(All make the sign of the cross as the minister says:)
Our help is in the name of the Lord.
All: Who made heaven and earth.
Reader: John 15:9, 10, 11
Jesus said: “Remain in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and remain in his love. “I have told you this so that my joy might be in you and your joy might be complete.”
The Gospel of the Lord.
All: Praise to you Lord Jesus Christ.
(A minister who is a priest or deacon says the prayer of blessing with hands outstretched over the person; a lay minister says the prayer with hands joined.)
Almighty and eternal God,
you have so exalted the unbreakable bond of marriage that it has become the sacramental sign of your Son’s union with the Church as his spouse. Look with favor on N. and N., whom you have united in marriage, as they ask for your help and the protection of the Virgin Mary. They pray that in good times and in bad they will grow in love for each other; that they will resolve to be of one heart in the bond of peace.
Lord, in their struggles let them rejoice that you are near to help them; in their needs let them know that you are there to rescue them; in their joys let them see that you are the source and completion of every happiness.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
All: Amen.
(If a priest is present, he concludes the rite by saying:)
May God bless you with his mercy, strengthen you with his love, and enable you to walk in charity and peace.
All: Amen.
And may almighty God bless you all, the Father, and the Son, + and the Holy Spirit.
All: Amen.
(A lay minister concludes the rite by signing himself or herself with the sign of the cross and saying:)
May God bless us with his mercy, strengthen us with his love, and enable us to walk in charity and peace.
All: Amen.