Did you know?
A wedding with Holy Communion is also known as a Nuptial Mass. We often use this more traditional term here at ASWT.
The Nuptial Mass
A nuptial mass is a special wedding Mass where the sacrament of matrimony is celebrated during the Liturgy of the Eucharist (also known as Holy Communion). It typically lasts about one hour and includes readings, vows, ring exchanges, a special nuptial blessing, and Holy CommunionThe Nuptial Mass originates from early Christian traditions in the first few centuries AD, evolving from a combination of Jewish prayer customs, Roman civil wedding rituals, and the Christian celebration of the Eucharist1 - Your wedding begins at the door…
The service begins with the processional, led by Fr Duncan, followed by the bridesmaids or attendants and then the bride as she enters to join the groom and his best man, who will already be standing at the front of the church. The bride and her attendants enter through the main doors and process down the central aisle. The groom is already in his place.
Music is normally played as the bride enters the church. Some examples can be heard here.
2-The Preface
The preface is a short but formal welcome. It explains the Christian Understanding of marriage and the priest reads it to the congregation. You can read the text here.
3 - A Hymn of Your Choice
You will need to choose some hymns (if you are having music.) All the music at ASWT is performed “live” on the day by professional musicians. Music choices are a really important decision and it is best to ask for help if you are unsure what to choose at any point! You can listen to some examples of hymns people have used in weddings here.
4 -Readings
The readings now follow, with the congregation seated. The bride and groom and their attendants are also seated at this point. In a Nuptial Mass, there is always one reading from the Gospels, and the priest will read this after any other readings you choose. There is room for your friends to read something. You can have up to two readings. Follow this link to see examples.
5 - The Homily
Normally, at this point, Fr Duncan gives a short address of up to five minutes, drawing out themes to do with you, your marriage, and the readings you have chosen.
6 - A Hymn of Your Choice - Optional
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The question of consent is asked by Fr Duncan, addressing the groom and then the bride in turn. The response is ‘I will’. The congregation is then asked to give its support by saying together, ‘we will’.
N, will you give yourself to N to be her husband,
to live with her according to God’s word?
Will you love her, comfort her,
honour and protect her,
and, forsaking all others, be faithful to her
so long as you both shall live?I will.
N, will you give yourself to N, to be his wife,
to live with him according to God’s word?
Will you love him, comfort him,
honour and protect him,
and, forsaking all others, be faithful to him
so long as you both shall live?I will.
Families and friends,
you are witnesses to these vows.
Will you do everything in your power
to uphold N and N in their marriage?We will.
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The vows are exchanged by the couple with joined hands, facing one another.
I, N, in the presence of God,
take you, N, 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,
so long as we both shall live.
All this I vow and promise.I, N, in the presence of God,
take you, N, 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,
so long as we both shall live.
All this I vow and promise. -
Both may exchange rings, or the groom may give the bride a ring only. The Celebrant says a short prayer of blessing over the ring or rings.
God of steadfast love,
by your blessing,
let these rings (or this ring) be for N and N
a symbol of their love and faithfulness
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.As the ring is placed on the finger of the receiver, the giver says:
I give you this ring
as a symbol of our marriage.
May God enable us
to grow in love together.The receiver accepts the ring by saying:
I receive this ring
as a symbol of our marriage. -
The Celebrant pronounces the declaration, with the bride and groom facing each other, hands joined.
Before God and in the presence of us all,
N and N have joined hands
and made their solemn vows,
promising life-long faithfulness to each other.
In the name of God,
I declare them to be husband and wife.
What God has joined together,
let no one separate.
God the Father lovingly enfold you,
God the Son grace your home and table,
God the Holy Spirit crown you with joy and peace.
The Lord bless you and keep you in eternal life. Amen. -
There are three documents to be signed:
• The certificate that will register the marriage, which is lodged with the Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages Queensland
• The certificate given to the bride and groom
• The register, which remains with Fr DuncanTwo witnesses are chosen by the couple to witness each of these documents. Traditionally, these are the best man and the head bridesmaid or matron of honour.
During the signing, music is played. Some couples also arrange for a soloist, musicians, or choir to perform appropriate pieces. You can find examples of popular music choices here.
8 - The Liturgy of the Eucharist -Nothing in this section can be altered.
After the certificates have been signed, the bride and groom move to the Sanctuary. This is the part of the building where the High Altar is, and is normally reserved to the Ministers of the Altar. On your wedding day, you are uniquely invited to sit in the Sanctuary as Mass is offered on your behalf. You will then share Holy Communion with your family and friends.
As you move to the Sanctuary, a hymn of your choice is played.
The Liturgy of the Eucharist consists of a number of parts.
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The Lord be with you.
And with your spirit.
Lift up your hearts.
We lift them up to the Lord.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is right and just.
It is truly right and just, our duty and our salvation, always and everywhere to give you thanks, Lord, holy Father, almighty and eternal God.
For you willed that the human race, created by the gift of your goodness, should be raised to such high dignity that in the union of husband and wife you might bestow a true image of your love.
For those you created out of charity you call to the law of charity without ceasing
and grant them a share in your eternal charity. And so, the Sacrament of holy Matrimony, as the abiding sign of your own love, consecrates the love of man and woman, through Christ our Lord.
Through him, with the Angels and all the Saints, we sing the hymn of your praise, as without end we acclaim:
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Holy, Holy, Holy Lord God of hosts.
Heaven and earth are full of your glory.
Hosanna in the highest.
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
Hosanna in the highest.
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You are indeed Holy, O Lord, the fount of all holiness.
Make holy, therefore, these gifts, we pray, by sending down your Spirit upon them like the dewfall, so that they may become for us the Body and Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ.
At the time he was betrayed and entered willingly into his Passion, he took bread and, giving thanks, broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying:
Take this, all of you, and eat of it, for this is my Body, which will be given up for you.
In a similar way, when supper was ended, he took this precious chalice in his holy and venerable hands, and once more giving you thanks, he said the blessing and gave the chalice to his disciples, saying:
Take this, all of you, and drink from it, for this is the chalice of my Blood, the Blood of the new and eternal covenant which will be poured out for you and for many for the forgiveness of sins.
Do this in memory of me.
The mystery of faith.
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The people say together:
We proclaim your Death, O Lord, and profess your Resurrection until you come again.
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Therefore, as we celebrate the memorial of his Death and Resurrection, we offer you, Lord, the Bread of life and the Chalice of salvation, giving thanks that you have held us worthy to be in your presence and minister to you.
Humbly we pray that, partaking of the Body and Blood of Christ, we may be gathered into one by the Holy Spirit.
Remember, Lord, your Church, spread throughout the world, and bring her to the fullness of charity, together with (Pope. Ecumenical Patriarch, our Archbishop and Bishop) and all the clergy.
Be mindful also, Lord, of John and Sally, whom you have brought to their wedding day, so that by your grace they may abide in mutual love and in peace.
Remember also our brothers and sisters who have fallen asleep in the hope of the resurrection, and all who have died in your mercy: welcome them into the light of your face.
Have mercy on us all, we pray, that with the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God, with the blessed Apostles, and all the Saints who have pleased you throughout the ages, we may merit to be coheirs to eternal life, and may praise and glorify you through your Son, Jesus Christ.
Through him, and with him, and in him, O God, almighty Father, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, all glory and honour is yours, for ever and ever.
Amen.
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At the Saviour's command and formed by divine teaching, we dare to say:
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.
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The Priest says:
Dear brothers and sisters, let us humbly pray to the Lord that on these his servants, now married in Christ, he may mercifully pour out the blessing of his grace and make of one heart in love, by the Sacrament of Christ's Body and Blood, those he has joined by a holy covenant.
Holy Father, maker of the whole world, who created man and woman in your own image and willed that their union be crowned with your blessing, we humbly beseech you for these your servants, who are joined today in the Sacrament of Matrimony.
May your abundant blessing, Lord, come down upon this bride, Sally, and upon John , her companion for life, and may the power of your Holy Spirit set their hearts aflame from on high, so that, living out together the gift of Matrimony, they may (adorn their family with children and) enrich the Church.
In happiness may they praise you, O Lord, in sorrow may they seek you out; may they have the joy of your presence to assist them in their toil, and know that you are near to comfort them in their need;
let them pray to you in the holy assembly and bear witness to you in the world, and after a happy old age, together with the circle of friends that surrounds them, may they come to the Kingdom of Heaven.
Through Christ our Lord.
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Lord Jesus Christ, who said to your Apostles: Peace I leave you, my peace I give you, look not on our sins, but on the faith of your Church, and graciously grant her peace and unity in accordance with your will.
Who live and reign for ever and ever.
Amen.
The peace of the Lord be with you always.
And with your spirit.
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Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world, have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world, have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world, grant us peace.
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Behold the Lamb of God, behold him who takes away the sins of the world. Blessed are those called to the supper of the Lamb.
Lord, I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof, but only say the word and my soul shall be healed.
May the Body of Christ keep me safe for eternal life.
May the Blood of Christ keep me safe for eternal life.
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By the power of this sacrifice, O Lord, accompany with your loving favour what in your providence you have instituted, so as to make of one heart in love those you have already joined in this holy union and replenished with the one Bread and the one Chalice.
Through Christ our Lord.
Amen.
9. The Recessional
The bride and groom then lead their attendants out of the venue, with the congregation following. They may greet immediate family, and others as appropriate, as they leave the church. Triumphant music is played as they leave. Some examples can be heard here.
Frequently Asked Questions…
7 - The Marriage - Nothing in this section can be altered.
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