Liturgy On The Occasion Of An Engagement Or Betrothal

The following liturgy may be used in small or large family celebrations or in gatherings of the larger worshiping community, serving as a means of both celebration and of challenge to the couple preparing for marriage. Adapt to local needs and customs.

Gathering

Leader: Dear family and friends, we have gathered on this occasion to honor [Name] and [Name], who have announced their intention to unite in holy marriage. This is a festive and wonderful moment in their lives and ours; so let us be festive and rejoice.

Let us pray. Lord God, you bring to pass all things under your providence. In your holy wisdom you have seen fit to bring [Name] and [Name] into a loving relationship. In this celebration of their intent, we praise you for your hand in their lives. As you have been present to them in the past, be with them now and throughout their life together, in Jesus' name we pray. 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.?' Out of the ground the Lord God formed every beast of the field and every bird of the air, and brought them to Adam to see what he would call them. And whatever Adam called each living creature, that was its name. So Adam gave names to all cattle, to the birds of the air, and to every beast of the field. But for Adam there was not found 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'?" (2:18–24). This is the word of the Lord. Response: Thanks be to God.

Reader 2: A reading from the First Epistle of John:

"?Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. He who does not love does not know God, for God is love. In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him. In this is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has seen God at any time. If we love one another, God abides in us, and his love has been perfected in us. By this we know that we abide in him, and he in us, because he has given us of his Spirit. And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent the Son as savior of the world. Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God. And we have known and believed the love that God has for us. God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him?" (4:7–16). This is the word of the Lord. Response: Thanks be to God.

Words of Advice and Admonition

Leader: [Name] and [Name], we wish to congratulate you and offer words of wisdom and advice from our experience. I invite those who have a word for your direction in life to speak now.

(Here as many as wish may make appropriate comments.) Prayer of Commitment Leader: Let us pray for [Name] and [Name]. Lord, from you love originates. Father, Son, and Holy Spirit have been bound together in love. You bestowed love upon your creation. You poured out your love in Jesus Christ. Now, O source of love, grant that [Name] and [Name] shall love you and each other more and more, through Christ our Lord. Response: Amen. (Here may follow the opening of gifts and festive celebration of the engagement.)