Page 444 - Special Occasion Prayers

444 Holy Matrimony
rious and ineffable plan for our salvation. We offer You thanks-
giving with joy and hope / in Your Church redeemed by / the pre-
cious blood of Your Anointed One.

(Celebrant kisses the altar).

CEL: We offer glory and honor / thanksgiving, and worship / to
Your living, holy, and life-giving name. Now, (+The celebrant
blesses the mysteries) always and forever.

ALL: Amen

( ALL KNEEL)

CEL: Have mercy on me, O God / in your loving kindness.

ALL: In Your great compassion, wipe away my sins.

CEL: (Raising his hands) Bless us, O Lord. May Your
mercy draw us near to these glorious / sacred, life-giving, and
divine mysteries / though truly we are unworthy.

(The celebrant kisses the altar, with his hands held to his
chest in the form of the cross. He raises the Host and says)

CEL: O, Lord, Jesus Christ! May there be glory to your name /
and worship to Your majesty forever. For, this living and life-
giving bread / has come down from heaven / and gives life to the
whole world. Whoever eats this bread will not die, but will re-
ceive remission of sins, attain salvation, and live forever.

(BELL)

ALL: "I am the living bread / that has come down from
heaven. I am the bread / that has come down from on high.
Whoever approaches me / and receives me with love, will
live in me forever / and will inherit the kingdom of
heaven;" This is the mystery revealed to the disciples by
our Savior. All the ministers / who do His Will, / the
Cherubim, the Seraphim, and the Archangels / stand before
the altar / with awe to observe the priest (the bishop) /
breaking the Body of Christ / for the remission of sins.

Open to us O Lord, the gates of justice. Merciful Lord, who
calls sinners to You / and opens the doors for the penitent,