Anyone doing Blessing of the Hands?

FH and I had our last session of pre-cana last week ( ) and at the end they did this Blessing of the Hands, it was the nicest thing, we were BOTH almost crying!!!

Blessing of the Hands

Blessing of the Hands
Courtesy of Engaged Encounter of Rochester, NY

_______, please turn and face____, and hold his hands palms up, where you can see the gift that they are to you.

These are the hands, young and strong and vibrant with love, that hold yours on your wedding day, as he promises to love you all the days of his life.

These are the hands you will place with expectant joy against your stomach, until he too, feels his child stir within your womb.

These are the hands that look so large and clumsy, yet will be so gentle as he holds your baby for the first time.

These are the hands that will work long hours to earn money for you and your family.

These are the hands that will be nicked and bruised from fixing things around the house to make you more comfortable.

These are the hands that will caress your body through the years, to make the passion of love come alive in you.

These are the hands that will countless times wipe tears from your eyes; tears of sorrow and tears of joy.

These are the hands that will comfort you in illness, and hold you when fear or grief rack your mind.

These are the hands that will tenderly lift your chin and brush your check as they raise your face to look into his eyes; eyes that are filled completely with his overwhelming love and desire for you.

____, please face _______, hold her palms up, so you may see the gift they are to you.

These are the hands hold yours on your wedding day as she gives you her pledge to love you, and accepts your ring.

These are the hands that are smooth and young and carefree now, but will be lined and rougher, working to make you comfortable.

These are the hands that will hold each child in tender love, soothing them through illness, disciplining them when naughty, and wringing themselves in worry when trouble comes.

These are the hands that will hold your face and wipe tears from your eyes ? in wonder and awe that you would cry for her.

These are the hands that will hold you in joy, excitement and hope each time she tells you that you are to have another child; that together you have created a new life.

Perhaps these are the hands that will comfort you when you are told you cannot have a child, and will convince you that together you will create a new life in other ways.

These are the hands that through the years will caress your body in the passion of love, to enhance your intimacy.

These are the hands that will enter the Sacrament of Matrimony. These four hands will be your armor and shield against the evils and temptations of the world.

These are the hands that will reach out, first to each other, then united, will spread your love and your sacrament to all they touch.

These are the hands that will ease your parents? loneliness as you leave the nest, will first teach your own children the marvels of married life, and will be a sign to friends and strangers alike as to just how wonderful married life can be.

Through these four hands, God will renew His Church. These hands are the hope of a troubled humanity. These are the hands that will change the world.

---

Posted by Nora101004

Blessing of the Hands
Courtesy of Engaged Encounter of Rochester, NY

_______, please turn and face____, and hold his hands palms up, where you can see the gift that they are to you.

These are the hands, young and strong and vibrant with love, that hold yours on your wedding day, as he promises to love you all the days of his life.

These are the hands you will place with expectant joy against your stomach, until he too, feels his child stir within your womb.

These are the hands that look so large and clumsy, yet will be so gentle as he holds your baby for the first time.

These are the hands that will work long hours to earn money for you and your family.

These are the hands that will be nicked and bruised from fixing things around the house to make you more comfortable.

These are the hands that will caress your body through the years, to make the passion of love come alive in you.

These are the hands that will countless times wipe tears from your eyes; tears of sorrow and tears of joy.

These are the hands that will comfort you in illness, and hold you when fear or grief rack your mind.

These are the hands that will tenderly lift your chin and brush your check as they raise your face to look into his eyes; eyes that are filled completely with his overwhelming love and desire for you.

____, please face _______, hold her palms up, so you may see the gift they are to you.

These are the hands hold yours on your wedding day as she gives you her pledge to love you, and accepts your ring.

These are the hands that are smooth and young and carefree now, but will be lined and rougher, working to make you comfortable.

These are the hands that will hold each child in tender love, soothing them through illness, disciplining them when naughty, and wringing themselves in worry when trouble comes.

These are the hands that will hold your face and wipe tears from your eyes ? in wonder and awe that you would cry for her.

These are the hands that will hold you in joy, excitement and hope each time she tells you that you are to have another child; that together you have created a new life.

Perhaps these are the hands that will comfort you when you are told you cannot have a child, and will convince you that together you will create a new life in other ways.

These are the hands that through the years will caress your body in the passion of love, to enhance your intimacy.

These are the hands that will enter the Sacrament of Matrimony. These four hands will be your armor and shield against the evils and temptations of the world.

These are the hands that will reach out, first to each other, then united, will spread your love and your sacrament to all they touch.

These are the hands that will ease your parents? loneliness as you leave the nest, will first teach your own children the marvels of married life, and will be a sign to friends and strangers alike as to just how wonderful married life can be.

Through these four hands, God will renew His Church. These hands are the hope of a troubled humanity. These are the hands that will change the world.

---

We are doing a shortened version of this as our second reading. Our Pastor said its okay. FH's sister will read it at the end of the ceremony. I think it comes even after the Kiss. I think I am going to read it a million times so I won't cry when I hear it bc it will be so familiar. Yeah right.

Is this only a Catholic thing? My FI & I are Presbeterian & Lutheran & have never seen this before. It's so beautiful!!

We are using a variation of it:

As an expression that your hearts are joined together in love - will
you please face each other and hold hands.

As you walk together hand in hand through the seasons in your life, you will feel the gift you are to one another:

These are the hands of your best friend, holding yours on your wedding day; your love strong, vibrant and promising as a spring's first lily.

These are the hands that, with the passion and warmth of the summer sun, will work alongside yours, as together you build your home and raise your children.

These are the hands that will protect and guide you, dry your tears of joy and sorrow, as the garden of your love matures, its colours changing like autumn leaves.

And lastly, these are the hands that, in the winter of your life, aged with wisdom and experience,
will still be reaching for yours, still giving you the same unspoken tenderness and comfort with a simple caress, soft as the falling snow.

---

Posted by Summer Bride

We hope to use it in ours and I'm also Lutheran.

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So am I and we are allowed to use in. In fact, our pastor was the one that recommended it as a reading!

We're doing it also. The deacon will do this in place of the homily.


Blessing of the Hands


_____, please face _____, and hold his hands, palms up, so you may see the gift that they are to you.


These are the hands of your best friend. Young and strong, shaking with love for they are holding yours today, on your wedding day, as he promises to love you all the days of his life.


These are the hands that will work along side yours, as together you build your future, as you laugh and cry, and as you share your secrets and dreams.


These are the hands that will work long hours for you and your family.


These are the hands that will love you and cherish you through the years, for a lifetime of love.


These are the hands that will countless times wipe the tears from your eyes, whether tears of joy or sorrow.


These are the hands that will comfort you in labor, in illness, in joy, and hold you when fear or grief consumes your mind.


These are the hands that will tenderly lift your chin and brush your cheek as they raise your face to look into his eyes that are filled completely with his overwhelming love and desire for you.


_____, please hold _____ hands, palms up, so you may see the gift that they are to you.


These are the hands of your Best Friend, young and carefree, that are holding yours, today, on your wedding day, as she pledges her love and commitment to you all the days of her life.


These are the hands that will hold each child in tender love, soothing them through illness and hurt, always supporting and encouraging them along the way, and then knowing when it's time to let go.


These are the hands that will hold you tight and support you as you struggle through difficult times.


These are the hands that will comfort you when you are sick and console you when you are grieving.


These are the hands that will passionately love you and cherish you through the years, for a lifetime of happiness.


These are the hands that will give you support as she encourages you to chase down your dreams. Together as a team, everything you wish for can be realized.


Celebrant: With hand placed upon ours for a blessing


God, bless these hands and these individuals that you see before you this day. May they always be held by one another. Give them the strength to hold on during the storms of every day life. Keep them tender and gentle as they nurture each other in their wondrous love. Help these hands to continue building a relationship founded in your grace, rich in caring, and devoted to you. May Eugene and Cecilia see their four hands as healer, protector, shelter and guide. We ask this in your name. Amen.

Beautiful!!!!!!!!!! We're not catholic, but I think we're going to do that.. it is so sweet!!!!!!!!

I wanted to do it, but because we had a full mass, we did not have time

I loved it too...such a beautiful sentiment. I think we will do it when we renew our vows.

FH doesn't want a long ceremony, maybe someone will make a 'toast' at our reception stating this 'blessing'. I think that would be nice too.

I think I just figured a way around it!

Does anyone else have any other variations of this?

My mom said she'd make the 'toast' at the wedding.