Here is the homily I prepared for the wedding that was celebrated today in the parish where I am currently serving. In this case, the groom's family practice in the United Church of Canada, but he has completed the RCIA process and now is part of the Roman Catholic tradition, along with his bride, whose family are parishioners in this place of worship.
Last evening, just before beginning the rehearsal, I had a moment to speak with Mark’s mom Louise. She told me about Mark’s choice to convert to Catholicism, so that he and Antonina would not only be able to live as husband and wife, but that they would also share a common bond of faith. She told me about the fact that he spent a number of years in the RCIA process, preparing for the day when he would enter into full communion with the Roman Catholic Church, and she also told me that this choice was part of his preparation for the day when he would be wedded to his beloved wife.
Well Mark, the day has finally arrived. The journey has taken you down many paths, and I hope and pray that those paths have all contributed in some way to enriching your life. When you were a young child, your parents entrusted you with the gift of faith. Your formation as a disciple of Jesus began there at the font, and it has been nurtured and enriched ever since. One of the gifts that we treasure in the Catholic Church is the grace that is given when we celebrate the Sacraments, so today, we stand here with you and the beautiful woman who will soon be your wife. We are here to witness a moment of grace in both your lives: the moment when you will exchange your vows of love for each other.
What we will see is a man and a woman who speak simple words to one another. The whole exchange takes only a few moments, but the reality of what takes place in the depth of your hearts is something that you will spend the rest of your lives discovering, marveling at, and hopefully you will find a reason or two every day to thank God for this gift.
Neither Mark nor Antonina chose to be baptised. That decision was made for them by others who love them very much, and although it might seem that as adults, you have chosen to celebrate this Sacrament today in our presence, the truth is that God has invited you both to enter into a relationship of love. As it was when he created the first human beings to walk on this earth, God has brought you together. Throughout the years that you have known each other, He has been at work, bringing you closer and closer to each other, showing you the beauty that lies within the one who will from this day forward be your partner in life.
A husband and wife should always complement each other. Where one is weak, the other will compensate. As you continue to grow in your knowledge and love of each other, you will learn the little tricks that will allow you to always find ways to make your husband or your wife strive to be the best person they possibly can be. Saint Paul gives us a few hints about how you can start working on this right away. He says that love must be at the heart of everything we do or say. Otherwise words mean nothing.
The path that you have chosen will not always be easy. There will be days when you will wonder about the choice you are making today, but if you strive every day to do little things for one another with great love, all will be well, and you will continue to grow in your relationship with each other, and with God.
Before we go any further, take a look around at the people who are gathered here today. Each one of them is here because they have shared a part of your life, because they love you and want only the best for you. Each of us is here to pray with you and for you today, to ask God to give you the gift of love so that you can be living examples of God’s love for his people.
Another of the great treasures of our faith tradition is found in the person of Mary, the mother of Jesus. She always knew how to prompt Jesus to be the best that he could be. May she pray every day for the two of you. Through her maternal protection, may you never be afraid to be courageous witnesses of Christ’s love in the world.
Wedding homily for Mark Wilson and Antonina Fichault
Last evening, just before beginning the rehearsal, I had a moment to speak with Mark’s mom Louise. She told me about Mark’s choice to convert to Catholicism, so that he and Antonina would not only be able to live as husband and wife, but that they would also share a common bond of faith. She told me about the fact that he spent a number of years in the RCIA process, preparing for the day when he would enter into full communion with the Roman Catholic Church, and she also told me that this choice was part of his preparation for the day when he would be wedded to his beloved wife.
Well Mark, the day has finally arrived. The journey has taken you down many paths, and I hope and pray that those paths have all contributed in some way to enriching your life. When you were a young child, your parents entrusted you with the gift of faith. Your formation as a disciple of Jesus began there at the font, and it has been nurtured and enriched ever since. One of the gifts that we treasure in the Catholic Church is the grace that is given when we celebrate the Sacraments, so today, we stand here with you and the beautiful woman who will soon be your wife. We are here to witness a moment of grace in both your lives: the moment when you will exchange your vows of love for each other.
What we will see is a man and a woman who speak simple words to one another. The whole exchange takes only a few moments, but the reality of what takes place in the depth of your hearts is something that you will spend the rest of your lives discovering, marveling at, and hopefully you will find a reason or two every day to thank God for this gift.
Neither Mark nor Antonina chose to be baptised. That decision was made for them by others who love them very much, and although it might seem that as adults, you have chosen to celebrate this Sacrament today in our presence, the truth is that God has invited you both to enter into a relationship of love. As it was when he created the first human beings to walk on this earth, God has brought you together. Throughout the years that you have known each other, He has been at work, bringing you closer and closer to each other, showing you the beauty that lies within the one who will from this day forward be your partner in life.
A husband and wife should always complement each other. Where one is weak, the other will compensate. As you continue to grow in your knowledge and love of each other, you will learn the little tricks that will allow you to always find ways to make your husband or your wife strive to be the best person they possibly can be. Saint Paul gives us a few hints about how you can start working on this right away. He says that love must be at the heart of everything we do or say. Otherwise words mean nothing.
The path that you have chosen will not always be easy. There will be days when you will wonder about the choice you are making today, but if you strive every day to do little things for one another with great love, all will be well, and you will continue to grow in your relationship with each other, and with God.
Before we go any further, take a look around at the people who are gathered here today. Each one of them is here because they have shared a part of your life, because they love you and want only the best for you. Each of us is here to pray with you and for you today, to ask God to give you the gift of love so that you can be living examples of God’s love for his people.
Another of the great treasures of our faith tradition is found in the person of Mary, the mother of Jesus. She always knew how to prompt Jesus to be the best that he could be. May she pray every day for the two of you. Through her maternal protection, may you never be afraid to be courageous witnesses of Christ’s love in the world.
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