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"...
may they both see their children's children to the third and fourth
generation."
Christian Wedding
Blessing -
Sample 1
O God, by Your mighty power You made all things out
of nothing. First, You set the beginnings of the universe in order.
Then, You made man in Your image, and appointed woman to be his
inseparable helpmate. Thus You made woman's body from the flesh of man,
thereby teaching that what You have been pleased to institute from one
principle might never lawfully be put asunder.
O God, You have sanctified marriage by a mystery so excellent that in
the marriage union You foreshadowed the union of Christ and the Church.
O God, You join woman to man, and You endow that fellowship with a
blessing which was not taken away in punishment for original sin nor by
the sentence of the flood.
Look, in Your mercy, upon this Your handmaid, about to be joined in
wedlock, who entreats You to protect and strengthen her. Let the yoke of
marriage to her be one of love and peace. Faithful and chaste, let her
marry in Christ. Let her ever follow the model of holy women: let her be
dear to her husband like Rachel; wise like Rebecca; long-lived and
faithful like Sara. Let the author of sin work none of his evil deeds
within her; let her ever keep the Faith and the commandments. Let her be
true to one wedlock and shun all sinful embraces; let her strengthen
weakness by stern discipline.
Let her be grave in demeanor, honorable for her modesty, learned in
heavenly doctrine, fruitful in children. Let her life be good and
innocent. Let her come finally to the rest of the blessed in the kingdom
of heaven. May they both see their children's children to the third and
fourth generation, thus attaining the old age which they desire. Through
the same our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, Who lives and reigns with You
in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, world without end. Amen.
A Christian Wedding
Blessing -
Sample 2
O, God, by your power you have made
everything out of nothing. In the beginning you created the universe and
made us in your own likeness. You gave man the constant help of woman so
that man and woman should no longer be two, but one flesh, and you teach
us that what you have united may never be divided.
O, God, you have made the union of man and wife so holy a mystery that
it symbolizes the marriage of Christ and his people. O, God, by your
plan man and woman are united, and married life has been established as
the one blessing that was not forfeited by sin. Look with love
upon this woman, your daughter, now joined to her husband in marriage.
She asks your blessing. Give her the grace of love and peace. May she
always follow the example of the holy women whose praises are sung in
the scriptures. May her husband put his trust in her and know that
she is his equal and the heir with him to the life of grace. May he
always honor her and love her as Christ loves his people.
Keep them always true to your commandments. Keep them faithful in
marriage and let them be living examples of Christian life. Give them
the strength which comes from the gospel so that they may be witnesses
of Christ to others. And, after a happy old age, grant them fullness of
life with the saints in the kingdom of heaven. We ask this through
Christ our Lord. Amen.
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