Sunday, April 2, 2017
Youcat commented through CCC – Question n. 266 - Part II.
(Youcat
answer - repeated) As a rule a wedding must take place publicly. The bride and
bridegroom are questioned as to their intention to marry. The priest or the
deacon blesses their rings. The bride and bridegroom exchange rings and
mutually promise “to be true in good times and in bad, in sickness and in
health” and vow to each other: “I will love you and honor you all the days of
my life.” The celebrant ratifies the wedding and administers the blessing.
A deepening through CCC
(CCC 1623) According to the Latin tradition, the spouses as
ministers of Christ's grace mutually confer upon each other the sacrament of
Matrimony by expressing their consent before the Church. In the tradition of
the Eastern Churches, the priest (bishops or presbyters) are witnesses to the
mutual consent given by the spouses (cf. CCEO, can. 817) but for the validity
of the sacrament their blessing is also necessary (cf. CCEO, can. 828).
Reflecting and meditating
(Youcat comment) Here are some excerpts from one form of the
Rite of Catholic Marriage: Celebrant: N. and
N., have you come here freely and without reservation to give yourselves to
each other in marriage?” Bride and bridegroom: “Yes.” Celebrant: “Will you love and honor each other as man and wife
for the rest of your lives?” Bride and bridegroom: “Yes.” The celebrant then asks the bride and
bridegroom together the following questions. “Will you accept children lovingly
from God and bring them up according to the law of Christ and his Church?” Bride and
bridegroom: “Yes.”
(CCC Comment)
(CCC 1624) The various liturgies abound in prayers of blessing
and epiclesis asking God's grace and blessing on the new couple, especially the
bride. In the epiclesis of this sacrament the spouses receive the Holy Spirit
as the communion of love of Christ and the Church (Cf. Eph 5:32). The Holy
Spirit is the seal of their covenant, the ever-available source of their love
and the strength to renew their fidelity. (CCC 1663)
Since marriage establishes the couple in a public state of life in the Church,
it is fitting that its celebration be public, in the framework of a liturgical
celebration, before the priest (or a witness authorized by the Church), the
witnesses, and the assembly of the faithful.
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