Blessing Wedding Rings: Beyond Church Walls

Wedding rings are often blessed as part of a religious wedding ceremony. However, some couples opt for a civil ceremony, which may take place outside of a church. In such cases, the couple may wish to have their wedding rings blessed separately. While some priests may be hesitant to bless rings outside of the wedding ceremony, it is possible to have a ring blessing ceremony that is separate from the wedding itself. This can be a beautiful way to renew vows and symbolise the eternal love and commitment between two people.

Catholics are obliged to have their wedding rings blessed by a priest during the marriage ceremony in a church

For Catholics, marriage is a sacrament, like baptism or confirmation, and is therefore a sacred event. A Catholic wedding is typically held in a church, and the marriage ceremony is usually officiated by a priest or deacon. The priest or deacon plays an important role in blessing the wedding rings, which are exchanged by the couple as a symbol of their love and fidelity.

During the wedding ceremony, the priest makes the sign of the cross over the rings and says, "May the Lord bless these rings, which you will give to each other as a sign of your love and fidelity." The bride and groom then exchange rings, promising love and fidelity in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. This ritual is elevated to a very solemn level, and the rings become a sacred sign of the couple's alliance.

In the Catholic Church, marriage between two Catholics or between a Catholic and a non-Catholic Christian is considered a sacrament. The Church teaches that the sacrament of marriage is not just for the good of the couple but for the community as a whole. Therefore, it is important for Catholics to have their wedding rings blessed by a priest during the marriage ceremony in a church.

While civil weddings or weddings outside the Catholic Church may be legally valid, they are not recognized as sacramentally valid by the Catholic Church. If a Catholic couple chooses to marry outside the Church, they can still have their marriage recognized by the Church through a convalidation ceremony. This ceremony legitimizes their union in the eyes of the Church and God, fulfilling their obligation to have their marriage sacramentally blessed.

In summary, Catholics are strongly encouraged to have their wedding rings blessed by a priest during the marriage ceremony in a church. This blessing is a sacred ritual that symbolizes the couple's commitment to each other and their faith. While there may be exceptions and alternatives for unique circumstances, the Church's preference is to uphold the sacrament of marriage within the sacred space of a church.

Wedding rings are not sacramentals, but the blessing of them is a sacrament

Firstly, it is essential to understand the difference between a sacrament and a sacramental. A sacrament is a sacred ritual or ceremony, recognised by the Church, that confers divine grace upon those receiving it. A sacramental, on the other hand, is an object that has been blessed by a priest or deacon, and is believed to confer spiritual benefits or protection upon the user. Sacramentals are physical objects that act as a conduit for God's grace, often used in prayer or devotion. Examples include crucifixes, rosaries, statues, and scapulars.

Wedding rings themselves are not considered sacramentals, as they are not inherently blessed objects. They are pieces of jewellery, often made from precious metals, that are exchanged during a wedding ceremony as a symbol of the couple's love and commitment. However, the act of blessing the wedding rings is considered a sacraments. This is because the blessing is performed by a priest or deacon during the wedding ceremony, and it is intended to bestow God's grace and protection upon the couple as they exchange their vows and rings.

The blessing of the wedding rings is a significant part of the wedding ritual, whether it takes place in a church or outside of it. The priest or deacon will typically make the sign of the cross over the rings and say a prayer, such as, "May the Lord bless these rings, which you will give to each other as a sign of your love and fidelity." The rings then become sacred symbols of the couple's alliance and commitment to one another.

In some cases, couples may choose to have their wedding rings blessed outside of the official wedding ceremony, either before or after the wedding. This may occur if the couple is having a civil wedding or if they are unable to have their rings blessed during the ceremony for some reason. In these instances, a priest may still perform a blessing for the couple, but it is important to understand that the blessing is not a sacramental act that transfers power to the rings themselves. Rather, it is a prayer for the couple's wellbeing and happiness, invoking God's presence and favour upon their marriage.

Blessings can be given by a priest to individual people, but not to a couple

In the Catholic Church, the blessing of wedding rings is a sacred ritual that takes place during the marriage ceremony. The priest makes the sign of the cross on the rings and says:

> "May the Lord bless these rings, which you will give to each other as a sign of your love and fidelity."

The bride and groom then exchange the rings, promising love and fidelity and invoking the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. This exchange of rings and blessings in the name of the Triune God elevates the ritual to a solemn level, and the rings become a sacred symbol of the couple's alliance.

While some couples may choose to have a civil wedding outside of a church, Catholics are typically expected to have their wedding in a church to receive the blessing. A priest will usually refuse to bless the rings outside of the religious ceremony, as it sends the wrong signal of facilitating a hybrid wedding.

However, a priest may bless individuals separately, praying that God will give them the wisdom and courage to follow the teachings of the Catholic Church.

Wedding rings can be blessed in a secular or humanist ceremony, with the blessing coming from the couple and their guests

Wedding rings are often blessed during the wedding ceremony itself. In a Catholic ceremony, the priest blesses the rings by making the sign of the cross over them and saying a prayer. The rings are then exchanged by the couple, who promise love and fidelity in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. This ritual elevates the rings to a sacred status, symbolising the couple's alliance.

However, it is not necessary to have a religious figure present to bless the rings. Wedding rings can be blessed in a secular or humanist ceremony, with the blessing coming from the couple and their guests. This type of blessing does not require the invocation of a specific deity or religious tradition. Instead, the couple and their guests can bestow their own wishes and positive intentions upon the rings, infusing them with symbolic meaning and significance.

For example, the couple may wish to incorporate a ritual where their guests pass the rings around, holding them in their hands and silently or aloud offering their hopes and dreams for the couple's future. This collective act of blessing can be a powerful way to involve the community in the ceremony and to symbolise the support and love surrounding the couple as they embark on their married life together.

Another option is for the couple to write and recite their own blessing, expressing their intentions for their marriage and the meaning they wish to imbue their rings with. This personal and self-directed blessing can be a way to affirm their commitment to each other and to symbolise the strength and beauty of their union.

Ultimately, the blessing of wedding rings is a way to sanctify and imbue the rings with meaning, and this can be achieved through various rituals and ceremonies that resonate with the couple's beliefs and values.

Wedding rings can be blessed outside of a church on special occasions, such as the annual celebration of the Feast of the Holy Angels of the Portiuncula

Wedding rings are typically blessed during the wedding ceremony itself. A priest will make the sign of the cross over the rings and say:

> "May the Lord bless these rings, which you will give to each other as a sign of your love and fidelity."

The bride and groom then exchange rings, promising love and fidelity in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. This blessing and exchange of rings elevate the ritual to a solemn level, with the rings becoming a sacred symbol of the couple's alliance.

However, there are instances when wedding rings can be blessed outside of a church setting. For example, in the Cathedral of San Lorenzo in Perugia, Italy, there is a relic known as the "Santo Anello," believed to be the Blessed Virgin Mary's wedding ring. Twice a year, on July 29-30 and September 12, this relic is displayed and venerated, attracting many couples, both married and engaged. Couples are permitted to touch their wedding rings to the Santo Anello to receive a blessing on their marriage. This tradition is linked to the visions of Blessed Anne Catherine Emmerich in the 19th century, who described seeing Mary and Joseph appearing during a festival in an Italian church, with Joseph placing the ring on Mary's finger.

In addition, there may be circumstances where a couple chooses to have a civil wedding in a courthouse or other non-religious setting. In such cases, it is possible to request a priest to bless the wedding rings separately, although this may not always be granted, as it could be seen as facilitating a hybrid wedding.

Furthermore, in some traditions, there may be opportunities for couples to have their wedding rings blessed outside of the church during special occasions or celebrations. For instance, during the annual Feast of the Holy Angels of the Portiuncula, which takes place in early August, couples may have the chance to participate in ring blessing ceremonies as part of the festivities. This can be a meaningful way for couples to reaffirm their commitment and receive divine blessings on their marriage.

Overall, while the traditional setting for wedding ring blessings is within the context of a church wedding ceremony, there are certain instances and special occasions where rings can be blessed outside of this typical framework. These alternative blessings can occur in connection with sacred relics, during non-religious weddings, or as part of specific religious celebrations, each carrying its own significance and symbolism.

Frequently asked questions