A wedding ceremony is one of the most special and memorable occasions in a couple’s life. It is the moment in which two people join together in a lifelong commitment of love and devotion. A priest is an integral part of this ceremony, as he is the one who presides over the exchange of vows and rings. In this blog post, we will explore the role of a priest in a wedding ceremony and what he says during this sacred event.
The Beginning of the Ceremony
As the wedding ceremony begins, the priest welcomes the guests and invites them to celebrate the joyous occasion. He then greets the bride and groom and reminds them of the significance of the commitment they are about to make.
The Gathering Rite
Following the procession, the priest will lead the couple through the gathering rite. The priest will begin by asking the couple to declare their intent to marry. This is done publicly as a way to ensure that both parties are willing and able to enter into the union of marriage.
The Liturgy of the Word
The next portion of the ceremony is the Liturgy of the Word. The priest will read from the Bible, sharing scripture passages that pertain to love, devotion, and commitment. These passages serve as a reminder to the couple of the importance of the vows they are about to exchange.
The Exchange of Vows
The exchange of vows is the most significant portion of the wedding ceremony. This is the moment when the bride and groom commit themselves to one another for the rest of their lives. The priest will lead the couple through the exchange of vows, prompting them with the phrases that they will repeat.
The following is an example of what the priest may say during the exchange of vows:
“Do you, [bride/groom], take [bride/groom], to be your lawfully wedded spouse, to love, honor, and cherish, in sickness and in health, for richer or for poorer, until death do you part?”
The bride and groom will then repeat this statement to one another, signifying their commitment to the marriage.
The Exchange of Rings
Following the exchange of vows, the priest will lead the couple through the exchange of rings. The rings serve as a symbol of the commitment the bride and groom have made to one another. The priest will bless the rings and prompt each partner with the following statement:
“[Partner’s name], I give you this ring as a sign of my love and fidelity. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.”
The Pronouncement of Marriage
After the exchange of rings, the priest will pronounce the couple as husband and wife. He will say:
“By the power invested in me by the Church, I now pronounce you husband and wife. What God has joined, let no one put asunder.”
The Closing Rite
The closing rite of the wedding ceremony is the final portion of the event. The priest will offer a prayer of blessing for the newlyweds and invite the guests to offer their congratulations to the happy couple. The couple then kiss, and the ceremony comes to a close.
Conclusion
The role of a priest in a wedding ceremony is significant. He is the one who guides the couple through the exchange of vows and rings, leading them to a lifelong commitment of love and devotion. The words that the priest says during the ceremony are not just empty phrases, but rather they are a reminder to the couple of the significance of the commitment they are making. In the end, the words the priest says are an important aspect of the wedding ceremony, and they serve as a testament to the love and commitment shared by the bride and groom.
FAQ
What does the priest say at a wedding before they kiss?
Before the couple officially seals their union with a kiss, the priest officiating the wedding usually recites a traditional phrase to signify the completion of the ceremony and the couple’s marriage. The phrase spoken by the priest is called the “Pronouncement of Marriage.” It is a special prayer that confirms the couple’s commitment to each other and invokes God’s blessings for their marriage.
The pronouncement of marriage varies based on the religious affiliation of the couple. However, the message usually shares a common theme: that the couple has made a commitment before God, and the two have become one entity in the eyes of the Lord. The traditional Christian wedding ceremony involves the priest or officiating minister asking the congregation if anyone sees a reason for the couple not to wed. After receiving no objections, the priest proceeds to ask the couple to exchange their vows.
Once the vows are exchanged, the priest usually addresses the couple, reminding them of the sanctity of marriage and the importance of their commitment to each other. He then recites the phrase, “By the power vested in me by God and man, I pronounce you wife and husband.” This statement signifies to the congregation that the couple is a legally married pair from this point onward.
After the priest has pronounced the couple as wife and husband, he recites another profound line: “What God has joined together, let no man put asunder.” This phrase symbolizes the divine intervention in creating the union and the plea to anyone who may want to interfere or break up the marriage.
As a conclusion to the pronouncement of marriage, the couple is invited to seal their union with a kiss. The kiss is the final act of the wedding ceremony and officially proclaims the couple as legally wedded spouses. The kiss also signifies the love that the couple shares and the happiness that they will experience for years to come.
The phrase spoken by the priest before the couple kisses to complete the ceremony is called the “Pronouncement of Marriage.” The pronouncement of marriage varies depending on the religious affiliation of the couple, but it usually acknowledges the couple’s commitment to each other, invokes God’s blessings on their union, and pronounces them as legal husband and wife. It is a moment that the couple and their guests will always remember, a worthy culmination of a beautiful wedding ceremony.
