Pray Together 

Can be very simple – a spontaneous word or phrase of praise to God, or a prayer asking for God’s help etc.

• Read scriptures in Bible together
• Psalms or favourite passages from the gospels
• Go to Mass together
• Sacrament of Reconciliation
• A great way of Preparing
• Be open to the spiritual not just the day of your marriage but throughout your married life

Christ has no body but yours,” St. Teresa of Avila”

Christ has no body now, but yours
No hands, no feet on earth but yours.
Yours are the eyes through which he looks 
with compassion on this world,
Yours are the feet with which he walks to do good,
Yours are the hands with which he blesses all the world.
Yours are the hands.
Yours are the feet.
Yours are the eyes.
You are his Body.

A Prayer for Understanding
Taken from Before I Do, by Anthony Garascia, Ave Maria Press, Indiana, 1999

Lord, help us to always seek first 
to understand each other,
to lead with compassion, 
to walk a while in the other’s experience.
Help us to walk the road of marriage together,
trusting that when we doubt 
you will give us faith,
that when we criticise 
you will give us courage to seek forgiveness.
May our love for one another burn in our hearts 
in tough times as well as in easy times. 
May your Spirit renew our love again 
and again so that we may give witness 
to your saving presence in our lives.

Prayer of the Newly Married Couple, Rite of Marriage (Veritas)

We thank you, Lord,
And we praise you
For bringing us
To this happy day.

You have given us to each other.
Now, together, we give ourselves to you.

We ask you, Lord:
Make us one in our love;
Keep us one in your peace.

Protect our marriage.
Bless our home.
Make us gentle.
Keep us faithful.

And when life is over
Unite us again
Where parting is no more
In the kingdom of your love.

There we will praise you
In the happiness and peace of our eternal home.
Amen

Prayer for the Newly Married Couple and the whole community to which they belong, adapted from The Rite of Marriage (Veritas)

The peace of the Father be with you.
The peace of Christ be with you.
The peace of the Spirit be with you
Every day and every night. Amen.

May the Father protect you.
May Christ protect you.
May the Spirit protect you
Every day and night of your life. Amen.

The blessing of the Father come upon you.
The blessing of Christ come upon you.
The blessing of the Spirit come upon you.
Until you are crowned with eternal life. Amen.

May God prosper you
From Samhain to St Brigid’s Day to May Day,
From May Day to Lúnasa,
And from Lúnasa to Samhain,
And may almighty God bless you:
Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen.

May each be safe in the peace of Christ
Let us bless the Lord.