The Renewal Of Marriage Vows
by Most Reverend Louis N. Bernhardt, OSA

Entrance Processional - Husband escorts his wife down the aisle
and faces the minister.

The minister opens the service with a prayer. Let us
pray, Dear Lord in the New Testament you say that
whenever two or more of us are joined in your Name
that you would be there also. We humbly pray that
would join us now as
_________________&_______________ stand before you
today to renew and reaffirm their vows of love and
marriage. Please be with them, bless them, and let
this union continue to endure and progress in the
love they have for each other. Amen.

The minister continues: Dearly beloved, we are
gathered here today to reaffirm the vows of love
and marriage that exists between _______________
and ______________________. Marriage is a most
honorable estate created by our Lord signifying unto
us the mystical union between a man and a woman,
this union also exists between Christ and His
Church. So to may this marriage be adorned also by
a true and everlasting love that we pray shall
continue through eternity.

When Christ performed His miracle at a wedding of
Cana in Galilee by turning water into wine, he
showed the world His respect for this Holy
Sacrament. The Bible commends marriage to be honored
by all people.

Bible Reading from Corinthians:

• Love endures and is kind.
• Love is not envious or jealous.
• Love wants not for itself.
• Love is not puffed up, nor does it behave wrongly.
• Love seeks not for it's own.
• Love is not easily provoked.
• Love is not rude.
• Love thinks No evil.
• Love does not rejoice in wrong, but dwells in the
  truth.
• Love bears all things, believes all things, endures
  all things, and love never fails.

The minister continues:

The Union of husband and wife is one of the heart,
mind, and body and is intended by the Lord for their
mutual joy, for the help and comfort given to one
another in the times of prosperity and adversity.
The union grows as the couple become one in more and
more ways on a growing basis as their love for one
another expands.

____________________& ___________________ life is
given to us as individuals and the first lesson we
must learn is how to live together with each other
as a married couple. Love is given to us by our
family and friends, We learn to love by being loved.
Learning to love and learning to live together is
one of life's greatest challenges. This is the goal
of a married life.

But the husband and wife should not confuse the love
of worldly measures, for even if worldly success is
found, Only love can hold a marriage together.
Mankind did not create love, God created love and
teaches it to us. The measure of a true love is one
given freely and a love that is freely accepted just
as God's love for us is given freely and
unconditional. Today is a glorious day that God has
made as you reaffirm your love and vows for each
other. Both of you are blessed with God's greatest
gift of all, an abiding and true love of each
other, and the reward of a life long companionship
that entered your life through the love in your
lives. As you travel through this life together
remember it was love that got you here, it is love
that will continue in your lives, and it is love
that will can\use this union to endure. I ask that
you guard your heart and your love for one another,
and hold it tightly in your hearts.

The minister asks the couple to join hands and
continues with the Vows.

___________________________will you continue to have
_________________________ as your husband and
continue to live in this marriage. Do you reaffirm
your love for him, and will you love him, keep him,
and honor him in sickness and in health, and
forsaking all others, be faithful to him as long as
you shall live?

___________________________will you continue to have
_________________________ as your wife and continue
to live in this marriage. Do you reaffirm your love
for her, and will you love her, keep her, and honor
her in sickness and in health, and forsaking all
others, be faithful to her as long as you shall
live?

The Minister then asks for the rings. The minister
then prays a prayer of blessing over the givers and
receivers of each of the rings.

The minister then hands the rings to each. The
minister then ask the husband to place the ring on
her finger and repeat the following.

I give you this ring as a symbol of my vow, with all
that I am and all that I have I honor you, and with
this ring I thee wed.

The minister then ask the wife to place the ring on
his finger and repeat the following.

I give you this ring as a symbol of my vow, with all
that I am and all that I have I honor you, and with
this ring I thee wed.

The minister then gives the charge:

___________________ & ____________________ as the
two of you both now reaffirm you love for each other
and the vows you made to each other many years ago,
I charge that you each remember to cherish each
other as special and unique individuals and that you
each respect the thoughts and ideas of one another.
And most all be able to forgive each other, and not
hold grudges against one another, and I charge that
you live each day in love with each other, always
being there to give love, comfort, and refuge to
each in good times and bad. Amen.

The minister makes the Pronouncement & Announcement:

Since ________________________&_____________________
have now exchanged vows and rings, and pledged their
love and faith for each other, it is my pleasure and
honor to pronounce you Man & Wife. You may kiss the
bride.

I am please to announce Mr. & Mrs.
____________________________________.

The Recessional. The bride and groom exit.

The minister makes announcements as to thanking
those in attendance, and gives instructions for the
reception.