Catholic Ceremony Readings...

HELP! I can't find reading that I like. If you are marrying in a church, what are you using?

Do you know if the Catholic Church allows the Hands Prayer?

THANKS!!!

They allow it, just double check with your church to be sure.

My readings are picked out from the book, I forgot what I picked

We also picked our readings from the 'Together for Life' book. But we also used a poem in place of the first reading since we didn't like any of the Old Testament readings. It was called the 'Key to Love'. It was a big hit, and many people commented on it after the ceremony.


The key to love is understanding, the ability to comprehend not only the spoken word, but those unspoken gestures, the little things that say so much by themselves.

The key to love is forgiveness, to accept each others faults and pardon mistakes, without forgetting, but with remembering what you learn from them.

The key to love is sharing, facing your good fortunes as well as the bad, together; both conquering problems, forever searching for ways to intensify your happiness.

The key to love is giving, without thought of return,
but with the hope of just a simple smile, and by giving in but never giving up.

The key to love is respect, realizing that you are two separate people, with different ideas; that you don't belong to each other, that you belong with each other.

The key to love is inside us all. It takes time and patience to unlock all the ingredients that will take you to its threshold. It is the continual learning process that demands a lot of work, but the rewards are more than worth the effort, and that is the key to love.

We wanted very short reading because we used the Hands Ceremony and also did the Unity Candle, and did not want it to run too long. This is what we used.

First reading – Isaiah 55:10-13

As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it. You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands. Instead of the thornbush will grow the pine tree, and instead of briers the myrtle will grow. This will be for the Lord’s renown, for an everlasting sign, which will not be destroyed.



Second Reading – 1 John 1-5


Beloved, let us love one another since love comes from God and everyone who loves is begotten by God and knows God. Anyone who fails to love can never have known God, because God is love. Beloved, since God has loved us so much, we too should love one another. God will live in us and his love will complete in us.