GUIDELINES FOR PREPARING THE WEDDING LITURGY

GUIDELINES

FOR

PREPARING

THE WEDDING

LITURGY

Diocese of Lansing

Introduction

Congratulations on your engagement! Your wedding and marriage are important to you, your family,

and your parish family. The entire Church rejoices in your witness to the enduring love of God.

We offer these guidelines to assist you in the preparation of your wedding liturgy. They should

answer many of your questions, but a meeting with your presider and music minister will be essential.

These pages will help you to prepare for that meeting.

The Time and Place

You will meet with your priest or deacon to discuss many important issues and to complete the

necessary paperwork. When it is time to “set the date,” you should know that a wedding Mass may

take place on any day of the week except those days which are specifically prohibited, namely: all

Sundays of Advent, Lent, and the Easter Season; all solemnities, holy days, and feasts; days within

the Octave of Easter; All Souls Day; Ash Wednesday; and all the days of Holy Week and the Sacred

Triduum.

The marriage of baptized Catholics and Christians should take place in a church to emphasize the

spiritual and sacramental nature of the event. In the Diocese of Lansing, the celebration of marriage

must take place in the parish church or chapel or in another house of worship provided proper

permission has been obtained.

Clergy

In order to be validly married within the Christian community, a baptized Catholic must proclaim

his/her vows before a priest or deacon and two witnesses.

When a Catholic marries a person baptized in another Christian religion, the minister of the non-

Catholic party is, in some cases, welcome to be present at the wedding liturgy. This should be

arranged through your parish priest. In extraordinary circumstances, it is possible for a Catholic

person to be married before a non-Catholic minister provided dispensation from canonical form is

obtained from the bishop’s office. This, too, should be arranged through your parish priest.

The Rite(s) of Marriage

The Church’s Rite of Marriage has three official rites, each addresses a particular pastoral situation

– I) The marriage of two Catholics, II) the marriage of a Catholic and a member of another Christian

community, and III) the marriage of a Catholic and a non-baptized person.

A wedding liturgy outside of Mass might be more familiar to non-Catholic families and guests.

However, if the decision is made to use Rite I, care should be taken to explain the reception of Holy

Communion. Since the Eucharist is a privilege of membership and the highest expression of Catholic

unity, non-Catholic participants would not receive Communion, but may receive a blessing.

The following outlines may be useful as you prepare your wedding liturgy and your wedding program.

[ ] = optional

RITE I – The Rite of Marriage During Mass

[Greeting of the Bride and Groom]

Processional ______________________________

INTRODUCTORY RITE

Opening Hymn ______________________________

Greeting

Opening Prayer

LITURGY OF THE WORD

First Reading ______________________________

(no Old Testament in Easter Season)

Responsorial Psalm ______________________________

Second Reading ______________________________

Gospel Acclamation

Gospel ______________________________

Homily

RITE OF MARRIAGE

Declaration of Intent

Consent

Blessing and Exchange of Rings

Intercessory Prayer

Invitation

Petitions

Concluding Prayer

LITURGY OF THE EUCHARIST

Preparation of the Altar and the Gifts

Presentation Hymn ______________________________

Prayer Over the Gifts

Eucharistic Prayer

Preface

Holy, holy, holy

Memorial Acclamation

Great Amen

Lord's Prayer

Nuptial Blessing

Sign of Peace

Breaking of the Bread Lamb of God

Distribution of Holy Communion

Communion Hymn(s) ___________________________

Prayer After Communion

CONCLUDING RITE

Greeting

Blessing

Dismissal

Recessional __________________________

RITE II – The Rite of Marriage Outside Mass

[Greeting of the Bride and Groom]

Processional

INTRODUCTORY RITE

Opening Hymn ___________________________

Greeting

Opening Prayer

LITURGY OF THE WORD

First Reading ___________________________

Responsorial Psalm ___________________________

Second Reading ___________________________

Gospel Acclamation

Gospel ___________________________

Homily

RITE OF MARRIAGE

Declaration of Intent

Consent

Blessing and Exchange of Rings

Intercessory Prayer

Invitation

Petitions

Nuptial Blessing

CONCLUDING RITE

Lord’s Prayer

Blessing

Recessional ___________________________

RITE III - The Rite of Celebrating Marriage Between a Catholic and a Non-Baptized Person

[Greeting of the Bride and Groom]

Processional

INTRODUCTORY RITE

Opening Hymn ___________________________

Greeting

Opening Prayer

LITURGY OF THE WORD

First Reading ___________________________

Responsorial Psalm ___________________________

[Second Reading] ___________________________

Gospel Acclamation

Gospel ___________________________

Homily

RITE OF MARRIAGE

Declaration of Intent

Consent

Blessing and Exchange of Rings

Intercessory Prayer

Invitation

Petitions

Nuptial Blessing

CONCLUDING RITE

[Lord’s Prayer]

Blessing

Recessional ___________________________

The Role of the Assembly

Since your family and friends have been invited to witness your commitment to each other, to pray

with you and for you, and to offer love and support, their involvement in the liturgy is essential.

The Church asks that all liturgical celebrations be “planned in such a way that it leads to the

conscious, active, and full participation of the faithful both in body and in mind... demanded by the

very nature of the celebration, and to which the Christian people have a right and duty by reason

of their Baptism” (Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy, 14). So the hymns and acclamations that you

choose should encourage this participation. While a soloist may occasionally perform a worthwhile

role, every member of the assembly has a vital role in the liturgy.

A Worship Aid

Some couples may wish to prepare a booklet for their wedding guests. Booklets may vary in detail,

but should contain at least the order of service (see above), the liturgical ministers, and names of the

wedding party. Especially in the case of a marriage between a Catholic and a non-Catholic, or where

a large group of non-practicing Catholics are expected, the assembly’s responses should be included.

If a good quality hymnal is present in the pews, reference numbers might simply be added to the

booklet. When music is printed in a wedding booklet, necessary copyright permissions must be

secured. Scripture texts are never printed in their entirety; merely print the biblical citation. A

personal message from the couple might also be included.

Now that you have a sense of the contents of each rite, the following pages provide greater details,

so that you may carefully choose prayers, readings, and music that are meaningful and suitable.

MUSIC FOR THE PROCESSION

The Processions

Commonly, the groom and his groomsmen wait near the sanctuary, watching as the bridesmaids,

bride, and her father enter the church. However, the Rite of Marriage (nos. 20, 40) indicates that

if there is to be a procession, the bride and groom each enter the church, accompanied by their

parents, their witnesses, as well as the liturgical ministers. The priest may first greet them at the door

of the church. This type of procession better reflects the communal nature of the celebration and

avoids the symbolism of “giving the bride away.”

One still occasionally gets requests for the “traditional” wedding marches. If one knew the history

of some of these pieces, choosing them might be unwise. For example, the processional “Here Comes

the Bride” is from an opera by Richard Wagner. Elsa, a noblewoman, is about to have her lands

confiscated by local barons when Lohengrin arrives and offers to marry her and save her property.

The one condition of the marriage is that she must not ask him about his origins. Unfortunately the

wedding ends tragically just a short time after the “bridal music” is heard, when the bride breaks her

vow and asks Lohengrin where he is from. The “traditional” recessional, “Wedding March,” is from

incidental music for Shakespeare’s, “A Midsummer Night’s Dream”. This comedy is a farce which

ends up making a mockery of marriage. Neither of these works set an appropriate tone for a Christian

marriage.

Processional Music

While not absolutely necessary, there is a trend toward separate music for the attendants and for the

bride. Keep in mind that within the course of any piece, the volume level could be increased

appropriately to announce the entrance of the bride. Several of the following works are also available

for organ and brass or organ and trumpet(s). Some processionals may also be suitable as recessionals.

Sample Processionals

Trumpet Voluntary (Prince of Denmark’s March) Attr. H Purcell / J. Clarke

Rigaudon André Campra

Canon in D Johann Pachelbel

Jesu, Joy of Our Desiring J.S. Bach

Trumpet Tune* David N. Johnson

Fanfare* Gordon Jacob

Grand Choeur Dialogue* Eugene Gigout

Air from Water Music G.F. Handel

*might also be suitable as a recessional

THE INTRODUCTORY RITES

The purpose of the Introductory Rites is to “help the assembled people to become a worshiping

community and to prepare them for listening to God’s word” (General Instruction of the Roman Missal,

24).

Opening Hymn

The use of processional and recessional marches does not eliminate congregational singing at the

beginning nor end of the wedding liturgy. Once all persons are in place, the Opening Hymn begins.

Please note, all upper case letters refer to hymn tunes, upper and lower case letters refer to composers.

Sample Opening Hymns

Hear Us Now, Our God and Father HYFRYDOL

God is Love Haas

Love Divine All Loves Excelling HYFRYDOL

For the Beauty of the Earth DIX

All Creatures of Our God and King LASST UNS ERFREUEN

Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow OLD 100TH

God Whose Giving Knows No Ending RUSTINGTON

Praise to the Lord LOBE DEN HERREN

God, Who Created Hearts to Love LASST UNS ERFREUEN

The Gloria

If a Glory to God is permitted in the season and is prescribed for the Mass, it should be sung. Your

music minister may suggest various settings.

THE LITURGY OF THE WORD

The Lectionary – a book which contains all the Scripture readings used at Mass – has a wonderful

assortment of readings for wedding liturgies. They may be found in nos. 801-805. The readings are

are listed below. Once you have made your selections, choosing a musical setting for the psalm and

the gospel acclamation will be simple. Hymns, too, should complement the readings.

Readings

Old Testament - Lectionary #801

Genesis 1:26-28, 31a

Genesis 2:18-24

Genesis 24:48-51, 58-67

Tobit 7:6-14

Tobit 8:4b-8

Proverbs 31:10-13, 19-20, 30-31

Song of Songs 2:8-10, 14, 16a; 8:6-7a

Sirach 26:1-4, 13-16

Jeremiah 31:31-32a, 33-34a

New Testament - Lectionary #802

Romans 8:31b-35, 37-39

Romans 12:1-2, 9-19 or Romans 12:1-2, 9-13

Romans 15:1b-3a, 5-7, 13

1 Corinthians 6:13c-15a, 17-20

1 Corinthians 12:31 – 13:8a

Ephesians 5:2a, 21-33 or Ephesians 5:2a, 25-32

Philippians 4:4-9

Colossians 3:12-17

Hebrews 13:1-4a, 5-6b

1 Peter 3:1-9

1 John 3:18-24

1 John 4:7-12

Revelation 19:1, 5-9a

The Responsorial Psalm

The Responsorial Psalm immediately follows the

First Reading. Since a psalm is a song, it is

normally sung. Your music minister may suggest

various settings for the psalms.

Please note, the psalm is from Scripture and may

not be replaced by a “song” (GIRM, 61.3).

Responsorial Psalm - Lectionary #803

Psalm 33: 12 and 18, 20-21, 22

The earth is full of the goodness of the Lord.

Psalm 34:2-3, 4-5, 6-7, 8-9

I will bless the Lord at all times.

Taste and see the goodness of the Lord.

Psalm 103:1-2, 8 and 13, 17-18a

The Lord is kind and merciful.

The Lord’s kindness is everlasting to those

who fear him.

Psalm 112:1bc-2, 3-4, 5-7a, 7b-8, 9

Blessed the man who greatly delights in the

Lord’s command.

Alleluia.

Psalm 128:1-2, 3, 4-5

Blessed are those who fear the Lord.

See how the Lord blesses those who fear him.

Psalm 145:8-9, 10 and 15, 17-18

The Lord is compassionate toward all his

works.

Psalm 148:1-2, 3-4, 9-10, 11-13a, 13c-14a

Let all praise the name of the Lord.

Alleluia.

The Gospel Acclamation

This acclamation is always sung. Your music

minister may suggest various settings. The verse

for the acclamation usually relates to the gospel

(see options in Lectionary no. 804).

Alleluia Verse and Verse Before the Gospel -

Lectionary #804

1 John 4:7b Everyone who loves is begotten

of God and knows God.

1 John 4:8b, 11 God is love. If God loved us, we

also must love one another.

1 John 4:12 If we love one another, God

remains in us and his love is

brought to perfection in us.

1 John 4:16 Whoever remains in love,

remains in God and God in him.

Gospel - Lectionary #805

Matthew 5:1-12a

Matthew 5:13-16

Matthew 7:21, 24-29 (or 7:21, 24-25)

Matthew 19:3-6

Matthew 22:35-40

Mark 10:6-9

John 2:1-11

John 15:9-12

John 15:12-16

John 17:20-26 (or 17:20-23)

The main part of the Liturgy of the Word is made up of the readings from Sacred Scripture together with the

chants occurring between them. The homily, Profession of Faith, and Prayer of the Faithful, however, develop

and conclude this part of the Mass.

For in the readings, as explained by the homily, God speaks to his people, opening up to them the mystery

of redemption and salvation, and offering them spiritual nourishment; and Christ himself is present in the

midst of the faithful through his word. By their silence and singing the people make God’s word their own,

and they also affirm their adherence to it by means of the Profession of Faith. Finally, having been nourished

by it, they pour out their petitions in the Prayer of the Faithful for the needs of the entire Church and for the

salvation of the whole world.

– General Instruction of the Roman Missal, no. 55

... The liturgy of the word is extremely helpful in emphasizing the meaning of the sacrament and the

obligations of marriage. When the Wedding Mass can not be used, one of the readings [above] should be

chosen except from Holy Thursday to Easter and on the solemnities of Christmas, Epiphany, Ascension,

Pentecost, the Body and Blood of Christ and other holy days of obligation. On the Sundays of the

Christmas season and throughout the year, in Masses which are not parish Masses, the wedding Mass may

be used without change.

– Rite of Marriage Introduction, no. 11

THE RITE OF MARRIAGE

The Vows / The Declaration of Consent

The ministers of the sacrament of marriage are the bride and groom. This reality is made manifest

as the vows are solemnly proclaimed. In the exchange of vows, the man and woman declare the

acceptance of one another as husband and wife, pledge mutual fidelity, and affirm the permanence

of marriage. A form of the approved vows contained in the Rite of Marriage should be used. There

are two acceptable forms – a recitation of the vow or a simple interrogative form followed by “I do.”

It is important that the bride and groom should be visible to the assembly and their words heard by

all present.

The Unity Candle and Other Options

Though currently very popular in many churches in the United States, the unity candle is a

commercial product that is not part of the Catholic marriage rite. The real symbols of the sacrament

are the bride and groom themselves. Rings or other symbols from particular cultures, e.g., arras

(coins) and lazo (wedding cord) may be used after consultation with your presider.

The presentation of a bouquet to an image of the Blessed Mother is an expression of personal piety

and is not part of public worship. This optional devotion may occur near the end of the liturgy, after

the Final Blessing.

After the exchange of vows and rings, after Communion, or at another appropriate time, many

couples may wish to recite together a personally composed Prayer of the Couple.

If your marriage takes place within Mass, the liturgy will continue with the Liturgy of the Eucharist.

THE LITURGY OF THE EUCHARIST

Presentation Hymn

“At the beginning of the Liturgy of the Eucharist, the gifts, which will become Christ’s Body and

Blood, are brought to the altar... It is praiseworthy for the bread and wine to be presented by the

faithful... Once the offerings have been placed on the altar and the accompanying rites completed,

the invitation to pray with the priest and the Prayer Over the Gifts conclude the preparation of the

gifts...” (GIRM 73.1, 73.3, 77). During this time, instrumental music may be played or a hymn may

be sung by the assembly. The time required for this rite is brief, so you might choose a piece of

appropriate length.

Sample Presentation Hymns

A Nuptial Blessing Joncas

Blessing the Marriage SUSSEX CAROL

Bridegroom and Bride SLANE

God, in the Planning SLANE

How Happy You Who Fear the Lord LAND OF REST

In Love We Choose to Live Jeanne Cotter

Jesu, Joy of Our Desiring Bach; WERDE MUNTER

Like Olive Branches Deiss

Lives Brought Together Schutte

Lord of All Hopefulness SLANE

Love is the Sunlight BUNESSAN; SHADE

Love Which Never Ends Sands

May God Bless You Van Grieken

May Love Be Ours HEAVEN’S ANGELS

Not for Tongues of Heaven’s Angels Joncas

O Perfect Love Barnaby

The Greatest Gift Marchionda

These Two Now Joined Schaffer

Ubi Caritas (Where love is, there is God) Taizé; chant

We Will Serve the Lord Haas; Cooney

Where Charity and Love Prevail CHRISTIAN LOVE

Where There is Love Haas

Where Love is Found O WALY WALY

Wherever You Go Norbert; Haas

Acclamations during the Eucharistic Prayer

Your parish musician(s) will know the settings with which your assembly is familiar. Please rely on

their experience. If most of your guests are from another parish, it might be helpful to contact the

musician in that parish, so that the two musicians might have the opportunity to talk about familiar

settings.

Nuptial Blessing

The Nuptial Blessing may be found in the Rite of Marriage (nos. 33, 34, 120, 121). It may be recited

or sung after the Lord’s Prayer or during the Concluding Rite.

Some composers have set blessings to music. Rarely are these based on official texts, nor should they

substitute for the presider’s Nuptial Blessing. A list of these follows. The majority of these pieces

provide responses to be sung by the congregation. These responses may be printed in the worship aid

so that the people may sing their part.

Bless Us This Day Rob Glover

Nuptial Blessing: May You Be Filled David Haas

O God, Send Your Blessing David Haas

God Be with You AR HYD Y NOS, arr. David Haas

Hear Us Now, Our God and Father HYFRYDOL, arr. deBruyn

May the Light of Christ James Chepponis

A Nuptial Blessing Michael Joncas

Dios Nos Bendiga / May God Bless Us Manibusan/Adauto

A Dominican Blessing James Marcionda

At the Last Supper Christ instituted the Paschal Sacrifice and banquet, by which the Sacrifice of the Cross

is continuously made present in the Church whenever the priest, representing Christ the Lord, carries out

what the Lord himself did and handed over to his disciples to be done in his memory.

– General Instruction of the Roman Missal, no. 72

Communion Hymn(s)

The Communion Procession is one of the major processions of the Mass. While we process, we sing.

This is a sign of our unity as we receive the sacrament of unity. We sing from the moment the priest

first partakes of Holy Communion until the last person receives. Depending on the size of the

assembly, one or more hymns may be required.

A responsorial form of singing (similar to the way we frequently sing a psalm) can be an appropriate

way to sing a Communion hymn since the assembly is moving and singing at the same time. When

sung outside the Liturgy of the Word, psalms may be arranged in a hymn setting. For example, Psalm

34 [Taste and see the goodness of the Lord] is a Communion psalm par excellence.

Sample Communion Songs

Blest Are They Haas

Bread of Life Farrell

Bread for the World Farrell

Come to the Banquet Chepponis

Come and Eat This Living Bread ADORO TE DEVOTE

Draw Us in the Spirit’s Tether UNION SEMINARY

Gift of Finest Wheat (You Satisfy the Hungry Heart) BICENTENNIAL

I Received the Living God LIVING GOD

In Remembrance of You Tate

Let Us Be Bread Porter

Love is His Word Connaughton

Now in This Banquet Haugen

O Blessed Savior Brubaker

One Communion of Love Marchionda

One Bread, One Body Foley

Receive in Your Heart DiFalco

Take and Eat Joncas

Taste and See various

Ubi Caritas (Where love is, there is God) various

We Know and Believe Glover

With This Bread Cuddy

THE CONCLUDING RITE

The Concluding Rite is brief, but contains important elements – a Greeting, Blessing, Dismissal, and

an optional Closing Hymn. Recessional Music may accompany the procession of the bride and

groom, the bridal party, and the liturgical ministers.

Several options for the Final Blessing are provided in the Rite of Marriage (nos. 125-127).

Sample Closing Hymns

Joyful, Joyful We Adore Thee ODE TO JOY

Now Thank We All Our God NUN DANKET

God We Praise You NETTLETON

Praise My Soul the King of Heaven LAUDA ANIMA

Let All Things Now Living ASH GROVE

Love is the Sunlight BUNNESAN

Hear Us Now, O God Our Maker HYFRYDOL

Sample Instrumental Recessionals

Crown Imperial William Walton

Entracte to Act III of Saul G.F. Handel

Fanfare Jean-Joseph Mouret

Finale from Symphony #6 Charles Marie Widor

Finale from Symphony #1 Louis Vierne

Hornpipe from Water Music G.F. Handel

Sinfonia to Cantata #29 J.S. Bach

Toccata in G Théodore Dubois

Toccata from Symphony #5 Charles Marie Widor

Toccata in Seven John Rutter

Trumpet Voluntary Henry Purcell

Trumpet Voluntary John Stanley

Trumpet Tune #1 Aaron David Miller

MUSIC IN GENERAL

Hymns and Songs – Texts Are Important

The suitability of texts sung at your wedding is an important consideration, as the words sung in the

liturgy should “... always be in conformity with Catholic doctrine. Indeed, they should be drawn

chiefly from Sacred Scripture and from liturgical sources” (Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy, 121.3).

In addition, “the music selected must express the prayer of those who celebrate, while at the same

time guarding against the imposition of private meanings on public rites” (Liturgical Music Today, 12).

“Married Christians share in the mystery of the unity that exists between Christ and his Church”

(Rite of Marriage, 33, Nuptial Blessing). Popular love songs often stress the couple only and exclude

God and the Church community. While they may say good things, they often don’t say enough about

the Author of Love and God’s ongoing role in a Christian marriage. The following principles may be

used to judge the appropriateness of any text.

Those texts are suitable which:

•speak explicitly of the Christian, religious dimension of love

•express trust in, thanksgiving to, or praise to God

•support the action of the liturgy

(e.g. a Communion song at the Communion Rite)

Unsuitable texts are those that:

•explicitly deny the Christian dimension of love

(e.g. texts that imply “my life has no meaning without you”

or “life isn’t worth living without you”)

•fail to mention God (or only mention God by implication)

•only faintly allude to the Christian dimension of love

Principles of Worthy Music: The Musical, Liturgical, and Pastoral Judgments

The 1972 document, “Music in Catholic Worship,” provides sound guidelines for selecting worthy

music for any liturgical celebration. “To determine the value of a given musical element in a

liturgical celebration, a threefold judgment must be made: musical, liturgical, and pastoral” (MCW

25). These principles may be summarized as follows:

the musical judgment Is the music itself of good quality? Does it have

integrity as a piece of music? “This judgement

is basic and primary and should be made by

competent musicians” (26).

“although all liturgical music should be good,

not all good music is suitable to the liturgy”

(29).

the liturgical judgment “Is the music’s text, form, placement and style

congruent with the nature of the liturgy?”

(LMT 29).

Does the music “correspond to the sacred

character of the celebration and the place of

worship” (40)

the pastoral judgment “Does [this] music enable these people to

express their faith, in this place, in this age, in

this culture?” (39).

These principles, then, exclude many popular love songs. Songs of this type are more appropriately

used at the wedding reception and should not be used either before, during, or after the wedding

liturgy.

Discuss with your parish musician(s) how the assembly may best participate in your wedding liturgy.

Consult him/her for suitable music selections. “Great care should be taken, especially at marriages,

that all the people are involved at the important moments of the celebration... and above all that the

liturgy is prayer for all present, not a theatrical production” (Music in Catholic Worship, 82).

Avoid buying wedding CD’s. Many of these are put together with orchestral music and don’t take

into account the fact that most churches have organs or pianos. Orchestral music played on the

organ or piano simply will not sound the way it does on the CD and disappointment may well result.

In addition, parish musicians have differing abilities and repertoires and may not have available any

or all of the pieces you have selected from the CD.

There is no substitute for meeting with the pastoral musician(s) in your parish, and working directly

with them in planning your wedding liturgy.

OTHER MUSIC SUGGESTIONS

All music suggestions, above and following, are provided as a starting point in planning music for

your wedding liturgy. These lists are not exhaustive, but only provide examples of the principles

outlined above. Since the participation of the assembly is vital to any liturgical celebration, solos

should be restricted to the prelude or postlude, that is, before the liturgy begins or after it concludes.

Selected Solos

A Ring of Gold (Concordia; the following are available separately; all are hymn-tune based)

Love is the Sunlight BUNESSAN

When Jesus to the Wedding Went AZMON

The Lamps That Light This Wedding Day TALLIS’ CANON

The Days of the Summer KRESMER

Now with Thanksgiving SLANE

When God Designed Creation AURELIA

Within the Arc of Grace RHOSYMEDRE

A Wedding Song Carroll

Behold, Thus is the Man Blessed Ferris

Beloved, Let Us Love One Another Siebert; Busarow

God of Love, O God of Goodness Bisbee

Lord, May Their Lives Carroll

Lord Who at Cana’s Wedding Feast Busarow

Love Song Kreutz

My Beloved Speaks Siebert

O Perfect Love Kreutz

Psalm 128 (not in responsorial format) Wetzler

Sacred Trust Kreutz

Seven Wedding Songs (Concordia; the following are available separately)

Thou Wilt Keep Him in Perfect Peace

Entreat Me Not to Leave Thee

Walk in Love

Love, in Christ

Come, Lord Jesus, to This Place

This Love

Happy Are You Who Fear the Lord

The Call Ralph Vaughan-Williams

The Gift of Love Hopson

The Greatest of These is Love Moe

The Lasting Joy Keesecker

This Love, O Christ Schubkegel

Three Wedding Songs Powell

Our Heart Shall Rejoice in the Lord

Blessed Are Those Who Fear the Lord

May the Lord Watch Over this House

Walk in Love Powell

Wedding Song – Set Me as a Seal Pinkham

Wedding Song – Blessed is Everyone who Fears the Lord Bender

Wedding Song – Wherever you Go Gieseke

When Love is Found Fedak

Where Love is Found Haas

CONCLUSION

This booklet has been designed to make preparing your wedding liturgy an enjoyable and enriching

experience. It has offered sample music, rationale for its proper selection, and brief liturgical

catechesis. There is no substitute for working closely with your presider and parish musicians. May

your choice of scripture and music give praise to God, sanctify your day, and “grant you to share in

the mystery of that unity and fruitful love which exists between Christ and his Church” (Rite of

Marriage 1, cf. Eph. 5:32).

Bishop Carl F. Mengeling

January 25, 2007

Office of Worship a Diocese of Lansing

517-342-2480

Art by Rev. Francis George

Art by Rev. Steven Erspamer

Art from The Image Book