< Wedding Rite for Jessica May Hogarth and Alexander Gillis Murray

Wedding customary

From: "Julianne Ture" <jture@hotmail.com>
To: davidh@MIT.EDU
Subject: wedding customary
Date: Sun, 07 Feb 1999 12:09:56 PST

Here's my recollection of the choreography we discussed this morning, with expansions.
PRELUDE: Prilude et Fugue sur le nom d'Alain
Maurice Durufli (1902-1986)
My Shepherd will supply my need
Virgil Thomson (1896-1989)
Motet: Nigra Sum Tomas Luis de Victoria
(1548-1611)
PROCESSIONAL: Toccata and Trio for Organ
Music of the Mass - Missa Octavi Toni - Lassus
Set me as a seal upon thine heart ... William Walton;
O sacrum convivium ... Olivier Messiaen


Entrance: Choir, clergy & servers enter in the usual manner (north door, regular Sunday entrance procession). All line up in their accustomed places; Deacon places Gospel Book on altar and returns to his place; MC cues genuflection; Acolytes and Thurifer retire to sedilia. SMs walk back down to top of choir steps [we may want to reconsider this bit] to await the wedding party.

Next, groom and groomsmen take places at foot of steps (they can either process down the centre aisle, or enter from the north door and simply walk across the transept; my recollection is that it is normally the latter). The organ strikes up the bridal fanfare; the Father Of The Bride exits via Lady Chapel to library to escort her. :-)

When all are assembled [alternative to above: SMs could wait at foot of altar steps until this point and then come down to the choir steps], the Celebrant begins the exhortation:
At the time appointed, the persons to be married, with their witnesses, assemble in the church or some other appropriate place. During their entrance, a hymn, psalm, or anthem may be sung, or instrumental music may be played. Then the Celebrant, facing the people and the persons to be married, with the woman to the right and the man to the left, addresses the congregation and says

Fr. Martin: Dearly beloved: We have come together in the presence of God to witness and bless the joining together of this man and this woman in Holy Matrimony. The bond and covenant of marriage was established by God in creation, and our Lord Jesus Christ adorned this manner of life by his presence and first miracle at a wedding in Cana of Galilee. It signifies to us the mystery of the union between Christ and his Church, and Holy Scripture commends it to be honored among all people.

The union of husband and wife in heart, body, and mind is intended by God for their mutual joy; for the help and comfort given one another in prosperity and adversity; and, when it is God's will, for the procreation of children and their nurture in the knowledge and love of the Lord. Therefore marriage is not to be entered into unadvisedly or lightly, but reverently, deliberately, and in accordance with the purposes for which it was instituted by God.
Into this holy union Alexander Gillis Murray and Jessica May Hogarth now come to be joined. If any of you can show just cause why they may not lawfully be married, speak now; or else for ever hold your peace.
Then the Officiant says to the persons to be married:
I require and charge you both, here in the presence of God, that if either of you know any reason why you may not be united in marriage lawfully, and in accordance with God's Word, you do now confess it.


The Deacon surrenders the bride to her groom and rejoins the Celebrant and Subdeacon.
The Celebrant asks:
Who gives this woman to be married to this man?
The Father of the Woman answers,
I do.


The Declaration of Consent
The Officiant says to the woman
Jessica May, will you have this man to be your husband; to live together in the covenant of marriage? Will you love him, comfort him, honor and keep him, in sickness and in health; and, forsaking all others, be faithful to him as long as you both shall live?
The Woman answers
I will.
The Officiant says to the man
Alexander Gillis, will you have this woman to be your wife; to live together in the covenant of marriage? Will you love her, comfort her, honor and keep her, in sickness and in health; and, forsaking all others, be faithful to her as long as you both shall live?
The Man answers
I will.

For the Ministry of the Word it is fitting that the man and woman to be married remain where they may conveniently hear the reading of Scripture. They may approach the Altar, either for the exchange of vows, or for the Blessing of the Marriage. It is appropriate that all remain standing until the conclusion of the Collect. Seating may be provided for the wedding party, so that all may be seated for the Lessons and the homily. The Apostles' Creed may be recited after the Lessons, or after the homily, if there is one.

KYRIE: Paschal Kyrie Prayer Book, page 324
Kyrie Eleison Lord, Have mercy upon us
Kyrie Eleison Lord, Have mercy upon us
Kyrie Eleison Lord, Have mercy upon us
Christe Eleison Christ, Have mercy upon us
Christe Eleison Christ, Have mercy upon us
Christe Eleison Christ, Have mercy upon us

Kyrie Eleison Lord, Have mercy upon us
Kyrie Eleison Lord, Have mercy upon us
Kyrie Eleison Lord, Have mercy upon us

GLORIA IN EXCELSIS

THE COLLECT Prayer Book, page 425
O Eternal God, we humbly beseech the, favourably to behold these thy servants about to be joined in wedlock according to thy holy ordinance; and grant that they, seeking first thy kingdom and thy righteousness, may obtain the manifold blessings of thy grace; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who livest and reignest with thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost. Amen


THE LITURGY OF THE WORD

THE OLD TESTAMENT:

Song of Solomon
2:10 My beloved spake, and said unto me,
Rise up, my love, my fair one, and come away.
11 For, lo, the winter is past, the rain is over [and] gone;
12 The flowers appear on the earth; the time of the singing [of birds] is come,
and the voice of the turtle is heard in our land;
13 The fig tree putteth forth her green figs,
and the vines [with] the tender grape give a [good] smell.
Arise, my love, my fair one, and come away.
8:6 Set me as a seal upon thine heart, as a seal upon thine arm:
for love [is] strong as death;
jealousy [is] cruel as the grave:
the coals thereof [are] coals of fire, [which hath a] most vehement flame.
7 Many waters cannot quench love, neither can the floods drown it:
if [a] man would give all the substance of his house for love,
it would utterly be contemned.

Psalm 67
- To the chief Musician on Neginoth, A Psalm [or] Song
1 God be merciful unto us, and bless us; [and] cause his face to shine upon us;
Selah.
2 That thy way may be known upon earth, thy saving health among all nations.
3 Let the people praise thee, O God; let all the people praise thee.
4 O let the nations be glad and sing for joy: for thou shalt judge the people righteously, and govern the nations upon earth.
Selah.
5 Let the people praise thee, O God; let all the people praise thee.
6 [Then] shall the earth yield her increase; [and] God, [even] our own God, shall bless us.
7 God shall bless us; and all the ends of the earth shall fear him.

THE EPISTLE:
Colossians 3
12 Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;
13 Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also [do] ye.
14 And above all these things [put on] charity, which is the bond of perfectness.
15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.
16 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.
17 And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, [do] all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.

The Gradual:

THE HOLY GOSPEL:
Matthew 5
1 And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain: and when he was set, his disciples came unto him:
2 And he opened his mouth, and taught them, saying,
3 Blessed [are] the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4 Blessed [are] they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.
5 Blessed [are] the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.
6 Blessed [are] they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.
7 Blessed [are] the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.
8 Blessed [are] the pure in heart: for they shall see God.
9 Blessed [are] the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.
10 Blessed [are] they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11 Blessed are ye, when [men] shall revile you, and persecute [you], and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.
12 Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great [is] your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.

HOMILY Dn. Hogarth

The Lessons are read in the customary manner, with Gospel Procession et al. A Homily follows the Gospel. After the homily, the wedding party ascends to the altar rail for the

Marriage Rite
.
EXCHANGE OF VOWS Prayer Book, page 427
The Man, facing the woman and taking her right hand in his, says
In the Name of God, I, Alexander Gillis, take you, Jessica May, 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 we are parted by death. This is my solemn vow.

Then they loose their hands, and the Woman, still facing the man, takes his right hand in hers, and says
In the Name of God, I, Jessica May, take you, Alexander Gillis, 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 we are parted by death. This is my solemn vow.

They loose their hands.

BLESSING AND GIVING OF RINGS Prayer Book, page 427
The Priest asks God's blessing on the rings as follows
Bless, O Lord, these rings to be a sign of the vows by which this man and this woman have bound themselves to each other; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

The groom places the ring on the ring-finger of the bride's hand and says
Jessica, I give you this ring as a symbol of my vow, and with all that I am, and all that I have, I honor you, in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.

The bride places the ring on the ring-finger of the groom's hand and says
Alexander, I give you this ring as a symbol of my vow, and with all that I am, and all that I have, I honor you, in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.

Then the Officiant joins the right hands of husband and wife and says
Now that Alexander and Jessica have given themselves to each other by solemn vows, with the joining of hands and the giving and receiving of a ring, I pronounce that they are husband and wife, in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.

Those whom God has joined together let no one put asunder.

People Amen.

PRAYERS Prayer Book, page 428
The Deacon reads the following prayers, to which the People respond, saying, Amen.
Let us pray.
Eternal God, creator and preserver of all life, author of salvation, and giver of all grace: Look with favor upon the world you have made, and for which your Son gave his life, and especially upon this man and this woman whom you make one flesh in Holy Matrimony. Amen.
Give them wisdom and devotion in the ordering of their common life, that each may be to the other a strength in need, a counselor in perplexity, a comfort in sorrow, and a companion in joy. Amen.
Grant that their wills may be so knit together in your will, and their spirits in your Spirit, that they may grow in love and peace with you and one another all the days of their life. Amen.
Give them grace, when they hurt each other, to recognize and acknowledge their fault, and to seek each other's forgiveness and yours. Amen.
Make their life together a sign of Christ's love to this sinful and broken world, that unity may overcome estrangement, forgiveness heal guilt, and joy conquer despair. Amen.
Bestow on them, if it is your will, the gift and heritage of children, and the grace to bring them up to know you, to love you, and to serve you. Amen.
Give them such fulfillment of their mutual affection that they may reach out in love and concern for others. Amen.

Grant that all married persons who have witnessed these vows may find their lives strengthened and their loyalties confirmed. Amen.
Grant that the bonds of our common humanity, by which all your children are united one to another, and the living to the dead, may be so transformed by your grace, that your will may be done on earth as it is in heaven; where, O Father, with your Son, and the Holy Spirit, you live and reign in perfect unity, now and for ever. Amen


The Blessing of the Marriage

The people remain standing. The husband and wife kneel, and the Priest says the following prayer:
O God, you have so consecrated the covenant of marriage that in it is represented the spiritual unity between Christ and his Church: Send therefore your blessing upon these your servants, that they may so love, honor, and cherish each other in faithfulness and patience, in wisdom and true godliness, that their home may be a haven of blessing and peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Ghost, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

The husband and wife still kneeling, the Priest adds this blessing
God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Ghost, bless, preserve, and keep you; the Lord mercifully with his favor look upon you, and fill you with all spiritual benediction and grace; that you may faithfully live together in this life, and in the age to come have life everlasting. Amen.

The Peace

The Celebrant says to the people
The peace of the Lord be always with you.
People
And with thy spirit.
The newly married couple then greet each other, after which greetings may be exchanged throughout the congregation.


ANTHEM:

THE LITURGY OF THE EUCHARIST

OFFERTORY HYMN 704: O thou who camest from above Hereford
The Offertory Procession is according to custom; the mothers of the bride and groom bring up the bread and wine.
SURSUM CORDA Prayer Book, page 333
PROPER PREFACE Prayer Book, page 349
MUSIC OF THE MASS: Missa Octavi Toni - Lassus
SANCTUS AND BENEDICTUS Prayer Book, page 333
The Canon is as usual. The bride and groom should be censed after the Sacred Ministers and before anyone else. They should also receive before anyone else, after the Sacred Ministers make their Communion.
PRAYER OF CONSECRATION Prayer Book, page 334
THE LORD'S PRAYER Hymnal, S-119
THE FRACTION
AGNUS DEI
Prayer Book, page 337
HYMN 339: Deck thyself, my soul, with gladness Schm|cke dich

THE COMMUNION

THE COMMUNION -
All Christians baptized in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost are welcome to receive the sacrament of the Body and Blood of Christ
POST-COMMUNION PRAYER
Prayer Book, page 432
THE BLESSING Prayer Book, page 431
DISMISSAL Prayer Book, page 339
Depart in peace; Alleluia, Alleluia
Thanks be to God; Alleluia, Alleluia

POSTLUDE: Prelude and Fugue in C Major, BWV 547
Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750)



The appointed Post-Communion Prayer "O God, the giver of all that is true and lovely and gracious..." is used, and as noted above I think it would be appropriate to have the Blessing of the Marriage here in place of the normal blessing at the end of the Mass.

After the Dismissal, all genuflect and turn as usual. At this point it has been our custom to let the bride and groom process out in triumph while the altar party exits quietly and (more or less) unobtrusively via the Smoke Sacristy.

So there you have it; this is at least a framework which we can flesh out. I will also try to find a copy of the Yost wedding program, which would be a useful reference.



Last Updated 11 March 1999


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