NuptialMassBooklet
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Liturgical Guide

The order of the marriage rites in both forms of the Roman Rite, section by section — so you can see exactly how your booklet will be arranged before you begin.

The Roman Rite

Two forms, two arrangements

Ordinary Form

Novus Ordo

The Order of Celebrating Matrimony as revised after the Second Vatican Council, celebrated in the vernacular or in Latin. The Rite of Matrimony follows the Liturgy of the Word.

Vernacular or LatinReadings chosen from the LectionaryRite after the homily
See the order

Extraordinary Form

Traditional Latin Mass

The Rite of Marriage and Nuptial Mass of the 1962 Missale Romanum, celebrated in Latin. The marriage ceremony is completed before the Mass begins.

LatinPropers fixed for the Nuptial MassCeremony before Mass
See the order
Novus Ordo · Ordinary Form

Order of the Nuptial Mass

The marriage is celebrated within Mass, after the Liturgy of the Word. Each section below is a heading in your booklet; the right-hand column is what happens at that point.

01

Entrance

The prelude and processions before the Mass begins.

Prelude
Organ or choir before the procession
Processionals
Entrance of the ministers and wedding party
Bridal Procession
Entrance of the bride
02

Introductory Rites

The Penitential Act is customarily omitted at a nuptial Mass, so the Gloria follows the greeting directly.

Greetings
Greeting of the Priest
The Gloria
Glory to God
The Collect
Opening Prayer of the Mass
03

Liturgy of the Word

Readings are selected from the options approved for the celebration of Matrimony, so the citations differ from wedding to wedding.

First Reading
Usually from the Old Testament
Responsorial Psalm
Sung or recited response
Second Reading
From the New Testament letters
The Gospel Acclamation
The Alleluia
The Gospel & Homily
Proclamation and preaching
04

Rite of Matrimony

Address & Statement of Intentions
The questions before consent
Declaration of Consent
The exchange of vows
Blessing & Exchange of Rings
The rings are blessed and given
Prayer of the Faithful
The Universal Prayer
05

Liturgy of the Eucharist

The Offertory
Presentation of the Gifts
The Sanctus
Holy, Holy, Holy
The Canon of the Mass
The Eucharistic Prayer
The Lord’s Prayer & Nuptial Blessing
Our Father, then the Blessing of the Couple
The Agnus Dei
Lamb of God
The Communion
Communion of the Faithful
06

Concluding Rites

Marian Bouquet Presentation
Marian Anthem
The Final Blessing & Dismissal
Blessing at the end of Mass

Music

Sung or played
Prelude
Bridal Entrance
Processionals
Recessional Hymn

Sacred Ministers

Listed by role
Celebrant
Concelebrants
Deacon
Traditional Latin Mass · Extraordinary Form

Order of the Marriage Ceremony & Nuptial Mass

Here the marriage ceremony is completed first, and the Nuptial Mass follows. The right-hand column gives the proper chant or text sung at that point.

01

Entrance & Invocation

The service opens with the invocation of the Holy Spirit before the marriage ceremony begins.

Prelude
Organ or choir before the procession
Processionals
Entrance of the ministers and wedding party
Bridal Procession
Entrance of the bride
Invocation
Veni Creator Spiritus
02

Marriage Ceremony

In this form the marriage is contracted before Mass, at the foot of the sanctuary.

Exhortation Before Marriage
Proclamation on the sacrifices and beauty of marriage
Mutual Consent & Marital Vows
The exchange of consent
Sprinkling of Holy Water
Blessing the Rings
Exchange of Rings
Symbol of Love
Final Prayer
Conclusion of the ceremony
03

Nuptial Mass — Mass of the Catechumens

The propers below are proper to the Nuptial Mass and do not change.

Prayers at the Foot of the Altar
Introibo ad Altare Dei
Introit
Deus Israel (Tob 7:15; 8:19; Ps 127:1)
Kyrie Eleison
Kyriale I–XVIII
Gloria in Excelsis Deo
Kyriale I–XVIII
Epistle
Mutual Duties of Spouses (Eph 5:22–33)
Gradual
Uxor Tua Sicut (Ps 127:3)
Alleluia
Mittat Vobis Dominum (Ps 19:3)
Gospel
Marriage is Indissoluble (Mt 19:3–6)
Homily
Exhortation
04

Nuptial Mass — Mass of the Faithful

Offertory
In Te Speravi Domine (Ps 30:15–16) · Offertory Motet
Sanctus
Kyriale I–XVIII
Canon of the Mass
Prayers at the Consecration
Pater Noster
Libera Nos
Nuptial Blessing
Propitiare Domine · Deus Qui Potestate
Agnus Dei
Kyriale I–XVIII
Communion of the Faithful
Ecce Sic Benedicetur (Ps 127:4–6) · Communion Motet
05

Conclusion & Thanksgiving

Final Nuptial Blessing
Deus Abraham
Final Blessing
Placeat Tibi, Sancta Trinitas
Last Gospel
In Principio (Jn 1:1–14)
Thanksgiving & Marian Presentation
Te Deum Laudamus · Marian Anthem
Recessional
Organ or choir as the couple depart

Music

Sung or played
Prelude
Processionals
Bridal Procession
Recessional

Sacred Ministers

Role by Solemnity
Celebrant
Deacon of the Mass
Subdeacon of the Mass
Confirm the order with your parish

These are the arrangements our templates follow. Requirements vary by diocese, by celebrant, and with the circumstances of a particular marriage — including whether Mass is celebrated at all, as when one party is not Catholic. Review the order with your celebrant before printing. See our Terms of Service for more on liturgical approval.

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Every template follows one of the arrangements above.

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