The Blessing of a Civil Marriage

The Rite begins as prescribed for celebrations of the Holy Eucharist,
using the Collect and Lessons appointed in the Marriage service.

After the Gospel (and homily), the husband and wife stand before the
Celebrant, who addresses them in these or similar words

N. and N., you have come here today to seek the blessing of
God and of his Church upon your marriage. I require,
therefore, that you promise, with the help of God, to fulfill
the obligations which Christian Marriage demands.

The Celebrant then addresses the husband, saying

N., you have taken N. to be your wife. Do you promise to
love her, comfort her, honor and keep her, in sickness and in
health; and, forsaking all others, to be faithful to her as long
as you both shall live?

The Husband answers    I do.

The Celebrant then addresses the wife, saying

N., you have taken N. to be your husband.  Do you promise
to love him, comfort him, honor and keep him, in sickness
and in health; and, forsaking all others, to be faithful to him
as long as you both shall live?

The Wife answers    I do.

Blessing of a Marriage    433

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The Celebrant then addresses the congregation, saying

Will you who have witnessed these promises do all in your
power to uphold these two persons in their marriage?

People    We will.

If a ring or rings are to be blessed, the wife extends her hand (and the
husband extends his hand) toward the Priest, who says

Bless, O Lord, this ring 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 Celebrant joins the right hands of the husband and wife and says

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

The Congregation responds    Amen.

The service continues with The Prayers on page 428.

434    Blessing of a Marriage

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