Here is a bit of history. On December 4, 1963, the Bishops of the Second Vatican Council published a document called Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy (SC) which emphasized the importance of the lay man and woman participating in the life of the Church. It called for the revision of the liturgical books “in order that the Christian people may more surely derive an abundance of graces from the liturgy (SC 21). They said that “the Marriage rite now found in the Roman Ritual is to be revised and enriched so that it will more clearly signify the grace of the Sacrament and will emphasize the spouses’ duties (SC 21).
On March 19, 1969, Pope Paul VI published the first Latin typical edition. In that same year, the English translation was published. A second typical edition, Ordo Celebrandi Matrimonium, editio typica altera, was next published by Pope John Paul II in March 1990.
The Bishops of the United States approved a Spanish-language translation of this second edition in 2005. Most recently, the English translation has been implemented. So why did it take so long to get an English translation? Well, the English translation was delayed due to work on the English translation of The Roman Missal. Do you remember when we were introduced to the changes?
On February 2, 2016, Archbishop Joseph Kurtz, then president of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), issued a Decree of Publication for the Order of Celebrating Matrimony. He instructed that the text “may be published and used in the Liturgy as of September 8, 2016, the Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, and its use is mandatory as of December 30, 2016, the Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph.” Therefore, the couples we are helping to prepare now for the celebration of this Sacrament should be reviewing this new edition.
So what are the changes to the Rite? The new edition has enriched the introductory rites and prayers. The extended introduction provides both a theological and a pastoral vision of the vocation of marriage. The Entrance Rites are expanded and elaborated with two options for the greeting of the couple either at the entrance to the church or when they arrive in the sanctuary. The new edition clarifies that the Penitential Act is omitted and that the Gloria is always included when marriage is celebrated in the context of Mass. The new edition has also expanded the selection of scripture readings.
The four Nuptial Blessings include an invocation of the Holy Spirit for a blessing: “Send down on them the grace of the Holy Spirit and pour your love into their hearts, that they may remain faithful in the Marriage Covenant.”
Also, there are two new rituals provided in the appendices. First, an Order of Blessing an Engaged Couple. Second, an Order of Blessing a Married Couple within Mass on the Anniversary of Marriage.
The Holy See has approved specific adaptations for the United States. The most significant are the optional blessing and giving of the arras (coins) and the optional blessing and placing of the lazo (lasso). The arras is made up of a small cask containing golden or plated coins symbolizing prosperity. The words said by both bride and groom during the exchange of the arras highlights their commitment to sharing together all the goods which they will receive during their married life. The lasso symbolizes the marital “one flesh” union. The most usual form is a double-looped rosary. It is placed with one loop over the groom’s shoulders and the other over the bride’s with the cross suspended between them.
Let’s take a moment to pray for all those that are engaged in our communities and those that will be accompanying them (family, friends, pastors, deacons and lay ministers) as they prepare for the vocation of matrimony. That with the grace of God they may become one.
Mario Martinez is the Coordinator of the Diocesan Marriage Initiative.