Liturgy On The Occasion Of A Wedding Anniversary

The following liturgy may be used in small or large family celebrations or in gatherings of the larger worshiping community. Adapt to local needs and customs.

Gathering

Leader: We have gathered this day to celebrate the anniversary of [Name] and [Name]. We give thanks to God that they were brought together in holy matrimony [number] years ago, and we offer special thanks to the Father who has granted grace to them over the years.

Let us pray. Father in heaven, we praise you for the marriage of [Name] and [Name], and we bless you for the witness of their life and love. Grant, O heavenly one, that they may be blessed with continued love and happiness together, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

The Scripture Readings

Reader 1: A reading from Genesis:

"?And the Lord God said, '?It is not good that man should be alone; I will make him a helper comparable to him.?' … And the Lord God caused a deep sleep to fall on Adam, and he slept; and he took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh in its place. Then the rib which the Lord God had taken from man he made into a woman, and he brought her to the man. And Adam said: '?This is now bone of my bones And flesh of my flesh; She shall be called Woman, Because she was taken out of Man.?' Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh?" (2:18, 21–24). This is the word of the Lord. Response: Thanks be to God.

Reader 2:A reading from the Gospel according to John:

"?On the third day there was a wedding in Cana of Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. Now both Jesus and his disciples were invited to the wedding. And when they ran out of wine, the mother of Jesus said to him, '?They have no wine.?' Jesus said to her, '?Woman, what does your concern have to do with me? My hour has not yet come.?' His mother said to the servants, '?Whatever he says to you, do it.?' Now there were set there six waterpots of stone, according to the manner of purification of the Jews, containing twenty or thirty gallons apiece. Jesus said to them, '?Fill the waterpots with water.?' And they filled them up to the brim. And he said to them, '?Draw some out now, and take it to the master of the feast.?' And they took it. When the master of the feast had tasted the water that was made wine, and did not know where it came from (but the servants who had drawn the water knew), the master of the feast called to the bridegroom. And he said to him, '?Every man at the beginning sets out the good wine, and when the guests have well drunk, then that which is inferior; but you have kept the good wine until now.?' This beginning of signs Jesus did in Cana of Galilee, and manifested his glory; and his disciples believed in him?" (2:1–11). This is the word of the Lord. Response: Thanks be to God.

The Renewal of the Vows

Leader: [Name] and [Name] will now repeat their vows as a sign of their continuing love and fidelity to each other.

Husband: It is my will to continue to have you as my wife, and to live with you in the covenant of marriage. I will continue to love you, comfort you, honor and keep you, in sickness and in health; and continuing to forsake all others, I pledge you my faithfulness as long as we live. Wife: It is my will to continue to have you as my husband and to live with you in the covenant of marriage. I will continue to love you, comfort you, honor and keep you, in sickness and health; and continuing to forsake all others, to be faithful to you as long as we both live.

The Prayer of Dedication

Leader: Let us rededicate [Name] and [Name] in marriage.

Father Almighty, in your divine providence you have willed to bring [Name] and [Name] together in holy matrimony. In this day when marriage is beset by stress, we pray for your special grace. Keep their love strong, their commitment steadfast; and may their joy increase more and more, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Celebrating the Marriage

Leader: Having witnessed the reenactment of these vows, let us now toast [Name] and [Name] with words of encouragement. I ask each of you to speak a word of encouragement or make reference to something from their life that has been of special help to you.

(Those who wish may make appropriate comments.) The peace of the Lord be with you. Response: And also with you. (Greet each other with a handshake or an appropriate hug, saying, "?The Peace of the Lord be with you.?")