The liturgical prayers at a wedding

The prayers offered during the celebration of the sacrament of marriage reveal the Church’s theology and understanding of the sacrament. It is wise to read or listen to the words carefully and reflect on the spiritual messages they convey. This column focuses on the opening prayer, the collect.

The collect is the first or opening prayer. It is addressed to God and says, “uphold what you have established for the increase of the human race.” God established the institution of marriage. God is the creative genius, the master designer. The natural order of creation reveals God’s plan for the earth and the people who inhabit it. God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone” (Gn 2:18), so “Male and female he created them” (Gn 1:27) and explained that “a man … clings to his wife, and the two of them become one body” (Gn 2:24).

The prayer makes a request, “Uphold (this marriage).” Evil forces will assault the newly married couple. The devil is pleased when there is conflict and division, and even happier when a marriage fails. The petition asks God to give husband and wife the divine assistance they will need to persevere, particularly when they are under attack and it seems like they are sinking or falling.

The collect states that marriage is “for the increase of the human race.” God said, “Be fertile and multiply; fill the earth” (Gn 1:28). Marriage is “ordained for the procreation and education of children” (Gaudium et Spes, No. 48). The love between a wife and husband is not to be inwardly directed and is the last parish that Blessed Father McGivney served. Apparently, on March 5, an extraordinary minister of holy Communion was running low on hosts and was looking to other Communion ministers for more when, to her surprise, the ciborium was filled with more consecrated hosts.

What caught my attention about this was knowing that members of our local Knights of Columbus council had been praying through the intercession of Blessed Michael McGivney, asking that the “Core Principle of ‘Eucharist’” would be established as a fifth core principle of the Knights of Columbus Order, along with charity, unity, fraternity and patriotism. When Father Joseph Crowley of St. Thomas parish asked if anyone had prayed for such a miracle, we had.

Why does God work miracles in times past or in present times? Perhaps it is to deal with the question of “if.” There is no “if” about God’s love for us. Jesus demonstrates he loves us in abundance. As Jesus promises in the Gospel, “I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you.” “... On that day you will realize that I am in my Father and you are in me and I in you.”

When we realize the truth of what Jesus is saying, the Eucharist will become the living heart of our lives.

God answers prayers. Perhaps, this is God’s way of renewing not only the Knights of Columbus, but the whole Church through the Eucharist. Is Jesus Christ, through this recent eucharistic action, expressing his desire to have the Eucharist be named a fifth core principle, which would be the “cornerstone” principle? Indeed, our very life is built upon Christ, and having the Eucharist as a principle reflects this truth.

I believe God wants to renew his Church through the Eucharist. A new Pentecost is just beginning in your local parish. There, the miracle of the Mass is being celebrated every Sunday, even daily. So, “Remember to keep holy the Sabbath day,” showing God our love and answering our “if.”

God’s love is multiplying, no ifs, ands or buts about it!

Father Perkl is pastor of Mary, Mother of the Church, in Burnsville. He can be reached at jperkl@mmotc org not solely for themselves, but to extend beyond themselves. Their love for each other bubbles up and overflows, so much so that it is open and fruitful, the outcome is children, and the immense love they have for each other is shared with the children that God gives them.

The collect refers to the couple as a “union you have created.” Every marriage is a miracle and an example of the providence of God. Over the years, the bride and groom have met countless people at school, activities, work and social gatherings, and they enter countless relationships as classmates, teammates, co-workers or friends. Some relationships are superficial. Others are deep and meaningful. Some are fleeting. Others last for a long time. Then, after meeting and knowing so many people, that one special person appears. It might be love at first sight. It might take a while for a friendship to blossom into an authentic, deep and abiding love, the kind of love the two eventually decide to share for a lifetime. God placed them together, gave them their love for each other, and caused their love to grow. It is a union that God created.

The collect concludes, “may it be kept safe by your assistance.” This petition builds upon the earlier request to uphold the marriage. It acknowledges the somber truth that the couple’s world is not safe. Peter sounds the alarm, “The devil is prowling around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour” (1 Pt 5:8). The Catechism teaches that marriages are “threatened by discord, a spirit of domination, infidelity, jealousy, and conflicts that can escalate into hatred and separation” (No. 1607). The prayer is a reality check, even on their joyful wedding day, that tests and obstacles are looming down the road. The prayer invokes “your assistance.” God is a rock of refuge, a shield (Ps 18:3), and a sure defense, and if the couple will turn to God in their times of trouble, with the grace that God supplies, they will be kept safe.

Father Van Sloun is the director of clergy personnel for the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis. This column is part of a series on the sacrament of marriage.

Sunday, May 14 Sixth Sunday of Easter Acts 8:5-8, 14-17 1 Pt 3:15-18 Jn 14:15-21

Monday, May 15 Acts 16:11-15 Jn 15:26–16:4a

Tuesday, May 16 Acts 16:22-34 Jn 16:5-11

Wednesday, May 17 Acts 17:15, 22–18:1 Jn 16:12-15

Thursday, May 18 Acts 18:1-8 Jn 16:16-20

Friday, May 19 Acts 18:9-18 Jn 16:20-23

Saturday, May 20 Acts 18:23-28 Jn 16:23b-28

Sunday, May 21 Ascension of the Lord Acts 1:1-11 Eph 1:17-23 Mt 28:16-20

Monday, May 22 Acts 19:1-8 Jn 16:29-33

Tuesday, May 23 Acts 20:17-27 Jn 17:1-11a

Wednesday, May 24 Acts 20:28-38 Jn 17:11b-19

Thursday, May 25 Acts 22:30; 23:6-11 Jn 17:20-26

Friday, May 26 St. Philip Neri, priest Acts 25:13b-21 Jn 21:15-19

Saturday, May 27 Acts 28:16-20, 30-31 Jn 21:20-25

Sunday, May 28 Pentecost Sunday Acts 2:1-11 1 Cor 12:3b-7, 12-13 Jn 20:19-23

ST. PASCHAL BAYLON (1540-1592) Born to a Spanish shepherd family, Paschal was said to have taught himself to read while tending sheep. At age 21, he joined an austere group of Franciscans, devoting himself to prayer and charity. He was sent on a dangerous mission to French Franciscans, and a shoulder wound he received caused him pain for the rest of his life. Long hours of prayer on his knees before the Eucharist earned this lay brother the honor of being patron of Catholic eucharistic congresses. His emblem in art is a monstrance. His feast day is May 17. — OSV News