THE FORM OF

SOLEMNIZATION OF MATRIMONY

2. No Clergyman shall perform the Marriage Service, nor shall he permit it to be performed in the church which he serves, for parties who are within the forbidden decrees as specified in Appendix XXVIII, nor for parties either of whom has had a previous marriage dissolved quoad civilia in a civil Court, so long as the other spouse in the marriage so dissolved remains alive. This section shall not apply to cases in which a decree of nullity of marriage ab initio has been pronounced by a civil Court.

4. The solemnization of marriages shall take place in church, except with the written sanction of the Bishop.

If the Minister publish in the church the Banns of them that are to be married together, he shall say,

    I publish the Banns of Marriage between N. of —— and N. of ——. If any of you know cause, or just impediment, why these two persons should not be joined together in Holy Matrimony, ye are to declare it.

 
THE INTRODUCTION

At the day and time appointed for solemnization of Matrimony, the persons to be married shall come into the body of the church with their friends and neighbours: and there standing together, the man on the right hand, and the woman on the left, the Priest shall say,

DEARLY beloved, we are gathered together here in the sight of God, and in the face of this Congregation, to join together this man and this woman in Holy Matrimony; which is an honourable estate, instituted of God in the time of man's innocency, signifying unto us the mystical union that is betwixt Christ and his Church; which holy estate Christ adorned and beautified with his presence, and first miracle that he wrought, in Cana of Galilee; and is commended in Holy Writ to be honourable among all men: and therefore is not by any to be taken in band unadvisedly, lightly, or wantonly; but reverently, discreetly, advisedly, soberly, and in the fear of God; duly considering the chief causes for which Matrimony was ordained.
    It was ordained for the increase of mankind according to the will of God, and that children might be brought up in the fear and nurture of the Lord, and to the praise of his holy Name.
    It was also ordained for the mutual society, help, and comfort that the one ought to have of the other, both in prosperity and adversity.
    Into which holy estate these two persons present come now to be joined. Therefore if any man can shew any just cause, why they may not lawfully be joined together, let him now declare it.

I REQUIRE and charge you both, as ye will answer at the dreadful day of judgement, when the secrets of all hearts shall be disclosed, that if either of you know any impediment, why ye may not be lawfully joined together in Matrimony, ye do now confess it. For be ye well assured, that so many as are coupled together otherwise than God's word doth allow are not joined together by God; neither is their Matrimony lawful.

At which day of Marriage, if any man do allege and declare any impediment, why they may not be coupled together in Matrimony, by God's law, or the laws of this Realm; and will be bound, and sufficient sureties with him, to the parties; or else put in a caution (to the full value of such charges as the persons to be married do thereby sustain) to prove his allegation: then the solemnization must be deferred, until such time as the truth be tried.

 
THE MARRIAGE

If no impediment be alleged, then shall the Priest say unto the man,

N. WILT thou have this woman to thy wedded wife, to live together after God's ordinance in the holy estate of Matrimony? Wilt thou love her, comfort her, honour and keep her, in sickness and in health; and, forsaking all other, keep thee only unto her, so long as ye both shall live?

I will.

Then shall the Priest say unto the woman,

N. WILT thou have this man to thy wedded husband, to live together after God's ordinance in the holy estate of Matrimony? Wilt thou love him, comfort, honour, and keep him, in sickness and in health; and, forsaking all other, keep thee only unto him, so long as ye both shall live?

I will.

Who giveth this woman to be married to this man?

Then shall they give their troth to each other in this manner. The Priest, receiving the woman at her father's or friend's hands, shall cause the man with his right hand to take the woman by her right hand, and to say after him as followeth.

I N. take thee N. to my wedded 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, till death us do part, according to God's holy ordinance; and thereto I plight thee my troth.

Then shall they loose their hands; and the woman, with her right hand taking the man by his right hand, shall likewise say after the Priest,

I N. take thee N. to my wedded 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 till death us do part, according to God's holy ordinance; and thereto I give thee my troth.

Then shall they again loose their hands; and the man shall give unto the woman a ring, laying the same upon the book. And the Priest, taking the ring, shall say,

BLESS this ring, O merciful Lord, that he who giveth and she who weareth it may ever be faithful one to another; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Then shall he deliver the ring unto the man, to put it upon the fourth finger of the woman's left hand. And the man holding the ring there, and taught by the Priest, shall say,

WITH this ring I thee wed, with my body I thee honour, and all my worldly goods with thee I share: In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.

Then the man leaving the ring upon the fourth finger of the woman s left hand, they shall both kneel down; and the Priest shall say (the Congregation standing),

O ETERNAL God, Creator and Preserver of all mankind, giver of all spiritual grace, the author of everlasting life: Send thy blessing upon these thy servants, this man and this woman, whom we bless in thy Name; that, living faith fully together, they may surely perform and keep the vow and covenant betwixt them made, (whereof this ring given and received is a token and pledge,) and may ever remain in perfect love and peace together. and live according to thy laws; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Then shall the Priest join their right hands together, and say,

THOSE whom God hath joined together let no man put asunder.

FORASMUCH as N. and N. have consented to ether in holy wedlock, and have witnessed the same before God and this company, and thereto have given and pledged their troth either to other, and have declared the same by giving and receiving of a ring, and by joining of hands; I pronounce that they be man and wife together, In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.

GOD the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Ghost, bless, preserve, and keep you; the Lord mercifully with his favour look upon you, and so fill you with all spiritual benediction and grace, that ye may so live together in this life, that in the world to come ye may have life everlasting. Amen.

 
THE BENEDICTION

PSALM 128. Beati omnes.

BLESSED are all they that fear the Lord and walk in his ways.
    2 For thou shalt eat the labours of thine hands : O well is thee, and happy shalt thou be.
    3 Thy wife shall be as the fruitful vine : upon the walls of thine house.
    4 Thy children like the olive-branches : round about thy table.
    5 Lo, thus shall the man be blessed : that feareth the Lord.
    6 The Lord from out of Sion shall so bless thee : that thou shalt see Jerusalem in prosperity all thy life long.
    7 Yea, that thou shalt see thy children's children : and peace upon Israel.
    Glory be to the Father, and to the Son : and to the Holy Ghost;
    As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be : world without end. Amen.

PSALM 67. Deus misereatur.

GOD be merciful unto us, and bless us : and shew us the light of his countenance, and be merciful unto us:
    2 That thy way may be known upon earth : thy saving health among all nations.
    3 Let the people praise thee, O God : yea, let all the people praise thee.
    4 O let the nations rejoice and be glad : for thou shalt judge the folk righteously, and govern the nations upon earth.
    5 Let the people praise thee, O God : let all the people praise thee.
    6 Then shall the earth bring forth her increase : and God, even our own God, shall give us his blessing.
    7 God shall bless us : and all the ends of the world shall fear him.
    Glory be to the Father, and to the Son : and to the Holy Ghost;
    As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be : world without end. Amen.

PSALM 37. Spera in Domino.

PUT thou thy trust in the Lord, and be doing good : dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed.
    4 Delight thou in the Lord : and he shall give thee thy heart's desire.
    5 Commit thy way unto the Lord, and put thy trust in him : and he shall bring it to pass.
    6 He shall make thy righteousness as clear as the light and thy just dealing as the noon-day.
    7 Hold thee still in the Lord : and abide patiently upon him.
    Glory be to the Father, and to the Son and to the Holy Ghost;
    As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be : world without end. Amen.

The Psalm ended, the people shall kneel, and the man and the woman kneeling before the Lord's Table, the Priest standing at the Table, and turning his face towards them, shall say,

Let us pray.

Lord, have mercy upon us.
    Christ, have mercy upon us.
Lord, have mercy upon us.

OUR Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy Name, Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, in earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; And forgive us our trespasses, As we forgive them that trespass against us; And lead us not into temptation, But deliver us from evil. Amen.

    Priest. O Lord, save thy servant, and thy handmaid;
    Answer. Who put their trust in thee.
    Priest. O Lord, send them help from thy holy place;
    Answer. And evermore defend them.
    Priest. Be unto them a tower of strength;
    Answer. From the face of their enemy.
    Priest. O Lord, hear our prayer;
    Answer. And let our cry come unto thee.

O GOD of our fathers, bless these thy servants, and sow the seed of eternal life in their hearts; that whatsoever in thy holy word they shall profitably learn, they may in deed fulfil the same; that so, obeying thy will and alway being in safety under thy protection, they may abide in thy love unto their lives' end; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

This prayer next following shall be omitted where the woman is past child-bearing.

O ALMIGHTY God, Creator of mankind, who only art the well-spring of life: Bestow upon these thy servants, if it be thy will, the gift and heritage of children; and grant that they may see their children brought up in thy faith and fear to the honour and glory of thy Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

O GOD, who hast taught us that it should never be lawful to put asunder those whom thou by Matrimony hadst made one, and hast consecrated the state of Matrimony to such an excellent mystery, that in it is signified and represented the spiritual marriage and unity betwixt Christ and his Church: Look mercifully upon these thy servants that both this man may love his wife, according to thy word, (as Christ did love his spouse the Church, who gave himself for it,) and also that this woman may love her husband faithfully, and in all quietness, sobriety, and peace be a follower of holy and godly matrons. O Lord, bless them both, and grant them to inherit thy everlasting kingdom; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

ALMIGHTY God, who from the beginning hath sanctified and joined together man and woman in marriage: Pour upon you the riches of his grace, sanctify and bless you, that ye may please him both in body and soul, and live together in holy love unto your lives' end. Amen.

If there be a Sermon, it shall follow here; or the Address in the Book of Common Prayer of the Church of England (1662), or a portion of Holy Scripture may be read.

If there be no Communion at the time of the Marriage, the Priest shall dismiss those that are gathered together, saying,

Let us pray.

O ALMIGHTY Lord, and Everlasting God, vouchsafe, we beseech thee, to direct, sanctify, and govern, both our hearts and bodies, in the ways of thy laws, and in the works of thy commandments; that through thy most mighty protection, both here and ever, we may be preserved in body and soul; through our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.

THE blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the and the Holy Ghost, be upon you and remain with you for ever. Amen.

It is desirable that the man and woman should receive the Holy Communion on the day of their Marriage, or at the first opportunity after their Marriage.

 
THE COMMUNION

O HEAVENLY Father, who didst join together in marriage our first parents, Adam and Eve: Sanctify and bless these thy servants; and grant that those whom thou by Matrimony dost make one may stedfastly keep the covenant betwixt them made, and ever remain in perfect love and peace together; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

The Epistle. Ephesians 5. 25.

HUSBANDS, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the Church, and gave himself for it; that he might sanctity and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, that he might present it to himself a glorious Church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish. So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself. For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the Church: for we are members of his body. For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall become one flesh. This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the Church. Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband.

The Gospel. St. Matthew 19. 4.

JESUS answered and said unto the Pharisees, Have ye not read, that he which made them at the beginning made them male and female, and said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall become one flesh? Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.

  A FORM OF BENEDICTION OF MARRIED PERSONS

(Canon xxx. 3.)

This Form may be used only if the clergyman is satisfied that the marriage is not contrary to Canon xxx. 2.

FORASMUCH as our Lord hath said, What God hath joined together let not man put asunder, and forasmuch as ye have been joined together in Holy Matrimony, and have now come hither to ask for the blessing of the Church thereon, I ask you both whether ye are willing to promise by the help of God to fulfil the obligations which Christian marriage demandeth.

Then shall the Priest say unto the man,

N. DOST thou promise to love this thy wife, to comfort her, honour and keep her, in sickness and in health; and, forsaking all other, to keep thee only unto her, so long as ye both shall live?

I do.

Then shall the Priest say unto the woman,

N. DOST thou promise to love this thy husband, to comfort, honour, and keep him, in sickness and in health; and, forsaking all other, to keep thee only unto him, so long as ye both shall live?

I do.

Let us pray.

Lord, have mercy upon us.
    Christ, have mercy upon us.
Lord, have mercy upon us.

OUR Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy Name, Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, in earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; And forgive us our trespasses, As we forgive them that trespass against us; And lead us not into temptation, But deliver us from evil. Amen.

    Priest. O Lord, save thy servant, and thy handmaid;
    Answer. Who put their trust in thee.
    Priest. O Lord, send them help from thy holy place;
    Answer. And evermore defend them.
    Priest. Be unto them a tower of strength;
    Answer. From the face of their enemy.
    Priest. O Lord, hear our prayer;
    Answer. And let our cry come unto thee.

O ETERNAL God, Creator and Preserver of all mankind, giver of all spiritual grace, the author of everlasting life: Send thy blessing upon these thy servants, this man and this woman, whom we bless in thy Name; that, living faithfully together, they may surely perform and keep the vow and covenant betwixt them made, (whereof this ring given and received is a token and pledge,) and may ever remain in perfect love and peace together, and live according to thy laws; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

O GOD of our fathers, bless these thy servants, and sow the seed of eternal life in their hearts; that whatsoever in thy holy word they shall profitably learn, they may in deed fulfil the same; that so, obeying thy will and alway being in safety under thy protection, they may abide in thy love unto their lives' end; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

This prayer next following shall be omitted where the woman is past child-bearing.

O ALMIGHTY God, Creator of mankind, who only art the well-spring of life: Bestow upon these thy servants, if it be thy will, the gift and heritage of children; and grant that they may see their children brought up in thy faith and fear to the honour and glory of thy Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

O GOD, who hast taught us that it should never be lawful to put asunder those whom thou by Matrimony hadst made one, and hast consecrated the state of Matrimony to such an excellent mystery, that in it is signified and represented the spiritual marriage an d unity betwixt Christ and his Church: Look mercifully upon these thy servants, that both this man may love his wife, according to thy word, (as Christ did love his spouse the Church, who gave himself for it,) and also that this woman may love her husband faithfully, and in all quietness, sobriety, and peace, be a follower of holy and godly matrons. O Lord, bless them both, and grant them to inherit thy everlasting kingdom; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

And the Priest shall add this Blessing.

GOD the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Ghost, bless, preserve, and keep you; the Lord mercifully with his favour look upon you, and so fill you with all spiritual benediction and grace, that ye may so live together in this life, that in the world to come ye may have life everlasting. Amen.

CODE OF CANONS, APPENDIX NO. XXVI