PSALM 1 - Tone 1

Blessed `is the man/ Who walks not in the counsel of `the ungodly,

Nor stands in the `path of sinners,/ Nor sits in the seat `of the scornful;

² But his delight is in the `law of the LORD,/ And in His law he medi`tates day and night.

³ He shall be like a tree Planted by the ri`vers of water,/ That brings forth its fruit `in its season,

Whose leaf also `shall not wither;/ And whatever he `does shall prosper.

⁴ The ungod`ly are not so,/ But are like the chaff which the `wind drives away.

⁵ Therefore the ungodly shall not stand `in the judgment,/ Nor sinners in the congregation `of the righteous.

⁶ For the LORD knows the way `of the righteous,/ But the way of the ungod`ly shall perish.

Glory be the Father `and to the Son,/ and to `the Holy Ghost,

As it was in the be`ginning, is now,/ and ever shall be, forever`more, Amen.

PSALM 23 - Tone 2

The LORD `is my shepherd;/ I `shall not want.

² He makes me to lie down `in green pastures;/ He leads me beside `the still waters.

³ He `restores my soul;/ He leads me in the paths of righteousness `For His name’s sake.

⁴ Yea, though I walk through the valley of the `shadow of death,/ I will `fear no evil;

For `You are with me;/ Your rod and Your staff, `they comfort me.

⁵ You prepare a table `before me/ in the presence of `my enemies;

You anoint `my head with oil;/ My `cup runs over.

⁶ Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me All the `days of my life;/ And I will dwell in the house of the `LORD Forever.

Glory be the Father `and to the Son,/ and to `the Holy Ghost,

As it was in the be`ginning, is now,/ and ever shall be, forever`more, Amen.

PSALM 27 - Tone 2

The LORD is my light and `my salvation;/ Whom `shall I fear?

The LORD is the `strength of my life;/ Of whom shall `I be afraid?

² When the wicked came against me To `eat up my flesh,/ My enemies and foes, They `stumbled and fell.

³ Though an army may en`camp against me,/ My `heart shall not fear;

Though war should `rise against me,/ In this I will `be confident.

⁴ One thing I have de`sired of the LORD,/ That `will I seek:

That I may dwell in the `house of the LORD/ All the `days of my life,

To behold the beau`ty of the LORD, And to inquire `in His temple.

⁵ For in the `time of trouble/ He shall hide me in `His pavilion;

In the secret place of His tabernacle `He shall hide me;/ He shall set me high `upon a rock.

⁶ And now my head shall `be lifted up/ above my enemies `all around me;

Therefore I will offer sacrifices of joy in His `tabernacle;/ I will sing, yes, I will sing prais`es to the LORD.

⁷ Hear, O LORD, when I `cry with my voice!/ Have mercy also upon me, `and answer me.

⁸ When You `said, Seek My face,/ My heart said to You, Your face, `LORD, I will seek.

⁹ Do not hide `Your face from me; Do not turn Your servant a`way in anger;

You `have been my help;/ Do not leave me nor forsake me, O God of `my salvation.

¹⁰ When my father and my mother `forsake me,/ Then the LORD will `take care of me.

¹¹ Teach me `Your way, O LORD,/ And lead me in a smooth path, because of `my enemies.

¹² Do not `deliver me/ to the will of my `adversaries;

For false witnesses have risen `against me,/ And such as breathe `out violence.

¹³ I would have lost heart, unless `I had believed/ That I would see the goodness of the LORD In the land `of the living.

¹⁴ Wait `on the LORD;/ Be `of good courage,

And He shall `strengthen your heart;/ Wait, I say, `on the LORD!

Glory be the Father `and to the Son,/ and to `the Holy Ghost,

As it was in the be`ginning, is now,/ and ever shall be, forever`more, Amen.

PSALM 67 - Tone 4

God be merciful to `us and bless us,/ And cause His face to `shine upon us.

² That Your way may `be known on earth,/ Your salvation a`mong all nations.

³ Let the peoples `praise You, O God;/ Let all the `peoples praise You.

⁴ Oh, let the `nations be glad/ and `sing for joy!

For You shall judge the peo`ple righteously,/ And govern the `nations on earth.

⁵ Let the peoples `praise You, O God;/ Let all the `peoples praise You.

⁶ Then the earth shall `yield her increase;/ God, our own `God, shall bless us.

⁷ God `shall bless us,/ And all the ends of the `earth shall fear Him.

Glory be the Father `and to the Son,/ and to `the Holy Ghost,

As it was in the be`ginning, is now,/ and ever shall be, forever`more, Amen.

PSALM 100 - Tone 4

Make a joyful `shout to the LORD,/ all `you lands!

² Serve the `LORD with gladness;/ Come before His pre`sence with singing.

³ Know that the `LORD, He is God;/ It is He who has made us, and `not we ourselves;

We `are His people/ and the sheep `of His pasture.

⁴ Enter into His gates `with thanksgiving,/ And into `His courts with praise.

Be `thankful to Him,/ and `bless His name.

⁵ For the LORD is good; His mercy is `everlasting,/ And His truth endures to all `generations.

Glory be the Father `and to the Son,/ and to `the Holy Ghost,

As it was in the be`ginning, is now,/ and ever shall be, forever`more, Amen.

PSALM 127 - Tone 1

Unless the `LORD builds the house,/ They labor in `vain who build it;

Unless the LORD `guards the city,/ The watchman stays `awake in vain.

² It is vain for you to `rise up early,/ To `sit up late,

To eat the `bread of sorrows;/ For so He gives His `beloved sleep.

³ Behold, children are a heritage `from the LORD,/ The fruit of the womb `is His reward.

⁴ Like arrows in the hand `of a warrior,/ So are the children `of one’s youth.

⁵ Happy is the man who has his quiv`er full of them;/ They shall not be ashamed, But shall speak with their ene`mies in the gate.

Glory be the Father `and to the Son,/ and to `the Holy Ghost,

As it was in the be`ginning, is now,/ and ever shall be, forever`more, Amen.

PSALM 128 - Tone 1

Blessed is every one `who fears the LORD,/ Who `walks in His ways.

² When you eat the labor of your hands, You `shall be happy,/ and it shall `be well with you.

³ Your wife shall be like a fruitful vine In the very `heart of your house,/ Your children like olive plants All a`round your table.

⁴ Behold, thus shall `the man be blessed/ Who `fears the LORD.

⁵ The LORD bless you `out of Zion,/ And may you see the good of Jerusalem All the `days of your life.

⁶ Yes, may you see your `children’s children./ Peace be up`on Israel!

Glory be the Father `and to the Son,/ and to `the Holy Ghost,

As it was in the be`ginning, is now,/ and ever shall be, forever`more, Amen.

Genesis 1:26-28

Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. Then God blessed them, and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over every living thing that moves on the earth.”

Genesis 2:4-9, 15-24

This is the history of the heavens and the earth when they were created, in the day that the LORD God made the earth and the heavens, before any plant of the field was in the earth and before any herb of the field had grown. For the LORD God had not caused it to rain on the earth, and there was no man to till the ground; but a mist went up from the earth and watered the whole face of the ground. And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being. The LORD God planted a garden eastward in Eden, and there He put the man whom He had formed. And out of the ground the LORD God made every tree grow that is pleasant to the sight and good for food. The tree of life was also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. … Then the LORD God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to tend and keep it. And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, “Of every tree of the garden you may freely eat; but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die.” And the LORD God said, “It is not good that man should be alone; I will make him a helper comparable to him.” Out of the ground the LORD God formed every beast of the field and every bird of the air, and brought them to Adam to see what he would call them. And whatever Adam called each living creature, that was its name. So Adam gave names to all cattle, to the birds of the air, and to every beast of the field. But for Adam there was not found a helper comparable to him. And the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall on Adam, and he slept; and He took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh in its place. Then the rib which the LORD God had taken from man He made into a woman, and He brought her to the man. And Adam said: “This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man.” Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.

Song of Songs 2:10-13, 8:6-7

My beloved spoke, and said to me: “Rise up, my love, my fair one, and come away. For lo, the winter is past, the rain is over and gone. The flowers appear on the earth; the time of singing has come, and the voice of the turtledove is heard in our land. The fig tree puts forth her green figs, and the vines with the tender grapes give a good smell. rise up, my love, my fair one, and come away!” … “Set me as a seal upon your heart, as a seal upon your arm; for love is as strong as death, jealousy as cruel as the grave; its flames are flames of fire, a most vehement flame. Many waters cannot quench love, nor can the floods drown it. If a man would give for love all the wealth of his house, it would be utterly despised.”

1 Corinthians 13:1-13

Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become as sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing. Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails. But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part. But when that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away. When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things. For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known. And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.

Ephesians 3:14-19

For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man, that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height-- to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.

Ephesians 5:1-2, 21-33

Therefore be followers of God as dear children. And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma. … Submit to one another in the fear of God. Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. For the husband is head of the wife, as also Christ is head of the church; and He is the Savior of the body. Therefore, just as the church is subject to Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in everything. Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for it, that He might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, that He might present it to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that it should be holy and without blemish. So husbands ought to love their own wives as their own bodies; he who loves his wife loves himself. For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as the Lord does the church. For we are members of His body, of His flesh and of His bones. “For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.” This is a great mystery, but I speak concerning Christ and the church. Nevertheless let each one of you in particular so love his own wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband.

Colossians 3:12-17

Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do. But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection. And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.

1 John 4:7-16

Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. He who does not love does not know God, for God is love. In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him. In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has seen God at any time. If we love one another, God abides in us, and His love has been perfected in us. By this we know that we abide in Him, and He in us, because He has given us of His Spirit. And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent the Son as Savior of the world. Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God. And we have known and believed the love that God has for us. God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him.

Matthew 19:4-6

And He answered and said to them, “Have you not read that He who made them at the beginning ‘made them male and female,’” and said, ‘For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh’? So then, they are no longer two but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate.”

Matthew 5:1-10

And seeing the multitudes, He went up on a mountain, and when He was seated His disciples came to Him. Then He opened His mouth and taught them, saying: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled. Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”

Matthew 5:13-16

“You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled under foot by men. You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.”

Matthew 7:21, 24-29

“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. … Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock: and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock. Now everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand: and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell. And great was its fall.” And so it was, when Jesus had ended these sayings, that the people were astonished at His teaching, for He taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.

Mark 10:6-9, 13-16

“But from the beginning of the creation, God ‘made them male and female. For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh’; so then they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate.” … Then they brought young children to Him, that He might touch them; but the disciples rebuked those who brought them. But when Jesus saw it, He was greatly displeased and said to them, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of God. Assuredly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it.” And He took them up in His arms, put His hands on them, and blessed them.

John 15:9-12

“As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love. If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father's commandments and abide in His love. These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full. This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.”

The Homily and/or the Exhortation

Dear friends in Christ, __________ and ___________! Almighty God has created marriage for the preservation of the human family, and for the mutual help of those who enter into this holy union, to lighten the burdens of life, to alleviate its unavoidable cares, and by careful nurture to provide for the happiness of children.

____________, it is your duty to love and honor your wife, and by daily consideration for her welfare always to seek to deepen her love for you.

___________, it is your duty to love your husband, share with him faithfully all the cares of the household, and at all times to conduct yourself as his helpmeet and friend.

You should both remember that you have freely entered into a marriage in which your mutual happiness depends upon your faithfulness to your marriage vows. You should strive to make yourselves worthy of mutual love and esteem, and always set a good example of godly living for each other, for your children, and for your neighbors.

Forgive one another as you have been forgiven by Christ. Remember that you have been joined together by God, that you are no longer two but one flesh. Remember that you are one with Christ in Holy Baptism and in the Sacrament of the Altar, and be faithful to your high calling as Christian husband and Christian wife. May God the Holy Spirit richly bless your union, and keep you steadfast in the Christian faith so that you may join the whole Church as the bride of Christ at the marriage feast of the Lamb of God, Jesus Christ, our Redeemer and our heavenly Bridegroom.

The Declaration of Intent (The bride and groom approach the altar for the marriage rite)

_________, do you take _________ to be your wife in Christian Marriage, and forsaking all others, to love her and care for her so long as you both shall live? I do.

_________, do you take _________ to be your husband in Christian Marriage, and forsaking all others, to love him and care for him as long as you both shall live? I do.

~The Marriage Candle

The two lighted candles represent the light of faith which God the Holy Spirit has planted in your hearts through Baptism. As you light your marriage candle you proclaim your faith in Jesus Christ our Savior who is the Light of the world and of your marriage.

O Lord Jesus Christ, Bright Sun of the world: Shine upon our hearts and drive away the night of sin, that we may walk in Your holy light through our lives and forevermore. Amen.

~The Exchange of Rings

Exchange rings as a pledge and token of wedded love and faithfulness.

Receive this ring as a symbol of the love I have for you, and as a sign of the everlasting love that God has for us in Christ Jesus. In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.

The Vows

I, __________, take you __________, to be my wife, and I pledge to be faithful to you in every duty, not to part from you until death parts us.

I, __________, take you __________, to be my husband, and I pledge to be faithful to you in every duty, not to part from you until death parts us.

In the name of God, I _____, take you, ______ to be my wife, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, until death parts us.

In the name of God, I ______, take you, ______ to be my husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, until death parts us.

The Pronouncement of Marriage

What God has brought together let no one separate. Since __________ and __________ have entered into the holy estate of matrimony in the presence of God and these witnesses I pronounce them husband and wife, in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

The Kyrie, Collect, and Lord’s Prayer (The bride and groom may kneel)

Lord have mercy upon us. Christ have mercy upon us. Lord have mercy upon us.

O God the Father, our Helper and our Comforter in time and for eternity: Look upon Your servants who according to Your institution have entered into the covenant of wedded love and faithfulness. Bless them and guide them by Your Holy Spirit that in all things Your good and gracious will may be done in them.

May the word of Christ dwell in them richly. Make their homes and hearts Your dwelling. Unite their souls in Christ Jesus that they may know true love. Bless them in each other, and give them patience and meekness to bear with one another in their infirmities. Prosper the work of their hands, and crown their lives with Your lovingkindness and tender mercies. Let even their afflictions and sorrows yield them the peace of Your righteousness, which passes all understanding, and teach them, in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving to make their requests known to You.

When they have finished their faithful pilgrimage on earth, give them an eternal home with You in heavenly joy, for the sake of Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, the Bridegroom of our souls. Amen.

Our Father...

The Marriage Blessing

May Almighty God, who in the beginning created our first parents Adam and Eve, and joined them together in holy marriage, pour upon you the riches of His grace, keep you steadfast in the faith, and bless you, that you may please Him both in body and soul, and live together in holy love until the end of your lives. Amen.

~The Canticle or Hymn of Praise (The bride and groom may stand)