After we are officially married, this official church blessing will be read over us, encouraging the community of friends and family to pray for us and participate in our marriage, as well as asking God for several blessings for our married lives together.
I think it is probably one of the most beautiful scriptural passages I have ever read (and I've taken classes on the Bible as literature and poetry). It traces the life of the couple from that moment, when they have just been married, their lives of married bliss, their time as parents, as grandparents, and finally to be joined together forever in heaven. It honestly, takes my breath away and so I wanted to share it with you all.
Father, by your power you have made everything out of
nothing. In the beginning you created the universe and
made mankind in your 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.
Father you have made the union of man and wife so holy a
mystery that is symbolizes the marriage of Christ and his
Church.
Father, by your plan man and woman are united, and
married life has been established as the one blessing that
was not forfeited by original sin or washed away in the
flood.
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 recognize 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
bride, the Church.
Father, 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. Bless them
with children and help them to be good parents. May they
live to see their children's children.
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.
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