Baptism

The Sacrament of Baptism
We would like to congratulate you on the birth of your child. We also want to welcome this new born child into our Parish Community. Your child’s Baptism will be a special moment for you and your family. It will also be a special moment for our parish as we welcome your child into the Christian Community.

baptism
Celebrating the Gift Of Baptism

Baptism is the most wonderful gift that you can give a child.  To enable parents to appreciate more fully the gift they ask of God, through the Church, for their child we have introduced a Baptismal Programme.

Baptisms take place in Long Tower on Saturdays at 3.30pm. The number of baptisms that take place on any Saturday is limited to four.

Please contact the Parish Office to arrange a Baptism.

Confirmation

oil of chrismConfirmation in the faith

Confirmation celebrates the coming of the Holy Spirit.

We become members of God’s family at Baptism.  At Confirmation, our Baptism is completed or “sealed” by the Holy Spirit and we are called to be Christian witnesses, just like the apostles. The whole of our Christian living and the life of the Church, too, are sustained by the same Spirit.

Who Can Receive?

Any baptised Catholic wishing to advance on the path of developing their faith. For young people, this is usually part of the 5th/6th class primary school programme.

For adults who were not confirmed as children, it means taking part in the Rite of the Christian Initiation of Adults (R.C.I.A.)

Sponsor

A sponsor stands behind the candidate for Confirmation at the Confirmation ceremony and places their hand on the shoulder of the candidate as a sign that they will support them in living out their baptismal promises. However, the role of the sponsor is not just for one day. The sponsor undertakes to assist the confirmed person in growing in the fullness of their faith and in their membership of the Catholic Church.

A person qualifies as a sponsor by being a reasonably mature adult, who is at least 16 years old, and has already received the Sacraments of Initiation, (Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist) themselves. The Confirmation sponsor may be one of the people who was a sponsor at Baptism (subject to the notes here).

Choosing a sponsor

(Ref. Code of Canon Law §874) To be admitted to undertake the office of sponsor, a person must:

  • be appointed by the candidate, or by the parents or whoever stands in their place, or failing these, by the parish priest or the minister; to be appointed the person must be suitable for this role and have the intention of fulfilling it;
  • be not less than sixteen years of age, unless a different age has been stipulated by the diocesan Bishop, or unless the parish priest or the minister considers that there is a just reason for an exception to be made;
  • be a Catholic who has been confirmed and has received the blessed Eucharist, and who lives a life of faith which befits the role to be undertaken;
  • not labor under a canonical penalty, whether imposed or declared;
  • not be either the father or the mother of the candidate.

Name

The tradition of taking a new name at Confirmation emphasises the new identity of a Christian being called to witness to their faith. People are encouraged to take the name of a saint or a person from the Bible who inspires them in some way.

Oil

The oil used is called the Oil of Chrism. It is olive oil mixed with balsam that is blessed by the bishop and priests of the diocese in the Cathedral at the ‘Chrism Mass’ on Holy Thursday. The Sacrament is conferred with the anointing with this ‘Oil of Chrism’ on the forehead as the Bishop says ‘Be sealed with the gifts of the Holy Spirit’.

First Communion

Preparation for First Holy Communion

Gifts Top

Children prepare to receive First Communion in Primary Four. This is an important step in your child’s journey of faith, it is also an important year for their class, their teachers, and also for you the parents/guardians. It is also a special time too for the Long Tower Parish community. Along with the Sacrament of Baptism, First Holy Communion is one of our three sacraments of initiation. It is through these sacraments of initiation that we become full members of the Church.

Parents

Ideally the best preparation for the Eucharist is taking your child to Mass regularly and helping your child understand what it is all about. As part of our preparation for First Penance and First Holy Communion, we run in tandem with the local primary schools, a parish based programme, ‘Do This in Memory’. This programme is a continuous programme, connecting the classroom with the home and the parish.

Funerals

candles

‘Do not let your hearts be troubled,
Trust in God still, and trust in me.
There are many rooms in my Father’s house;
If there were not I should have told you,
And after I have gone and prepared you a place,
I shall return to take you with me;
So that where I am you may be too.’

John 14:1

 

IN GOD’S LOVING HANDS
The death of someone we love can be one of the most
traumatic experiences of our lives. Our world is turned
upside down. We are plunged into a time of great pain and
confusion, sadness and loss. You may have been waiting for
weeks or months, expecting it. Or it may have been totally
unexpected, even tragic. You may be overwhelmed with all
kinds of feelings: shock, despair, regret, even anger. You may
feel lost, alone, isolated. You may even feel that God has
abandoned you. You may have trusted in God and now your
faith seems empty. You may find it very difficult to cope and
face the days and weeks ahead.

Our faith in Jesus Christ can provide solace and strength. This time offers an opportunity to
encounter God in a new way and to deepen our belief in God’s love for us and for our loved
one. It is time for us to support and console one another, especially in our belief in the promise
and gift of eternal life. When we, as Christians, encounter death we are drawn to prayer,
praying for those who have died and those who loved them. Catholic funerals express the
Christian’s union in Christ’s death and our hope to share in his resurrection. It’s most fitting
that the life of grace inaugurated for the deceased’s soul that began in a church at baptism is
returned to God in thanksgiving at the Mass.

The Requiem Mass is not a ‘service’. Every Mass is the sacrifice of the body and blood of
Jesus Christ on Calvary, really present on the altar under the appearance of bread and wine
and offered to God for the living and the dead. In the Funeral Mass, we offer worship, praise
and thanksgiving to God for the gift of a precious life, which has now been returned to God,
the author of life. We commend the soul of our loved one to the purifying mercy and healing
love of the risen Lord and pray for their eternal happiness. We also pray for all those who
grieve, that they may experience hope, consolation and peace. The Rites begin with the
prayers at the vigil or wake, then continue at the Mass of Christian Burial (the Requiem Mass)
and conclude at the committal, the burial.

There are times that a funeral Mass might not be chosen. Perhaps our loved one had been
separated from the Church for a long time and a funeral Mass wouldn’t seem the most
appropriate.

To express our love for the deceased it is recommended that, if a funeral Mass is not chosen,
a funeral Liturgy of the Word and final commendation of the deceased is celebrated. This
doesn’t need to be celebrated in the church itself, and the church is perhaps not the most
appropriate setting at times. A funeral Service outside of Mass may be conducted at the
funeral home, in a chapel at the cemetery or even at the graveside.

This book will be a little help in taking you through the Funeral Liturgy and helping you to
plan it. If you do not feel up to planning the details of the liturgy yourself, your priest will be
happy to do it for you.

 

WHO TAKES PART IN THE FUNERAL MASS?
The Funeral Mass provides an opportunity for the family and friends of the deceased to
participate in the Mass, if you wish. If someone does wish to take part, it is done at the
following times during the Mass:

LITURGY OF THE WORD
Usually, 2 readers are needed to proclaim
or read the Word of God.

The Word of God is read at the Ambo which is
usually located to the left of the altar. You will find a
selection of suitable scripture readings in this booklet.
Take your time to read through them. Each one has
something to say to us about the experience of death
and the hope offered by our Christian faith.

1 person reads the First Reading

The Psalm comes after the first reading and is usually sung.

1 person reads the Second Reading

The Alleluia verse comes after the second reading (except during Lent
when another Gospel Acclamation is used) and is usually sung.

Points to remember when reading:
Always read slowly and distinctly.
At the beginning of the reading, say: “A reading from…” and pause for three seconds
before continuing.
At the end of the reading pause for three seconds before saying: “The Word of the
Lord”.

Those who are reading are asked to proceed from their seats to stand together at the bottom step of the
sanctuary. They then bow together and turning to their left, proceed in single file to the side of the
sanctuary, keeping to the floor. The first reader ascends the steps to the ambo where the Word of God is
proclaimed, while the second reader waits at the bottom step. Once the first reader has read the first
reading, he/she stands with the second reader at the bottom until the soloist is finished singing the psalm.
Then the second reader ascends the steps to the ambo to read. At the end of the readings, the two readers
return to the bottom step of the sanctuary, bow together towards the altar and return to their seats.

 

The Gospel is read by the priest.
HOMILY
The Priest will usually give a homily after the Gospel which usually offers support to those
who mourn in the light of Christian teaching and proclaiming our hope in the Risen Christ.
You may provide your priest with some details about the life and personality of your deceased
loved one that will help him in preparing the funeral homily. The priest may also speak about
how God was active in the life of the deceased.

Should a family member wish to speak about the deceased, read a poem or offer
a reflection, this can be done either before the Mass begins or at the graveside.

 

PRAYERS OF THE FAITHFUL
The prayers of the faithful are read by 2 people. These prayers are located on the last
page of this booklet. Those reading the Prayers of the Faithful are asked to proceed from their
seats to the bottom step of the sanctuary, bow together and proceed to the left of the sanctuary,
keeping to the floor and stand at the bottom step near the ambo. The first reader ascends the
steps and begins reading the prayers while the second reader remains at the bottom step. Once
the prayers have been completed, both readers return to the bottom of the sanctuary, bow
together towards the altar and return to their seats.

Please give some thought in choosing those you would like to take part. It is best to choose someone to read who
has experience speaking in front of many people and who will proclaim the Word of God clearly and audibly.
Please provide the priest with the names of those reading and carrying forward the gifts so that he can invite
them by name at the appropriate time during the Mass.

 

LITURGY OF THE EUCHARIST
OFFERTORY PROCESSION
The gifts of bread and wine are brought to the altar in
procession by 2 people.

The sacristan will leave the bread and wine on a table located in the middle aisle. The priest
will usually invite those taking up the gifts by name. They should proceed from their seats to
the table and then, carefully holding each gift, walk slowly together towards the altar, side by
side. The priest will receive each gift at the bottom step of the sanctuary. Once the priest has
received the gifts, all bow together and return to their seats.

It is more appropriate that personal memorabilia; a photograph or symbols of the life of the deceased are brought
to the altar at the same time as the deceased is carried into the church before the Mass begins. A table can be
provided near the coffin upon which these items may be placed.

 

MUSIC AT THE FUNERAL MASS
The undertaker can provide you with details of soloists/musicians
who are experienced at singing at a Funeral Mass. They will help
you choose hymns for the Mass. Hymns and other sacred music
at funerals express our strong belief in the resurrection, which is
the basis of our Christian hope. Typically, hymns are sung at the
following times during the Mass:
1. The Entrance Hymn – as you enter the church.
2. The Psalm is sung after the first reading.
3. The Alleluia verse is sung after the second reading (except in Lent).
4. During the Offertory as the gifts of bread and wine are brought to the altar.
5. During the distribution of Holy Communion. Usually there is time for 2 hymns.
6. Recessional Hymn – as you leave the church.
It is important to remember that the Funeral Mass is a sacred ceremony and
therefore non-liturgical ‘songs’ are not appropriate. There is an opportunity at
the graveside to play favourite secular songs, if you wish.

 

USE OF CHRISTIAN SYMBOLS
The Paschal Candle is placed close to the coffin when it
is received at the church. It reminds us of Christ’s presence
among us and of his victory over death, a victory which we
share through our baptism.

Holy Water is used to sprinkle the coffin when it is received
at the church, during the final commendation at the end of
the funeral Mass and at the time of committal or burial. The
holy water reminds us of our baptism and the baptism of our
deceased loved one.

A pall (pronounced ‘paul’) may be placed on the coffin when it
is placed before the altar in the church. The pall is a large white
cloth that covers the coffin during the funeral liturgy. It is a
reminder of the white robe that is put on the newly baptised to
symbolize his or her new life in Christ. It is also a reminder that
all are equal in the eyes of God.

Incense is used to honour the body of the deceased, who
through baptism became a living temple of God’s presence. It
is also a sign of the community’s prayers for the deceased rising
to heaven, and a sign of farewell.

First Readings (choose one)

Option 1

First Readings (choose one)

A reading from the book of Wisdom (3:1–9)
The souls of the virtuous are in the hands of God,
no torment shall ever touch them.
In the eyes of the unwise, they did appear to die,
their going looked like a disaster,
their leaving us, like annihilation;
but they are in peace.
If they experienced punishment as men see it,
their hope was rich with immortality;
slight was their affliction, great will their blessings be.
God has put them to the test
and proved them worthy to be with him;
he has tested them like gold in a furnace,
and accepted them as a holocaust.
When the time comes for his visitation they will shine out;
as sparks run through the stubble, so will they.
They shall judge nations, rule over peoples,
and the Lord will be their king for ever.
They who trust in him will understand the truth,
those who are faithful will live with him in love;
for grace and mercy await those he has chosen.

The Word of the Lord

Option 2

A reading from the prophet Isaiah (25:6–9)
On this mountain,
the Lord of hosts will prepare for all peoples
a banquet of rich food.
On this mountain
he will remove the mourning veil
covering all peoples,
and the shroud enwrapping all nations,
he will destroy Death for ever.
The Lord will wipe away the tears from every cheek;
he will take away his people’s shame
everywhere on earth,
for the Lord has said so.
That day, it will be said: See, this is our God
in whom we hoped for salvation;
the Lord is the one in whom we hoped.
We exult and we rejoice
that he has saved us
The Word of the Lord

Option 3

A reading from the Book of the Prophet Isaiah (49:13-16a)
Sing out, O heavens, and rejoice,
O earth, break forth into song, you mountains.
For the Lord comforts his people
and shows mercy to his afflicted.
But Zion said, “The Lord has forsaken me;
my Lord has forgotten me.”
Can a mother forget her infant,
be without tenderness for the child of her womb?
Even should she forget,
I will never forget you.
See, upon the palms of my hands I have written your name.
The Word of the Lord

Option 4

A reading from the book of Wisdom (4:7–15)
The virtuous One, though they die before their time, will find rest.
Length of days is not what makes age honourable,
nor number of years the true measure of life;
understanding, this is One’s grey hairs,
untarnished life, this is ripe old age.
They have sought to please God, so God has loved them;
as they were living among sinners, they have been taken up.
They have been been carried off
so that evil may not warp their understanding
or treachery seduce their souls;
for the fascination of evil throws good things into the shade,
and the whirlwind of desire corrupts a simple heart.
Coming to perfection in so short a while, they achieved long life;
their souls being pleasing to the Lord,
he has taken them quickly from the wickedness around them.
Yet people look on, uncomprehending;
it does not enter their heads
that grace and mercy await the chosen of the Lord,
and protection, his holy ones.
The Word of the Lord

Option 5

A reading from the Book of Lamentations (3:17-26)
My soul is deprived of peace,
I have forgotten what happiness is;
I tell myself my future is lost,
all that I hoped for from the Lord.
The thought of my homeless poverty
is wormwood and gall;
Remembering it over and over
leaves my soul downcast within me.
But I will call this to mind,
as my reason to have hope:
The favors of the Lord are not exhausted,
his mercies are not spent;
They are renewed each morning,
so great is his faithfulness.
My portion is the Lord, says my soul;
therefore will I hope in him.
Good is the Lord to one who waits for him,
to the soul that seeks him;
It is good to hope in silence
for the saving help of the Lord.
The Word of the Lord

Option 6

A reading from the Book of Revelation (21:1-5a, 6b-7)
I, John, saw a new heaven and a new earth.
The former heaven and the former earth had passed away,
and the sea was no more.
I also saw the holy city, a new Jerusalem,
coming down out of heaven from God,
prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.
I heard a loud voice from the throne saying,
“Behold, God’s dwelling is with the human race.
He will dwell with them and they will be his people
and God himself will always be with them as their God.
He will wipe every tear from their eyes,
and there shall be no more death or mourning, wailing or pain,
for the old order has passed away.”
The One who sat on the throne said,
“Behold, I make all things new.”
I am the Alpha and the Omega,
the beginning and the end.
To the thirsty I will give a gift
from the spring of life-giving water.
The victor will inherit these gifts,
and I shall be his God,
and he will be my son.”
The Word of the Lord

Option 7

A Reading from the Book of Ecclesiastes (3:1-8)
There is a season for everything,
a time for every occupation under heaven,
a time for giving birth, a time for dying;
a time for planting,
a time for uprooting what has been planted.
A time for killing,
a time for healing;
a time for knocking down,
a time for building.
A time for tears, a time for laughter;
a time for mourning, a time for dancing.
A time for throwing stones away,
a time for gathering them up;
a time for embracing,
a time to refrain from embracing.
A time for searching,
a time for losing;
a time for keeping, a time for throwing away.
A time for tearing, a time for sewing;
a time for keeping silent, a time for speaking.
A time for loving and a time for peace.
The Word of the Lord

Option 8

A reading from the Book of Proverbs
Let kindness and loyalty never leave you;
wear them around your neck, write them on your heart.
Trust in God, put no faith in your own perception;
in every course you take, have God in your mind.
Happy the person who discovers such wisdom,
because wisdom is beyond the price of pearls,
nothing you could wish for is her equal.
Her ways are delightful ways, her paths all lead to contentment.
She is a tree of life for those who hold her fast,
those who cling to her live happy lives.
The Word of the Lord

Second Readings (Choose One)

Option 1

A reading from the book of Revelation (14:13)
I, John, heard a voice from heaven say to me,
‘Write down: Happy are those who die in the Lord!
Happy indeed, the Spirit says;
now they can rest for ever after their work,
since their good deeds go with them.’
The Word of the Lord

Option 2

A reading from the letter of St Paul to the Romans 6:3-9

When we were baptised in Christ Jesus we were baptised in his death; in other words, we were baptised we went into the tomb with him and joined him in death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead by the father’s glory, we too might live a new life. If in union with Christ we have imitated his death, we shall also imitate him in his resurrection.

We must realise that our former selves have been crucified with him to destroy this sinful body and to free us from slavery sin. When a man dies, of course, he has finished with sin. But we believe that having died with Christ we shall return to life with him: Christ, as we know, having been raised from the dead will never die again. Death has no power over him any more.

The word of the Lord.

Option 3

A reading from the letter of St Paul to the Romans (14:7–12)

The life and death of each of us has its influence on others;
if we live, we live for the Lord; and if we die, we die for the Lord,
so that alive or dead we belong to the Lord.
This explains why Christ
both died and came to life,
it was so that he might be Lord
both of the dead and of the living.
We shall all have to stand before the judgement seat of God;
as scripture says:
By my life —it is the Lord who speaks —
every knee shall bend before me,
and every tongue shall praise God.
It is to God, therefore, that each of us
must give an account of himself.
The Word of the Lord

Option 4

A reading from the second letter of St Paul to the Corinthians (4:14–5:1)

We know that he who raised the Lord Jesus to life
will raise us with Jesus in our turn,
and put us by his side and you with us.
You see, all this is for your benefit,
so that the more grace is multiplied among people,
the more thanksgiving there will be, to the glory of God.
That is why there is no weakening on our part,
and instead, though this outer man of ours may be falling into decay, the
inner man is renewed day by day.
Yes the troubles which are soon over, though they weigh little,
train us for the carrying of a weight of eternal glory
which is out of all proportion to them.
And so we have no eyes for things that are visible,
but only for things that are invisible;
for visible things last only for a time,
and the invisible things are eternal.
For we know that when the tent that we live in on earth is folded up, there
is a house built by God for us,
an everlasting home
not made by human hands,
in the heavens.
The Word of the Lord

Option 5

A reading from the first letter of St John (3:1–2)

Think of the love that the Father has lavished on us,
by letting us be called God’s children;
and that is what we are.
Because the world refused to acknowledge him,
therefore it does not acknowledge us.
My dear people, we are already the children of God
but what we are to be in the future has not yet been revealed;
all we know is, that when it is revealed
we shall be like him
because we shall see him as he really is.
The Word of the Lord

Option 6

A reading from the Letter of St. Paul to the Romans (8:31b-35, 37-39)

With God on our side who can be against us?
Since God did not spare his own Son, but gave him up
to benefit us all,
we may be certain, after such a gift,
that he will not refuse anything he can give.
Could anyone accuse those that God has chosen?
When God acquits, could anyone condemn? Could Christ Jesus?
No! He not only died for us — he rose from the dead,
and there at God’s right hand
he stands and pleads for us.
Nothing therefore can come between us and the love of Christ,
even if we are troubled or worried, or being persecuted,
or lacking food or clothes,
or being threatened or even attacked.
These are the trials through which we triumph,
by the power of him who loved us.
For I am certain of this: neither death nor life, no angel,
no prince, nothing that exists, nothing still to come, not any power,
or height or depth, nor any created thing,
can ever come between us and the love of God
made visible in Christ Jesus our Lord.
The Word of the Lord

Option 7

A reading from the second Letter of Saint Paul to Timothy (4:6-8)

Beloved:
I am already being poured out like a libation,
and the time of my departure is at hand.
I have fought the good fight to the end,
I have finished the race,
I have kept the faith.
From now on the crown of righteousness awaits me,
which the Lord, the just judge,
will award to me on that day,
and not only to me,
but to all who have longed for his appearance.
The Word of the Lord

Option 8

A reading from the Second Letter of St. Paul to the Corinthians (5:1, 6-10)

Brothers and sisters:
We know that if our earthly dwelling, a tent,
should be destroyed,
we have a building from God,
a dwelling not made with hands,
eternal in heaven.
We are always courageous,
although we know that while we are at home in the body
we are away from the Lord,
for we walk by faith, not by sight.
Yet we are courageous,
and we would rather leave the body and go home to the Lord.
Therefore, we aspire to please him,
whether we are at home or away.
For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ,
so that each may receive recompense,
according to what we did in the body, whether good or evil.
The Word of the Lord

Option 9

A reading from the First Letter of St. Paul to the Thessalonians (4:13-18)

We do not want you to be unaware, brothers and sisters,
about those who have fallen asleep,
so that you may not grieve like the rest, who have no hope.
For if we believe that Jesus died and rose,
so too will God, through Jesus,
bring with him those who have fallen asleep.
Indeed, we tell you this, on the word of the Lord,
that we who are alive,
who are left until the coming of the Lord,
will surely not precede those who have fallen asleep.
For the Lord himself, with a word of command,
with the voice of an archangel and with the trumpet of God,
will come down from heaven,
and the dead in Christ will rise first.
Then we who are alive, who are left,
will be caught up together with them in the clouds
to meet the Lord in the air.
Thus we shall always be with the Lord.
Therefore, console one another with these words.
The Word of the Lord

Option 10

A reading from the second letter of St Paul to Timothy (2:8–13)

Here is a saying that you can rely on:
If we have died with him, then we shall live with him.
If we hold firm, then we shall reign with him.
If we disown him, then he will disown us.
We may be unfaithful, but he is always faithful,
for he cannot disown his own self.
The Word of the Lord

Prayers of the Faithful (Choose one set)

Option 1

The Priest introduces and concludes the prayers

Reader(s):
1. Let us pray for N. In baptism s/he died with
Christ. May s/he now share in the fullness of his
resurrection. Lord, hear us.
2. For the sorrowing family, relatives and friends
of N; that they may find strength and consolation
in their Christian faith and in the love and support
of this community. Lord, hear us.
3. God of all consolation, help us to comfort one another in our grief, finding
light in time of darkness, and faith in time of doubt. Lord, hear us.
4. We pray for those who care for the sick and dying, especially those who
cared for N. Lord, hear us.
5. We pray for those here today, that our memory of N. whom we loved
inspire us with a renewed love for all our sisters and brothers. Lord, hear us.
6. We pray for all of us here today; that we may be prepared for the hour of
our death, when God will call us by name, to pass from this world to the
next. Lord, hear us.

Option 2

Death of an elderly person

Priest: For those who live a good life, the hour of death is
transformed into an hour of glory, because God gives them the
crown of eternal life. Let us pray to God in our hour of loss.
Response: Lord, graciously hear us.

Reader(s):
1. N., has finally reached the shore of eternity; may he (she) enjoy
rest from all his (her) labours. Lord, hear us.
2. N., fought the good fight; he (she) finished the race; may he (she)
now receive the crown of eternal glory Christ won for us with his
death and resurrection. Lord, hear us.
3. That the hardships and sufferings he (she) endured may, through
the mercy of God, gain him (her) forgiveness for his (her) sins.
Lord, hear us.
4. For those who grieve for him (her): that their sorrow may be
changed into joy. Lord, hear us.
5. For all those who cared for N., in his (her) old age: that their
kindness and patience may be rewarded. Lord, hear us.
6. That all who knew N., may draw inspiration from his (her) life.
Lord, hear us.

 

Priest:

Lord, may you support us all day long, till the shadows
lengthen, and evening fails, and the busy world is hushed, and the
fever of life is over, and our work is done; then in your mercy,
Lord, grant us a safe lodging, a holy rest, and peace at last. We ask
this through Christ our Lord.

Option 3

A Parent

Priest: God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that
everyone who believes in him may not perish but have eternal life.
Therefore, let us pray to him with confidence.
Response: Lord, graciously hear us.

Reader(s):
1. That God may reward N., for all the love that she (he) shared.
Lord, hear us.
2. That in his boundless mercy God may blot out the sins she (he)
committed through human weakness. Lord, hear us.
3. That God may visit N’s family and friends with comfort and
peace. Lord, hear us.
4. That God may bless this community with an increase of hope
and love. Lord, hear us.
5. That our departed relatives and friends may be freed from every
shadow of death and take their place in the new creation. Lord,
hear us.

Priest:
O God, you made us for yourself, and our hearts will never rest
until they rest in you. Grant that amidst the uncertainties of this
changing world, our hearts may be set on our eternal home where
true joys are to be found. We ask this through Christ our Lord.

Option 4

Tragic death

Priest: God is on our side. Therefore, let us pray to him with confidence
in our hour of need.
Response: Lord, graciously hear us.

Reader(s):
1. That N., whose life was cut short by tragedy, may now enter into
the fullness of that life Christ won for us with his death. Lord,
hear us.
2. That God’s mercy may shine warmly on her (him), forgiving all
her (his) sins. Lord, hear us.
3. For N’s family, relatives, and friends: that the Lord may keep
their hearts and minds in his love and peace. Lord, hear us.
4. For ourselves: that in the midst of the trials and uncertainties of
life, our trust in God may remain firm. Lord, hear us.
5. For our departed relatives and friends: that freed from every
shadow of death, they may take their place in the new creation
where all tears are wiped away. Lord, hear us.

Priest:
God of power and love, you made us not for death but for eternal
life. Let the splendour of Christ’s resurrection scatter the shadows
of death and cause the radiance of eternity to shine on us.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.

Option 5

When there is a great sense of loss

Priest:
Christ is the Good Shepherd who gave his life to save his flock. In
our loss, let us turn to him, and with confidence make our needs
known to him.
Response: Lord, graciously hear us.

Reader(s):
1. N., believed in Christ, the Good Shepherd; may he (she) now
enjoy the fullness of eternal life in the kingdom of heaven. Lord,
hear us.
2. That the Lord may grant him (her) forgiveness for his (her) sins.
Lord, hear us.
3. That those who grieve over his (her) loss may be comforted by
the knowledge that the Lord will take care of him (her). Lord,
hear us.
4. For all the faithful departed, especially our relatives and friends:
that they may dwell in the house of the Lord for ever. Lord, hear
us.
5. For those who do not follow Christ because they do not hear his
voice or know him. Lord, hear us.

Priest:
Lord, give us the certainty that beyond death there is a life where
broken things are mended and lost things are found; where there is
rest for the weary and joy for the sad; where all that we have loved
and willed of good exists, and where we will meet again our loved
ones. We ask this through Christ our Lord.

Option 6

Sudden death

Priest:
As we stand before the mystery of death, Christ stands among us
and says to us, ‘Courage! Do not be afraid.’ Therefore, let us place
our prayers before him, confident that he will hear them.
Response: Lord, graciously hear us.

Reader(s):
1. That N., whose life was cut short by death, may enter into the
fullness of that life Christ won for us by his own death. Lord, hear
us.
2. As death surprised her (him) with its suddenness, may God now
surprise her (him) with his kindness and mercy. Lord, hear us.
3. That her (his) family may find comfort through faith in God and
the support of the community. Lord, hear us.
4. For ourselves: that we may continue our earthly journey,
steadfast in faith and joyful in hope. Lord, hear us.
5. That God may grant eternal life to all those whom death has
taken away from us. Lord, hear us.

Priest:
God of power and love, you made us not for death but for eternal
life. Let the splendour of Christ’s resurrection scatter the shadows
of death and cause the radiance of eternity to shine on us.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.

Option 7

Someone who suffered a lot

Priest: Through Christ we have become children of God and heirs
to the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, let us pray to God with
confidence in this hour of sorrow.
Response: Lord, graciously hear us.

Reader(s):
1. N., shared the bitterness of Christ’s sufferings on earth; may she
(he) share his glory in heaven. Lord, hear us.
2. That she (he) may know the sweetness of God’s mercy. Lord,
hear us.
3. For those who mourn N’s death: that they may be comforted by
the knowledge that after all her (his) pain, she (he) is now at peace.
Lord, hear us.
4. For all who suffer: that they may bear their pain with patience
and fortitude. Lord, hear us.
5. For those who care for the sick and suffering: that they may have
kind hearts and gentle hands. Lord, hear us.
6. For all here present: that we may remember that what we suffer
in this life can never be compared to the glory which is waiting for
us in the next. Lord, hear us.

Priest:
Lord, give us the certainty that beyond death there is a life where
broken things are mended and lost things are found; where there is
rest for the weary and joy for the sad; where all that we have loved
and willed of good exists, and where we will meet again our loved
ones. We ask this through Christ our Lord.

Option 8

A child or youth who died tragically

Priest: Let us now pray with confidence to Christ who showed in
word and deed that the little ones are precious to him.
Response: Lord, graciously hear us.

Reader(s):
1. That Christ may welcome N., into that kingdom which he said
belongs especially to the little ones. Lord, hear us.
2. As a child N., thirsted for life here on earth; may she (he) now
enjoy the fullness of life in heaven. Lord, hear us.
3. For the parents of N., that they may be consoled in the
knowledge that as they cherished her (him) in life, God will cherish
her (him) in death. Lord, hear us.
4. That we may treasure the beautiful but fragile gift of life which
God has given us. Lord, hear us.
5. For our deceased relatives and friends. Lord, hear us.

Priest:
God of power and love, in Christ you have shown us how much
you love the little ones. Write the name of N., on the palm of your
hand, and grant her (him) a place of honour in your kingdom of
light and peace. We ask this through Christ our Lord.

Family Prayers

A Prayer for Comfort and Strength
Every day I need you Lord but this day especially I need some extra strength to face
whatever is to be. This day, more than any day, I need to feel you near to fortify mc
courage and overcome my fear. By myself I cannot meet the challenge of the hour.
And so dear Lord I ask, hold on to my trembling hand and remain with me today.
Amen.

 

A Prayer for the Bereaved
Lord, it’s hard to do the everyday things since N…died. Life is going on as normal for
everyone else, but somehow inside of me there is an ache that just won’t go away. I
can’t even talk about it to people close to me. You wept when your friend Lazarus died,
so you must know what I am going through. Help me with my loneliness, my sadness
and my regrets. Amen.

 

Prayer for Eternal Rest
Eternal Rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May
the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.

 

The Holy Rosary
Joyful Mysteries of the Rosary (Monday & Saturday)
1. The Annunciation of the Lord to Mary
2. The Visitation of Mary to Elizabeth
3. The Nativity of our Lord Jesus Christ
4. The Presentation of our Lord in the Temple
5. The Finding of the child Jesus in the Temple at age 12.

Sorrowful Mysteries (Tuesday & Friday)
1. The Agony of Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane
2. The Scourging at the Pillar
3. Jesus is Crowned with Thorns
4. Jesus Carries the Cross
5. The Crucifixion and Death of Jesus

Glorious Mysteries (Wednesday and Sunday)
1. The Resurrection of Jesus from the Dead
2. The Ascension of Jesus to Heaven
3. The Descent of the Holy Spirit on the Apostles
4. The Assumption of Mary into Heaven
5. The Coronation of Mary, Queen of Heaven and Earth

Luminous Mysteries (Thursday)
1. The Baptism of the Lord in the Jordan
2. The Wedding at Cana
3. The Proclamation of the Kingdom
4. The Transfiguration
5. The Institution of the Eucharist

 

The Lord’s Prayer (Our Father)
Our Father, Who art in Heaven, hallowed be Thy name; Thy Kingdom come, Thy
will be done on earth as it is in Heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive
us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into
temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen.

 

The Angelic Salutation (Hail Mary)
Hail Mary full of Grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed
art thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy
womb, Jesus. Holy Mary Mother of God, pray for us
sinners now and at the hour of our death. Amen.

 

Prayer to the Holy Trinity (Glory be to the Father…)
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the
beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen

 

Salve Regina (Hail Holy Queen)
Hail, holy Queen, Mother of mercy, hail, our life, our sweetness and our hope. To thee
do we cry, poor banished children of Eve: to thee do we send up our sighs, mourning
and weeping in this valley of tears. Turn then, most gracious Advocate, thine eyes of
mercy toward us, and after this our exile, show unto us the blessed fruit of thy womb,
Jesus. O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary! Pray for us, O most Holy Mother of
God. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ. Amen.

Marriage

wedding ringsCongratulations on the decision to make your love a sacrament.  Marriage is a gift from God.  We will do our best to help you prepare for your wedding and for your married life together.

Church Requirements:

Please make contact with one of the priests of the parish in which you LIVE so that Pre-Nuptial Enquiry Forms can be completed and the relevant pre-marriage preparation arranged.  Please note that the priest of the bride’s parish has the responsibility of preparing the couple for marriage.

Request a Baptismal Certificate and if necessary a Confirmation certificate from the parish in which you were Baptised/Confirmed.  This certificate must be issued within six months of the date of your wedding.

Confirm the arrangements with the priest who is officiating at the wedding.  If he is from another diocese or from a religious order, you must forward details of his name, address and telephone number to the parish secretary, so that he can be registered as a temporary officiant in the Derry Diocese.

The priests of the parishes within the city have agreed that to fully prepare for the sacrament of marriage all couples must participate in a pre-marriage course with ACCORD within six months of the marriage date.   To book a course visit www.accord.ie or email derry@accordni.com.

If an ACCORD Pre-Marriage Course is unavailable in your area, please contact the Parish Office on 7126 2301 before booking a course with another provider. It is mandatory that all couples intending to celebrate their marriage here in St Columba’s Church complete a recognised Pre-Marriage Course.

Civil Requirements

Collect a Marriage Notice Application Form from the Registrar of Birth, Deaths and Marriages in Magazine Street.  This can be obtained at any time from one year to 28 days prior to the wedding.  The minimum period is twenty eight days before the date of the proposed marriage, but if you leave things as late as this you could be faced with the need to postpone your wedding.

Complete and ask the officiating priest to sign the Marriage Notice Application Form.  Return the duly completed form to the Registrar.  When the Registrar is satisfied there is no legal impediment to the marriage, a Marriage Schedule will be prepared from the information which the parties have supplied.  The Schedule is a most important document – no marriage can proceed without it.

The couple must produce their Marriage Schedule to the Long Tower Parochial House at least 3 days prior to the wedding.

It is important to stress that compliance with these regulations is the sole responsibility of the couple not the priest.  If these civil requirements are not met NO WEDDING CAN TAKE PLACE.  We would advise you therefore to make contact with your local Registrar’s Office and they will instruct you on the necessary procedures.

Wedding Rehearsals

Rehearsals usually take place 2 to 3 days prior to the wedding at a time that is mutually agreeable between the couple, the priest and the church.  The wedding rehearsal can be booked by telephoning the Parochial House and usually takes place immediately before (i.e. 6pm) or directly after (i.e. 8pm) evening Mass on a weekday.

Ceremony

The Ceremony will begin at the time arranged so it is important that everyone arrives on time.  This allows for maximum time for your wedding.  There may be other events in the Long Tower after your wedding e.g. another wedding, baptisms etc.  Your booking is from 15 minutes before the time of the wedding to 1 hour afterwards e.g. 1.00pm wedding – 12.45 pm to 2.00 pm.  The Long Tower has a busy schedule with many events each day.  Late arrival causes a knock-on effect that upsets everyone.

Photographs

Most wedding photographers and videographers are professional, reverent and discreet.  We simply ask that they refrain from using extra lights or delaying the arrival of the bride, and that they limit their movements during the Mass.

Flowers

Long Tower Church is very ornate and does not require flowers to make it beautiful; therefore we encourage simplicity in floral arrangements.  If you wish to have some flowers you may contact our parish flower arranger, Patricia McCormack (7135 4606). She will advise and give details of the cost.  Floral decorations which are attached to the seats (by tie-bows not sticky tape or tacks) should be remove immediately after the ceremony.

Music

The Wedding Ceremony takes place within a liturgical context. Liturgy is public worship before God and so the music you choose for your wedding must reflect the sacredness of the event and be fitting for worship. It is important, therefore, that the music you choose is worthy of such a celebration and that the lyrics acknowledge the presence of Christ, the Unseen Guest, at your wedding. No secular music. If you have any doubts, do not hesitate to contact the priest.

Money

The amount of money you spend on your wedding day is your own choice. The Church only asks that the couple and two witnesses be present with the priest. However, it is customary to make a donation to the celebrant, sacristan and the altar servers.

Care for the Church

Please note that the following items are not permitted in the church or its grounds: cigarettes, chewing gum, flower petals, confetti, candles on the aisles, rice, balloons, bubbles etc.  When issuing invitations we encourage you to draw the attention of your guests to these guidelines. Mobile phones must be switched OFF in the church.

Finally, we celebrate your love for each other. We very much encourage you to pray together daily and attend Mass every Sunday. This will be the sustenance of your engagement and your marriage. We wish you God’s choicest blessings all the days of your life.

Click here to download Marriage Booking Enquiry Form

Wedding Readings

You may choose one Old Testament and one New Testament reading or two New Testament readings.  The Responsorial Psalm comes after the first reading.  If you prefer to use different readings do not hesitate to ask the priest to help you.

Choose A First Reading

Option 1

A reading from the Book of Genesis

God said, ‘Let us make a man in our own image, in the likeness of ourselves, and let them be masters of the fish of the sea, the birds of heaven, the cattle, all the wild beasts and all the reptiles that crawl upon the earth’.

God created man in the image of himself, in the image of God he created him, male and female he created them.

God blessed them. Saying to them, ‘Be fruitful, multiply, fill the earth and conquer it.  Be masters of the fish of the sea, the birds of heaven and all living animals on the earth’.  God saw all he had made, and indeed it was very good.

This is the word of the Lord.

Option 2

A reading from the Book of Genesis

The Lord God said, ‘It is not good that the man should be alone.  I will make him a helpmate.’ So from the soil the Lord God fashioned all the wild beasts and all the birds of heaven.  These he brought to the man to see what he would call them; each one was to bear the name the man would give it.  The man gave names to all the cattle, all the birds of heaven and all the wild beasts.  But no helpmate suitable for man was found for him.  So the Lord made the man fall into a deep sleep.  And while he slept, he took one of his ribs and enclosed it in the flesh.  The Lord God built the rib he had taken from the man into woman, and brought her to the man.

The man exclaimed:  ‘This at last is bone from my bones, and flesh from my flesh!  This is to be called woman, for this was taken from man.’

This is why a man leaves his father and mother and joins himself to his wife, and they become one body.

This is the word of the Lord

Option 3

A Reading from the Book of Tobit

On the evening of their marriage, Tobias said to Sarah, ‘You and I must pray and petition our Lord to win his grace and his protection’.  They began praying for protection, and this was how he began:

“You are blessed, O God of our fathers;

blessed, too, is your name

for ever and ever.

Let the heavens bless you

And all things you made

For evermore.

It was you who created Adam,

You who created Eve his wife

To be his help and support;

And from these two the human race was born.

It was you who said,

‘It is not good that the man should be alone;

Let us make him a helpmate like himself’.

And so I do not take my sister

for any selfish motive;

I do it in singleness of heart.

Be kind enough to have pity on her and on me

And bring us to old age together’.

And together they said, ‘Amen, Amen’.

This is the word of the Lord.

Option 4

A reading from the Song of Songs


I hear my Beloved.
See how he comes
leaping on the mountains,
bounding over the hills.
My Beloved is like a gazelle,
like a young stag.
See where he stands
behind our wall.
He looks in at the window,
he peers through the lattice.
My Beloved lifts up his voice,
he says to me,
‘Come then, my love,
my lovely one, come.
My dove, hiding in the clefts of the rock.
In the coverts of the cliff,
show me your face,
let me hear your voice;
for your voice is sweet
and your face is beautiful.’

My beloved is mine and I am his.

Set me like a seal on your heart,
like a seal on your arm.
For love is strong as Death,
jealousy relentless as Sheol.

The flash of it is a flash of fire,
a flame of the Lord himself.
Love no flood can quench,
no torrents drown.

This is the word of the Lord.

Choose A Second Reading

Option 1

A reading from the letter of St Paul to the Ephesians 5:2.21-33


 

This mystery has many implications and I am saying it applies to Christ and the Church.

Follow Christ by loving as he loved you, giving himself up in our place. Give way to one another in obedience to Christ. Wives should regard their husbands as they regard the Lord, since as Christ is head of the Church and saves the whole body, so is a husband the head of his wife; and as the Church submits to Christ, so should wives to their husbands, in everything. Husbands should love their wives just as Christ loved the Church and sacrificed himself for her to make her holy. He made her clean by washing her in water with a form of words, so that when he took her to himself she would be glorious, with no speck or wrinkle or anything like that, but holy and faultless. In the same-way, husbands must love their wives as they love their own bodies; for a man to love his wife is for him to love himself. A man never hates his own body, but he feeds it and looks after it; and that is the way Christ treats the Church, because it is his body – and we are its living parts. For this reason, a man must leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two will become one body. This mystery has many implications; but I am saying it applies to Christ and the Church. To sum up; you too, each one of you, must love his wife as he loves himself; and let every wife respect her husband.

 

The word of the Lord.

Option 2

A Reading from the First Letter of St Paul to the Corinthians

Be ambitious for the higher gifts.  And I am going to show you a way that is better than any of them.

If I have all the eloquence of men or of angels, but speak without love, I am simply a gong booming or symbol clashing.  If I have the gift of prophecy, understanding all the mysteries there are, and knowing everything, and if I have faith in all its fullness, to move mountains, but without love, then I am nothing at all.  If I give away all that I possess, piece by piece, and if I even let them take my body to burn it, but am without love, it will do me no good whatever.

Love is always patient and kind; it is never jealous; love is never boastful or conceited; it is never rude or selfish; it does not take offence, and is not resentful.  Love takes no pleasure in other people’s sins but delights in the truth; it is always ready to excuse, to trust, to hope and to endure whatever comes.

Love does not come to an end.

This is the Word of the Lord.

Option 3

A Reading from the Letter of St Paul to the Colossians

You are God’s chosen race, his saints; he loves you, and you should be clothed in sincere compassion, in kindness and humility, gentleness and patience.  Bear with one another; forgive each other as soon as a quarrel begins.  The Lord has forgiven you; now you must do the same.  Over all these clothes, to keep them together and complete them, put on love.  And may the peace of Christ reign in your hearts, because it is for this that you were called together as parts of one body.  Always be thankful.

Let the message of Christ, in all its richness, find a home with you.  Teach each other, in all wisdom.  With gratitude in your hearts sing psalms and hymns and inspired songs to God; and never say or do anything except in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

This is the Word to the Lord.

Option 4

A Reading from the Letter of St Paul to the Romans

Think of God’s mercy, my brothers, and worship him I beg you, in a way that is worthy of thinking beings, by offering your living bodies as a holy sacrifice, truly pleasing to God.  Do not model yourselves on the behaviour of the world around you, but let your behaviour change, modelled by your new mind.  This is the only way to discover the will of God and know what is good, what it is that God wants, what is the perfect thing to do.

Do not let your love be a pretence, but sincerely prefer good to evil.  Love each other as much as brothers should, and have a profound respect for each other.  Work for the Lord with untiring effort and with great earnestness of spirit.  If you have hope, this will make you cheerful.  Do not give up if trials come; and keep praying.  If any of the saints are in need you must share with them; and you should make hospitality your special care.

Bless those who persecute you; never curse them, bless them.  Rejoice with those who rejoice and be sad with those in sorrow.  Treat everyone with equal kindness; never be condescending but make real friends with the poor.  Do not allow yourself to become self-satisfied.

Never repay evil with evil but let everyone see that you are interested only in the highest ideals.  Do all you can to live at peace with everyone.

This is the Word to the Lord.

 

 

 

 

Option 5

A reading from the first letter of St John 4:7-12


 

God is love

 

My dear people,

let us love one another

since love comes from God

and everyone who loves is begotten by God and knows God. Anyone who fails to love can never have known God,

because God is love.

God’s love for us was revealed

when God sent into the world his only Son

so that we could have life through him;

this is the love I mean:

not our love for God,

but God’s love for us when he sent his Son

to be the sacrifice that takes our sins away.

My dear people,

since God has loved us so much,

we too should love one another.

No one has ever seen God;

but as long as we love one another

God will live in us

and his love will be complete in us.

 

The word of the Lord.

Option 6

A reading from the Letter of Saint Paul to the Romans 8:31b-35, 37-39

 

Brothers and sisters:

If God is for us, who can be against us?

He did not spare his own Son

but handed him over for us all,

how will he not also give us everything else along with him?

Who will bring a charge against God’s chosen ones?

It is God who acquits us.

Who will condemn?

It is Christ Jesus who died, rather, was raised,

who also is at the right hand of God,

who indeed intercedes for us.

What will separate us from the love of Christ?

Will anguish, or distress, or persecution, or famine,

or nakedness, or peril, or the sword?

No, in all these things, we conquer overwhelmingly

through him who loved us.

For I am convinced that neither death, nor life,

nor angels, nor principalities,

nor present things, nor future things,

nor powers, nor height, nor depth,

nor any other creature will be able to separate us

from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

 

The word of the Lord.

Option 7

A reading from the Letter of Saint Paul to the Ephesians 5:2a, 25-32


 

Brothers and sisters:

Live in love, as Christ loved us

and handed himself over for us.

Husbands, love your wives,

even as Christ loved the Church

and handed himself over for her to sanctify her,

cleansing her by the bath of water with the word,

that he might present to himself the Church in splendor,

without spot or wrinkle or any such thing,

that she might be holy and without blemish.

So also husbands should love their wives as their own bodies.

He who loves his wife loves himself.

For no one hates his own flesh

but rather nourishes and cherishes it,

even as Christ does the Church,

because we are members of his Body.

For this reason a man shall leave his father and his mother

and be joined to his wife,

and the two shall become one flesh.

This is a great mystery,

but I speak in reference to Christ and the Church.

 

The word of the Lord.

Option 8

A reading from the Letter of Saint Paul to the Philippians 4:4-9

 

Brothers and sisters:

Rejoice in the Lord always.

I shall say it again: rejoice!

Your kindness should be known to all.

The Lord is near.

Have no anxiety at all, but in everything,

by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving,

make your requests known to God.

Then the peace of God that surpasses all understanding

will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

Finally, brothers and sisters,

whatever is true, whatever is honorable,

whatever is just, whatever is pure,

whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious,

if there is any excellence

and if there is anything worthy of praise,

think about these things.

Keep on doing what you have learned and received

and heard and seen in me.

Then the God of peace will be with you.

 

The word of the Lord.

Option 9

A reading from the Letter to the Hebrews 13:1-4a, 5-6b

 

Brothers and sisters:

Let mutual love continue.

Do not neglect hospitality,

for through it some have unknowingly entertained angels.

Be mindful of prisoners as if sharing their imprisonment,

and of the ill-treated as of yourselves,

for you also are in the body.

Let marriage be honored among all

and the marriage bed be kept undefiled.

Let your life be free from love of money

but be content with what you have,

for he has said, I will never forsake you or abandon you.

Thus we may say with confidence:

The Lord is my helper,

and I will not be afraid.

 

The word of the Lord.

Choose Your Declaration of Consent

Option 1

Priest:

I invite you then to declare before God and his Church your consent to become husband and wife.

Bridegroom:

Name, Do you consent to be my wife?

Bride:

I do.  Do you, Name, consent to be my husband?

Bridegroom:

I do. I take you as my wife and I give myself to you as your husband.

Bride:

I take you as my husband and I give myself to you as your wife.

They join hands and say together:

To love each other truly

For better, for worse,

For richer, for poorer,

In sickness and in health,

All the days of our lives.

When the bride and bridegroom have given their consent the priest says:

What God joins together man must not separate.

May the Lord confirm the consent that you have given and enrich you with his blessings.

Option 2

Priest:

I invite you then to declare before God and his Church your consent to become husband and wife.

They join hands

Bridegroom:

I, Name, take you, Name, as my wife,

For better, for worse,

For richer, for poorer,

In sickness and in health,

All the days of our lives.

Bride:

I, Name, take you, Name, as my husband,

For better, for worse,

For richer, for poorer,

In sickness and in health,

All the days of our lives.

When the bride and bridegroom have given their consent the priest says:

Priest:

What God joins together man must not separate.  May the Lord confirm the consent that you have given and enrich you with his blessings.

Option 3

Priest:

I invite you then to declare before God and his Church your consent to become husband and wife.

They join hands.  The priest then asks the bridegroom:

Priest:

Name, do you take Name, as your wife,

For better, for worse,

For richer, for poorer,

In sickness and in health,

All the days of your life?

Bridegroom:

I do.

The priest then asks the bride:

Priest:  

Name, do you take Name, as your husband,

For better, for worse,

For richer, for poorer,

In sickness and in health,

All the days of your life?

Bride:

I do.

Priest:   

What God joins together man must not separate. May the Lord confirm the consent that you have given and enrich you with his blessings.

Option 4

Priest:

I invite you then to declare before God and his Church your decision to become husband and wife.

Bridegroom:

Name, do you consent to be my wife?

Bride:

I do.  Name, do you consent to be my husband?

Bridegroom:

I do.

They join hands and say together:

We take each other as husband and wife and

promise to love each other truly

for better, for worse,

for richer, for poorer,

in sickness and in health, all the days of our lives.

Priest:    

The Lord has joined you together.  May he fulfill his blessing in you; may he keep you in his love.

Prayer of the Faithful

  1. For N. and N. that the Lord who has brought them to this happy day will keep them forever in fidelity and love.

          Lord hear us.

  1. For the parents of N. and N., for their friends and all who have helped them to become husband and wife.

          Lord hear us.

  1. That the Lord may bless the world with his peace and the protection of his love.

           Lord hear us.

  1.  For married couples everywhere that their lives will be an example to the world of unity, fidelity and love.

           Lord hear us.

  1.  For the faithful departed and especially for those who we, ourselves, have loved, (remembering in particular ……..)  that God will one      day unite us again in the joys of our eternal home.

           Lord hear us.

Prayer of the Newly Married Couple

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.

The Rite Of Marriage (within Mass)- Sample Text

THE_RITE_OF_MARRIAGE_WITHIN_MASS[1]

The Rite Of Marriage (outside Mass)- Sample Text

Wedding_Service_without_Mass[1]