We know that all of us need God’s blessing at all times; but at the
time of their engagement to be married, Christians are in particular
Prayer is the glue that holds a marriage and a family
together.
Blessing of an Engaged Couple
The betrothal of a Christian couple is a special occasion
for their families, who should celebrate it together with
prayer and a special rite. In this way, they ask God’s
blessing that the happiness promised by the engagement
will be brought to fulfilment. When the engagement is
celebrated within the circle of the two families, one of the
parents should preside.
When the families have gathered, all make the sign of the
cross.
The leader greets those present in the following words:
Brothers and sisters, let us praise our Lord Jesus
Christ, who loved us and gave himself for us. Let
us bless him now and forever.
R/. Blessed be God forever.
In the following or similar words, the leader
prepares those present for the blessing.
need of grace as they prepare themselves to form a new family.
Let us pray, then, for God’s blessing to come upon this
couple: that as they await the day of their wedding,
they will grow in mutual respect and in their love for
one another; that through their companionship and
prayer together they will prepare themselves rightly
and chastely for marriage.
One of those present or the leader reads a text of sacred Scripture.
The intercessions are then said.
Leader: God our Father has so loved us that in Christ he
makes us his children and the witnesses of his love before
the entire world. Let us, therefore, call upon him in all
confidence, saying:
R/. Lord, help us to remain always in your love.
God our Father, you willed that your true children,
brothers and sisters in Christ, should be known by their
love for one another. R/.
You place upon us the sweet demands of love so that we
may find happiness by responding to them. R/.
You call N. and N. to the communion of life and love that
binds the Christian family together, mind and heart. R/.
The engaged couple may exchange rings or some other
gift that signifies their pledge to each other.
One of the parents may bless these gifts:
N. and N., in due course may you honor the sacred
pledge symbolized by these gifts which you now
exchange.
R/. Amen.
The leader says the prayer of blessing with hands
joined.
We praise you, Lord, for your gentle plan draws
together your children, N. and N., in love for one
another. Strengthen their hearts, so that they will
keep faith with each other, please you in all
things, and so come to the happiness of
celebrating the sacrament of their marriage. We
ask this through Christ our Lord.
R/. Amen.
The leader concludes the rite by signing himself or herself with the
sign of the cross and saying:
May the God of love and peace abide in you, guide your steps, and
confirm your hearts in his love, now and forever.
R/. Amen.
Blessing of a Son or Daughter Before Marriage
In the days immediately before the wedding, the family may gather
around its member who is to be married, perhaps at a special meal in
the family’s home.
All make the sign of the cross. A parent begins:
Let us bless the Lord, by whose goodness we live and by whose
grace we love one another. Blessed be God forever.
R/. Blessed be God forever.
Then the Scripture is read:
Listen to the words of the Book of Deuteronomy: 6:4-7
Hear, O Israel! The Lord is our God, the Lord alone!
Therefore, you shall love the Lord, your God, with all
your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your
strength. Take to heart these words which I enjoin on
you today. Drill them into your children. Speak of
them at home and abroad, whether you are busy or at
rest.
Reader: The Word of the Lord.
R/. Thanks be to God.
The parents may give a Bible or crucifix to the one who is to be
married. Then all join in prayers of intercession for the couple to be
married and for the world. After the Lord’s Prayer, the parents and
other family members place their hands on the head of their son or
daughter as one or both parents speak the blessing.
May the Lord, who gave you into our care and made you a joy to our
home, bless you and keep you.
R/. Amen.
May the Lord, who turns the hearts of parents to their children and
the hearts of children to their parents, smile on you and be kind to
you.
R/. Amen.
May the Lord, who delights in our love for one another, turn toward
you and give you peace.
R/. Amen.
All make the sign of the cross as the leader concludes:
May the God of love and peace abide in you, guide your steps, and
confirm your heart in his love, now and forever.
R/. Amen.
Table Blessing for Weddings
This blessing may be used before the meal at a wedding reception. A
member of the wedding party or one of the parents of the newly
married couple may serve as the leader.
When everyone has gathered at table and the meal is ready to be
served, all make the sign of the cross.
Leader: Blessed be God who has brought us together in joy.
R/. Blessed be God forever.
The leader introduces the blessing in these or similar words:
We have gathered here to celebrate the love of N. and N. God has
brought them together, and we pray that God will hold them in his
love always. As the food we share will strengthen our bodies, may
our time together strengthen the love that binds us.
After a time of silence, the leader prays:
Let us pray. Lord God, you sustain all creatures and never cease
to give your children the food they need. We bless you for bringing
us together in the love that unites us around this table where the food
we take strengthens our bodies. We pray that, nourished by your
Word, we may grow ever stronger in faith as we strive for the
coming of your Kingdom. We ask this through Christ our Lord.

R/. Amen.

The leader says the prayer of blessing with hands joined.

Lord God and Creator, we bless and praise your name. In the
beginning you made man and woman, so that they might enter a
communion of life and love. You likewise blessed the union of N.
and N., so that they might reflect the union of Christ with his
Church: look with kindness on them today. Amid the joys and
struggles of their life you have preserved the union between them;
renew their marriage covenant, increase your love in them, and
strengthen their bond of peace, so that (surrounded by their children)
they may always rejoice in the gift of your blessing. We ask this
through Christ our Lord.

R/. Amen.

The leader concludes the rite by signing himself or herself with the
sign of the cross and saying:

May the God of hope fill us with every joy in believing. May the
peace of Christ abound in our hearts. May the Holy Spirit enrich us
with his gifts, Now and forever.

R/. Amen.