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| Photo by Adam Sparkes Photographry via TwoFoot Creative |
Filipino wedding ceremonies are characterized by a series of traditional rites that signify the basic virtues of marriage and the important role that family and friends play in their transmission. Similar rites are found in Catholic Latin America and Europe .
You can include the following into your wedding programs and substitute the couple's names for Bride and Groom.
Blessing and exchange of rings
The ring, a never-ending circle, is a symbol of eternal love and represents the everlasting commitment of marriage between Bride and Groom.
Placing of the veil
The veil placed over the shoulder of Bride and Groom to represent the unity of their two families as one. It also signifies Groom’s pledge of strength and protection to Bride.
Blessing and Giving of Coins
The thirteen coins, also known as arras [ah-ras] or arrhae [ar-rah-he] are presented to Bride by Groom. This act represents the groom’s dedication to the welfare of his bride and signifies their commitment to mutually contribute to their
relationship, their children, and to their community.
Lighting of the Unity Candle
The candles symbolize the light of Christ, the same light that Bride and Groom received at baptism and now receive again to lead them in their new lives
as a couple. A single candle will be lit to symbolize their new lives together, kindled as one.
Placing of the Cord
The cord, which is draped over the shoulders of Bride and Groom in the form of a figure-eight, is a symbol of the bride and groom’s bond of marriage, a lifelong union bound by mutual love, fidelity, and friendship.
Godparents/Sponsors
Commonly referred to as ninongs and ninangs (godfathers and godmothers), these are men and women whom the newlyweds admire. They are, as in the early days of the Church, sponsors attesting to the couple’s readiness of marriage and the freedom to marry. After the wedding, they serve as the couple’s role models and advisors in the ways of husband and wife.
The Rite of Marriage occur after the Homily and before the Prayers of the Faithful. Here is a sample "script."
Pastor:
Our beloved friends, Bride and Groom, you have come together in this Church so that the Lord may seal and strengthen your love in the presence of the Church minister and this community. Christ abundantly blesses this love. He has already consecrated you in baptism and now he enriches and strengthens you by a special sacrament that you may assume the duties of marriage in mutual and lasting fidelity. And so, in the presence of the Church, I ask you to state your intentions.
Pastor to Bride:
Bride, did you come here of your own free will, to bind yourself to each other in the Sacrament of Marriage?
Bride:
Yes, Father.
Pastor to Groom:
Groom, did you come here of your own free will, to bind yourself to each other in the sacrament of Marriage?
Groom:
Yes, Father.
Pastor to Both:
Will you promise to love and honor each other as husband and wife for the rest of your life?
Bride and Groom:
Yes, Father.
Pastor to Both:
Will you accept the children lovingly from God and bring them up according to the Laws of Christ and His Church?
Bride and Groom:
Yes, Father.
Exchange of Vows
Pastor:
Since it is your intentions to enter into marriage, join your hands and declare your consent before God and His Church.
Groom to Bride:
I, Groom, take you Bride for my lawful wife. To have and to hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, until death do us part.
Bride to Groom:
I, Bride, take you Groom for my lawful husband. To have and to hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, until death do us part.
Pastor:
And by the authority of the Church, calling on all here present as witnesses, I confirm and bless this marriage, which you have contracted. In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Blessing and Exchange of Rings
Pastor:
Lord, bless these rings, which we bless in your name. Grant that those who wear them may always have a deep faith in each other. May they do your will and always live together in peace, goodwill and love. We ask this through Christ our Lord.
All: Amen.
Groom:
Bride, take this ring as a sign of my love and fidelity. In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Bride: Groom, take this ring as a sign of my love and fidelity. In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Blessing and Acceptance of Arrhae
Pastor:
This arrhae represent the fruit of man's labors and the sum of material possessions which you share with each other. May the offering and acceptance of the arrhae that you now make, be the seal of your generous, total, and complete giving of yourselves to each other.
Groom:
Bride, receive this arrhae as a symbol of all that I am and all that I have. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Bride:
I accept them. In the Name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Lighting of the Unity Candle
Pastor:
As Bride and Groom start their lives as husband and wife, the candles on the altar are lit. When they were baptized, they were given a candle symbolizing their new life in Christ. Now may the married life of Bride and Groom be a light to al they meet; may it burn brightly, showing Christ to all.
Placing of the Veil
Pastor:
Bride and Groom are now clothed with a white veil, as in baptism they were given a white garment, the outward sign of their new creation. Having been clothed in Christ and of their Christian dignity, they are now clothed again in Christ who unites them in love, compassion, kindness, and patience. The veil is also a symbol of Christ's presence at home, under the same roof, which they now share in their married life.
Placing of the Cord
Pastor:
As Bride and Groom have been united as one in Christ, they were given His yoke. Jesus said, "Shoulder my yoke and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble of heart." May Bride and Groom share their lives in mutual gentleness and humility.
Prayers and Promises of Godparents
Pastor/Godparents:
Our beloved Bride and Groom, heaven and Earth are now witnessing your vows and the Christian community gathered here. We testify that you are married in the eyes of God and His people. With open hearts, we accept you, and promise to pray for you all the time and rest assured of our support in your time of needs. We offer you in God's glory now and forever. AMEN.
Our beloved friends, Bride and Groom, you have come together in this Church so that the Lord may seal and strengthen your love in the presence of the Church minister and this community. Christ abundantly blesses this love. He has already consecrated you in baptism and now he enriches and strengthens you by a special sacrament that you may assume the duties of marriage in mutual and lasting fidelity. And so, in the presence of the Church, I ask you to state your intentions.
Pastor to Bride:
Bride, did you come here of your own free will, to bind yourself to each other in the Sacrament of Marriage?
Bride:
Yes, Father.
Pastor to Groom:
Groom, did you come here of your own free will, to bind yourself to each other in the sacrament of Marriage?
Groom:
Yes, Father.
Pastor to Both:
Will you promise to love and honor each other as husband and wife for the rest of your life?
Bride and Groom:
Yes, Father.
Pastor to Both:
Will you accept the children lovingly from God and bring them up according to the Laws of Christ and His Church?
Bride and Groom:
Yes, Father.
Exchange of Vows
Pastor:
Since it is your intentions to enter into marriage, join your hands and declare your consent before God and His Church.
Groom to Bride:
I, Groom, take you Bride for my lawful wife. To have and to hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, until death do us part.
Bride to Groom:
I, Bride, take you Groom for my lawful husband. To have and to hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, until death do us part.
Pastor:
And by the authority of the Church, calling on all here present as witnesses, I confirm and bless this marriage, which you have contracted. In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Blessing and Exchange of Rings
Pastor:
Lord, bless these rings, which we bless in your name. Grant that those who wear them may always have a deep faith in each other. May they do your will and always live together in peace, goodwill and love. We ask this through Christ our Lord.
All: Amen.
Groom:
Bride, take this ring as a sign of my love and fidelity. In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Bride: Groom, take this ring as a sign of my love and fidelity. In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Blessing and Acceptance of Arrhae
Pastor:
This arrhae represent the fruit of man's labors and the sum of material possessions which you share with each other. May the offering and acceptance of the arrhae that you now make, be the seal of your generous, total, and complete giving of yourselves to each other.
Groom:
Bride, receive this arrhae as a symbol of all that I am and all that I have. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Bride:
I accept them. In the Name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Lighting of the Unity Candle
Pastor:
As Bride and Groom start their lives as husband and wife, the candles on the altar are lit. When they were baptized, they were given a candle symbolizing their new life in Christ. Now may the married life of Bride and Groom be a light to al they meet; may it burn brightly, showing Christ to all.
Placing of the Veil
Pastor:
Bride and Groom are now clothed with a white veil, as in baptism they were given a white garment, the outward sign of their new creation. Having been clothed in Christ and of their Christian dignity, they are now clothed again in Christ who unites them in love, compassion, kindness, and patience. The veil is also a symbol of Christ's presence at home, under the same roof, which they now share in their married life.
Placing of the Cord
Pastor:
As Bride and Groom have been united as one in Christ, they were given His yoke. Jesus said, "Shoulder my yoke and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble of heart." May Bride and Groom share their lives in mutual gentleness and humility.
Prayers and Promises of Godparents
Pastor/Godparents:
Our beloved Bride and Groom, heaven and Earth are now witnessing your vows and the Christian community gathered here. We testify that you are married in the eyes of God and His people. With open hearts, we accept you, and promise to pray for you all the time and rest assured of our support in your time of needs. We offer you in God's glory now and forever. AMEN.
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