Mother, the Church and to the loving community here present.

Sponsors:  Dearly beloved LIAM and GRACE, heaven and earth are witness to the covenant you have made.  In the name of the community here present, we testify before God and Man that you are now husband and wife.  We wholeheartedly accept you and you can count on our prayers and support.

CONFIRMATION OF THE MARRIAGE BOND

Priest:  LIAM and GRACE, you have declared your consent before the church.  May the Lord, in His goodness, strengthen His blessings.

And I, by the authority of the Church, calling on all those present here witness, confirm and bless the bond of marriage, which you have contracted.  In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

All:  Amen.

BLESSING AND GIVING OF THE RINGS

Commentator:  May we request the Ring bearer, Henry Angelo to bring the wedding rings.

Priest:  LIAM and GRACE, we shall now bless your rings.  Our help is in the name of the Lord.

All:  He who made heaven and earth.

Priest:  Let us pray.  Bless, O Lord these rings that your children, LIAM and GRACE, who will wear them, may ever live in mutual love and unbroken loyalty.  We ask this through Christ our Lord.

All:  Amen.

Priest:  The ring is a symbol of the love you have for each other.  Its unending circle represents the eternal quality of the love to which you are called by Christ.  Now you my seal your promises to each other by giving and receiving each other's ring.

Liam:  Grace, take and wear this ring as a reminder of my promises to you today and as a symbol of my love and fidelity in my sincerest desire to live the rest of my life with you, in trust, in goodwill and in love.  Wear it with love and joy.  I choose you to be my wife now and forever.  In the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.

Grace:  Liam, take and wear this ring as a reminder of my promises to you today and as a symbol of my love and fidelity in my sincerest desire to live the rest of my life with you, in trust, in goodwill and in love.  Wear it with love and joy.  I choose you to be my husband now and forever.  In the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.


BLESSING AND GIVING OF ARRHAE

Commentator:  May we request Johann to bring the arrhae.

Priest:  We shall now bless your arrhae.  Our help is in the name of the Lord.

All:  He who made heaven and earth.

Priest:  Let us pray.  Bless, O Lord, LIAM and GRACE with material possessions to support and sustain them in their married life, which this arrhae symbolizes.  May they be responsible stewards of your blessings as they choose the path of generosity and self-giving.  We ask this through Christ our Lord.

All:  Amen.

Liam:  Grace, I give you this arrhae a pledge of my dedication to you and our children's well-being and welfare.  In the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.

Grace:  Liam, I gratefully and joyfully, accept them as a symbol of my responsibility of building a family and truly Christian home with you.  In the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.

BLESSING AND GIVING OF THE BIBLE

Commentator:  May we request Franz to bring the Holy Bible

Priest:  Bless O Lord, this Bible so that your children Liam and Grace may find in the guidance and strength and use them to bear witness to your Word.  We ask this through Christ our Lord Amen.



All:  Amen.

Liam and Grace receive this Bible, the word of God, read them, believe what you read and live what you believe.  Remember man does not live by bread alone but by the word of God.

Commentator: All please stand.


ACCEPTANCE OF THE COUPLE IN THE CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY

Commentator:  May we request everybody to stand and let us pray for the acceptance of the couple into the Christian community.

All:  LIAM and GRACE, we shared your life and love, and now, we send you on praying that the love you have pledged for each other  before God and His people.  We give witness before God, His Church and this community that LIAM and GRACE are now married to each other.

Commentator:  We now welcome them as a new couple in our Christian Community with our warm applause.

Principal Sponsors, bearers, and parents may now go back to their seats.

May we request the offerers, to please approach the offertory table.

All please remain standing for the Prayers of the Faithful.


Priest:  Dearly beloved, let us now pray for the Holy Church and for LIAM and GRACE whose marriage reflect their union with Christ.

For every petition we pray:  Lord, graciously hear our prayer.

Leader:  

That the Almighty God may grant LIAM and GRACE fullness of life, peace and forgiveness and increased faith in God as they journey through life together in harmony and joy.  Let us pray to the Lord.

For LIAM and GRACE, that the Almighty God may continue to make His presence felt throughout their married life, and that He may protect them from evil, lighten their burdens, fortify them in their trials.  Let us pray to the Lord.

May they forever be faithful to the vows they made.  Grow in love for one another and be ready to raise a family founded on that love.  Let us pray to the Lord.

For the parents of LIAM and GRACE, who have given much themselves to raise their children, that they may experience God's love, enjoy good health and peace of mind.  Let us pray to the Lord.

For their families and friends, may the Lord grant them the happiness they seek, and may they have strength and support for LIAM and GRACE.  Let us pray to the Lord.


For all married couples present, that the Lord may stir up the grace of the Holy Sacrament of Matrimony in them.  Let us pray to the Lord.

Priest:  Lord, we offer this petitions to you, confident in Your love and mercy upon us.  We ask you to grant them according to your most holy will.  We ask this through Christ our Lord.

All:  Amen.

Commentator:  Please be seated for the offertory.

OFFERTORY:


Oh Lord, Father Almighty, accept this bread and wine
We offer now our gifts to thee, to show that we are thine.

Refrain I

And we will give you music, for a thousand themes,
To serve you and love, for our whole life through.

II
You thought us how to love you, to love our neighbours too,
So clean our hearts and bless our mind, for you to dwell us rhyme.

Refrain II

And we love one another, as brothers and sisters.
With nothing to make us, hate each other.

Soon we will all be sharing, the banquet of our King,
So clean our hearts and bless our minds, for you to dwell us rhyme.

Repeat Refrain I
Repeat Refrain II until end.

And to serve you and love you, for our whole life through.


NUPTIAL CANDLE CEREMONY (while candle is lighted)

Commentator:
     (Erwin and Ana Marie will light the candles)

These candles are symbols of light and warmth, of wisdom and love, of hope and life.  The flame is the symbol of God's presence in the love of LIAM and GRACE for each other.  Through God alone we can attain abiding light and warmth,  wisdom and love, hope and life, now and forever.

(Sidney and Candelaria to place the veil)

The veil is a symbol of unity and togetherness.  LIAM and GRACE, at baptism, you were clothed with the white garment, symbolizing the new life of purity and joy in the Lord to which the risen Christ has called you.  We clothe you again with this precious garment as you enter into the new phase of your life as one with God.  Wear it unstained and let the joy of the Holy Spirit shine forth through all your children and everyone whom the Lord's loving desire will bring into your life.

(Felix and Evangeline to put the cord)

The cord symbolizes the yoke that binds together.  May it remind you forever of your marriage, both life's joy and sorrows shared as one.  May you always support each other and together courageously face the responsibilities as husband and wife.


PRESENTATION OF GIFTS
Priest:  Blessed are You, God or all creation.  Through Your goodness we have this bread to offer which earth has given and human hands have made.  It will become the for us the bread of life.

All:  Blessed be God forever.

Priest:  Blessed are You, God of all creation.  Through your goodness we have this wine to offer, fruit of the vine and the work of human hands.  It will become our spiritual  drink.

All:  Blessed be God forever.

Priest:  Lord, we ask you to receive us and be pleased with the sacrifice we offer you with humble and contrite hearts.  Pray brothers and sisters, that our sacrifice may be acceptable to God, the Almighty Father.

All:  May the Lord accept the sacrifice at your hands, for the praise and glory of His name, for our good and the good of all His Holy Church.

Commentator:  All please rise for the offertory prayer.


Priest:  The Lord be with you.

All:  And with your spirit.

Priest:  Lift up your hearts.

All:  We lift them up to the Lord.

Priest:  Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.

All:  It is right and just.

Priest:  Father, all-powerful and ever living God, we do well always and everywhere to give you thanks.  By this sacrament Your grace unites man and woman in an unbreakable bond of love and peace.  You have designed the chaste love of husband and wife for the increase  of both, the human family born in Baptism.

You are the loving Father of the world of nature; You are the loving Father of the new creation of grace.  In Christian Marriage you bring together the new orders of creation; nature's gift of children enriches the world and Your grace, enriches also Your Church.

Through Christ, the choir of angels and all the saints praise and worship Your glory.  May our voices be one with theirs are we join in their triumphant hymn of praise.

HOLY (to be sung)

Commentator:  All please kneel.


Priest:  Lord, You are holy indeed, the fountain of all holiness.  Let your spirit come upon these gifts to make them holy, so that they may become for us the Body and + Blood of our Lord, Jesus Christ.

Before He has given up to death, a death He freely accepted, He took bread and gave you thanks.  He broke the bread, gave it to His disciples and said; ''Take this all of you and eat it, this is my Body which will be given up for you.

(Silent Prayer: My Lord and my God)

When supper was ended, he took the cup.  Again, He gave you thanks and praise, and gave the cup to his disciples and said; ''Take this, all of you and drink form it, this is the cup of my blood, the blood of the new and everlasting covenant.  It will be shed for you and for all men so that sins may be forgiven.  Do this in memory of Me.

(Silent Prayer: My Lord and my God)

Priest:  Let us proclaim the mystery of our faith.

Commentator:  Please all rise.

MEMORIAL ACCLAMATION:  (to be sung)
(Hymn: Save us Savior of the Wold or Dying You Destroyed our Death)

Dying you destroyed our death
Rising you, restored our life.
Lord Jesus, Lord, Jesus, come in glory.

Priest:  In memory of His death and resurrection, we offer You, Father, this life-giving bread, this saving cup.  We thank you for counting us worth to stand in your presence and serve you.  May all of us who share in this body and blood of Christ, be brought together in unity by the Holy Spirit.  Lord, remember your Church throughout the world, make us grow in live, together with Benedict the XVI, our Pope, Angel Lagdameo, our Archbishop, and all the clergy.

Remember our brother and sister who have gone their rest in the hope of rising again.  Bring them and all the departed into the light of Your presence.  Have mercy on us all, make us worthy to share eternal life with Mary, the Virgin Mother of God, with the Apostles, and with all the saints, who have done Your will throughout the ages, and give you glory, through Your son Jesus Christ.

Through Him, with Him, in Him, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, all glory and honor is Yours Almighty Father, forever and ever.

All:  Amen.

Priest:  Let us pray with confidence to the Father in the word our Saviour gave us.



Priest:  My dear brothers and sisters, let us pray for LIAM and GRACE who come to God's altar at the beginning for their married life, so that they may always be united in love for each other.

Holy Father, Creator of the universe, maker of one man and one women in your own likeness, source of blessing for married life, we humbly pray to You for this woman, who today is united with her husband in this sacrament of marriage.  May Your fullest blessings come upon her and her husband, so that they may together rejoice in Your gift of married life and enrich Your Church with their children.

Lord, may they both praise You when they are happy and turn to You in their sorrow.  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 witness 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.

COMMUNION RITE

Priest:  Lord Jesus Christ, You said to you apostles, I leave you peace, My peace I give you.  Look not on our sins, but on the faith of Your Church, and grant us the peace and unity of Your Kingdom, where You live forever and ever.

All:  Amen.

Priest:  The peace of the Lord be with you always.

All:  And with you Spirit.

Priest:  Let us offer each other the sign of peace.


Commentator:  Please all kneel.

Priest:  This is the Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world.  Happy are those who are called to His banquet.

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

Commentator:  You are now invited to receive Jesus in Holy Communion:

HOLY COMMUNION

PRAYER AFTER HOLY COMMUNION

Commentator:  May I request the cord and veil sponsors to remove the respective symbols.

Priest:  Let us pray.  Lord, in your love, You have given us this Eucharist to unite us with one another and with you.  As you have made LIAM and GRACE one in this sacrament of marriage and in the sharing of one bread and the one cup, so now make them one in love for each other.  We ask this through Christ our Lord.

All:  Amen.

Priest:  to read the PAPAL BLESSING


SEVENFOLD BLESSING

Priest:  LIAM and GRACE, now that you have received the Holy Sacrament of Matrimony, I admonished you to remain faithful to one another.

Grace, love your husband and be a good housewife, persevere in faith and love and holiness.

Liam, love your wife as Christ love His Church and live with her in the holy fear of the Lord.

Priest:  The Lord be with you.

All:  And with your spirit.

Priest:  May the Lord bless you by the word of His mouth.

All:  Amen.

Priest:  May He unite your hearts in an enduring bond of your pure love.

All:  Amen.

Priest:  May He blessed in your children, and may the love that you lavish on them be returned a hundredfold.

All:  Amen.

Priest:  May the peace of Christ dwell always in your hearts and in your home, may you have true friends to stand by you, both in joy and in sorrow.

All:  Amen.

Priest:  May you be ready with the help and consolation of all those who come to you in need, and may the blessing promised to the compassion descend in abundance on your house.

All:  Amen.

Priest:  May you be blessed in your work and enjoy its fruits.  May care never cause you distress, now the desire of earthly possessions lead you astray, but may heart's concern be always for the treasure laid up for you in the life of heaven.

All:  Amen.

Priest:  May the Lord grant you fullness of years, so that you may reap the harvest of a good life and you have served him with loyalty in his Kingdom on earth, may he take you into His eternal dominions in heaven.

All:  Amen.

Priest:  And may Almighty God bless you all, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.

All:  Amen.

Priest:  The celebration has been offered.  Go in peace to love and serve the Lord.

All:  Thanks be to God.

Final Song.


One love, one life
One dream forever
One love, for one life
Till death do us part
Till death do us part.



SIGNING OF CONTRACT

Priest:  Ladies and gentlemen, may I present to you

MR. and MRS. WILIAM JOSEPH ANTHONY HEVEHAN

Liam, You may now kiss your bride.





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