These six sets of prayers of the faithful for a Catholic wedding include intercessions for the Church, the newly married couple, their families, people in need and those who have died. Choose one set, or bring a selection to your parish for the priest or deacon to review. These examples are wedding intercessions, not the marriage vows or the Nuptial Blessing. Below them you will find six more sets for a Nuptial Mass and an answer to how many intentions a wedding usually has.
Common response: Lord, hear our prayer. Agree the response with your parish and use it consistently after each intention.
Six sets of Catholic wedding intercessions
Option 1
- For the holy Church, that she may continue to be a beacon of hope and witness to the sanctity of marriage, let us pray to the Lord.
- That married couples everywhere may find strength and support in their communities as they live out their vocation, let us pray to the Lord.
- For [Names], who begin their married life today, that their love may grow stronger each day through the grace of the Sacrament, let us pray to the Lord.
- That the families of this newly married couple may support them with wisdom, understanding and love, let us pray to the Lord.
- For young people considering marriage, that they may prepare themselves worthily for this sacred vocation, let us pray to the Lord.
I. For the sick and homebound members of our parish family, let us pray to the Lord.
II. For all the deceased members of these families, especially N., let us pray to the Lord.
Option 2
- For the Catholic Church, that she may effectively proclaim the sanctity and dignity of Christian marriage, let us pray to the Lord.
- For those experiencing difficulties in their marriages, that they may find healing and reconciliation through God’s grace, let us pray to the Lord.
- That this newly married couple may be blessed with children and the grace to raise them in the faith, let us pray to the Lord.
- For all married couples present here today, that their witness may inspire others to embrace the vocation of marriage, let us pray to the Lord.
- That society may recognize and protect the sacred institution of marriage, let us pray to the Lord.
- For peace in families affected by division and conflict, let us pray to the Lord.
I. For those struggling with anxiety and depression in our community, let us pray to the Lord.
II. For our departed loved ones, especially N., let us pray to the Lord.
Option 3
- For the Church, that she may continue to guide couples in building Christ-centered marriages, let us pray to the Lord.
- For world leaders, that they may promote policies that support and strengthen family life, let us pray to the Lord.
- That this married couple may be open to the gift of children and raise them in the love and knowledge of God, let us pray to the Lord.
- For couples struggling with infertility, anxiety, or marital challenges, that they may find comfort and healing, let us pray to the Lord.
- That the families of the bride and groom may be united in love and mutual support, let us pray to the Lord.
- For all married couples facing the economic pressures of inflation and healthcare costs, that they may find strength in their faith, let us pray to the Lord.
I. For our local community facing challenges of religious diversity and social integration, let us pray to the Lord.
II. For all who have died, especially N., that God in his mercy may welcome them into eternal peace, let us pray to the Lord.
Option 4
- For the universal Church, that she may continue to be a beacon of hope and love for all married couples, let us pray to the Lord.
- For government leaders, that they may recognize and protect the fundamental value of marriage, let us pray to the Lord.
- That this couple may always communicate with compassion, understanding, and patience, let us pray to the Lord.
- For those struggling with addiction, mental health challenges, or unemployment, that they may find support in their marriages, let us pray to the Lord.
- That married couples may be agents of peace and reconciliation in their communities, let us pray to the Lord.
- For engaged and newly married couples facing the challenges of modern society, that they may remain faithful to their vows, let us pray to the Lord.
I. For our parish outreach programs serving the needy, let us pray to the Lord.
II. For the souls of the faithful departed, especially N., let us pray to the Lord.
Option 5
- For the holy Catholic Church, that she may continue to nurture and support the vocation of marriage, let us pray to the Lord.
- For civil authorities, that they may create a society that values and protects family life, let us pray to the Lord.
- That this married couple may grow together in faith, supporting each other’s spiritual journey, let us pray to the Lord.
- For couples experiencing bullying, discrimination, or social pressures, that they may find strength in their love and faith, let us pray to the Lord.
- That marriages may be a source of healing and hope in a world often marked by division, let us pray to the Lord.
- For young adults discerning their vocational path, that they may seek God’s guidance in their relationships, let us pray to the Lord.
I. For those in our community facing unemployment, let us pray to the Lord.
II. For those who have died recently, especially N., let us pray to the Lord.
Option 6
- For the Church, that she may continue to teach and model the beauty of sacramental marriage, let us pray to the Lord.
- For world leaders, that they may prioritize policies that support family well-being and social harmony, let us pray to the Lord.
- That this couple may be a living example of Christ’s love in their home and community, let us pray to the Lord.
- For couples struggling with mental health challenges, depression, or anxiety, that they may find compassion and support, let us pray to the Lord.
- That marriages may be spaces of mutual growth, forgiveness, and unconditional love, let us pray to the Lord.
- For all married couples navigating the complexities of modern life, that they may remain committed to each other, let us pray to the Lord.
I. For our local community’s efforts to address addiction and mental health challenges, let us pray to the Lord.
II. That the faithful departed, especially N., may rest in the peace of Christ, let us pray to the Lord.
Six more sets for a Nuptial Mass
These six sets were first written for a Nuptial Mass, a wedding celebrated within Mass. They use [Name] and [Name] for the bride and groom. The reader ends each intention with “we pray to the Lord,” and everyone answers Lord, hear our prayer.
Nuptial Mass option 1
- For the Church and its leaders, that they may continue to guide the faithful in the way of love and compassion, we pray to the Lord.
- For our world and its leaders, that peace and justice may prevail, and that societies everywhere foster the dignity and sanctity of family life, we pray to the Lord.
- For [Name] and [Name] on this joyful day of their marriage, that their love for each other may continue to grow and be a sign of Christ’s enduring love for the Church, we pray to the Lord.
- For all married couples that they may be renewed in their love and commitment to one another, reflecting the love of God in their relationships, we pray to the Lord.
- For all who are suffering from loneliness or the pain of broken relationships, that they may find comfort and healing in the community of the Church, we pray to the Lord.
- For the family and friends of [Name] and [Name], that they may continue to support them with their love and guidance, we pray to the Lord.
Nuptial Mass option 2
- For the universal Church, that it may always be a source of hope and a beacon of unconditional love, we pray to the Lord.
- For peace in the world, that nations may resolve their conflicts by seeking the path of dialogue and reconciliation, we pray to the Lord.
- For the newlyweds, [Name] and [Name], that their marriage be blessed with fidelity, joy, and patience, we pray to the Lord.
- For the parents and families who have nurtured [Name] and [Name], that they may rejoice in the love they see fulfilled today, we pray to the Lord.
- For all who are called to the vocation of marriage, that they embrace their calling with generosity and a spirit of true partnership, we pray to the Lord.
Nuptial Mass option 3
- For the Church community gathered here, that we may always support the marriages among us with our encouragement and prayers, we pray to the Lord.
- For all government and civic leaders, that they may enact laws protecting and supporting the family unit, we pray to the Lord.
- For [Name] and [Name], that they may be faithful to each other and to the Gospel, living out their promises with deep commitment and loving service, we pray to the Lord.
- For those in troubled marriages, that they may find healing, reconciliation, and new strength in God’s love, we pray to the Lord.
- For the deceased members of both families, that they may enjoy perfect happiness and total fulfillment in eternal life, we pray to the Lord.
Nuptial Mass option 4
- For the Church, that it may be a living example of self-giving love and a source of spiritual nourishment to all families, we pray to the Lord.
- For the leaders of our communities, that they may value the sanctity of the family and work to create conditions favorable to its growth, we pray to the Lord.
- For [Name] and [Name], as they begin their married life together, that their home may be filled with joy, laughter, and the presence of Christ, we pray to the Lord.
- For those who suffer from physical, mental, or spiritual hardships, that they may experience the healing power of Christ’s love, we pray to the Lord.
- For the friends and benefactors of [Name] and [Name], that they may be blessed for their kindness and love, we pray to the Lord.
Nuptial Mass option 5
- For the holy Church on earth, that it may thrive as a community of love and a place of welcome for all who seek peace and truth, we pray to the Lord.
- For all nations and peoples, that they may work together towards achieving peace and enhancing the common good, we pray to the Lord.
- For [Name] and [Name], now united in holy matrimony, that they may cherish, respect, and uplift each other throughout their lives together, we pray to the Lord.
- For all families, especially those facing difficulties, that they may find strength and consolation in God’s loving plan for them, we pray to the Lord.
- For the elderly and the sick, that they may be surrounded by friends and family who cherish them, we pray to the Lord.
Nuptial Mass option 6
- For the Holy Catholic Church: that it may be a beacon of divine truth and love, guiding all married couples towards greater sanctity, we pray to the Lord.
- For peace across our world: that the spirit of unity which blesses this marriage today may extend to heal divisions among all peoples, we pray to the Lord.
- For [Name] and [Name], united today in holy matrimony: may their love grow deeper each day, may they cherish each moment together, and may their journey be filled with grace and mutual respect, we pray to the Lord.
- For the grace of lifelong fidelity and patience: that [Name] and [Name] may always find in each other a loving heart and a listening ear, we pray to the Lord.
- For all married couples present here: that they may renew their commitment to one another and find their marriages strengthened and refreshed by today’s celebration, we pray to the Lord.
- For all the faithful departed, especially those dear to us: that they may rest in the peace of Christ and enjoy the vision of God with the saints in heaven, we pray to the Lord.
Preparing the prayers with your parish
Replace [Names] with the couple’s names. Where an intention uses N., supply the name agreed with the family or use a general wording for the departed. Confirm names and pronunciation before the celebration, and share only details the people concerned are comfortable having announced.
The options are alternatives, not one combined script. Keep your chosen intentions brief and focused, with room for the needs of the Church, the world and people experiencing difficulty as well as the couple and their families. Your parish can help you choose the number and wording appropriate to your celebration.
At Mass, the priest introduces and concludes the Universal Prayer; the intentions may be announced by a deacon or another suitable minister. The assembly joins in with the agreed response or silent prayer. For a wedding without Mass, follow the order and ministerial roles provided by your parish rather than adapting a Mass script on your own.
How many prayers of the faithful are there in a wedding?
There is no fixed number. Most weddings use four to six short intentions, and some parishes allow one or two more. The General Instruction of the Roman Missal (no. 70) gives the usual order of intentions (the Church, public authorities and the whole world, people in any kind of difficulty, the local community) and says that at a celebration such as a marriage the intentions may focus more closely on the occasion. A balanced set usually prays:
- for the couple, their love and their life together;
- for their families and friends;
- for the Church and the world;
- for people facing difficulties, including couples whose marriages are troubled;
- for the local community;
- for the deceased members of both families. This is a prayer for the departed, which is different from asking the saints to pray for us.
The priest’s introduction and closing prayer are not counted among the intentions. Ask the priest or deacon how many the parish normally uses, and agree the final text with them.
For the reader’s preparation, see how to read the prayers of the faithful. For another occasion, see the wedding anniversary intercessions.
Liturgical references: GIRM 69-71 on the Universal Prayer, the full General Instruction of the Roman Missal and the USCCB’s Catholic wedding resources. These examples do not replace the ritual texts supplied by the parish.
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