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If you are determined to formalize your engagement and you both profess the Catholic faith, then a church marriage will be the next step in your love story. It is an emotional and spiritual ceremony for which you will have to prepare yourself with talks and fulfill certain requirements.

But it is also a ritual full of symbolism that marks the development of the wedding, from the wedding procession to the departure of the newlyweds.

What symbols characterize Catholic religious marriage? Answer all your questions below.

1. Missal

It is usually handed out as the guests enter the church, a task that can be entrusted, for example, to a bridesmaid. It is also customary to place all the missals in a basket at the entrance, so that each person can take their own. Or, they can leave them previously deposited on the seats.

Derived from the authentic Roman missal (liturgical book), the missal consists of a booklet or guide that indicates the step by step of the Mass or Liturgy. From the time of the bride and groom's entrance, to what readings, prayers and songs will be included.

It corresponds to a detailed program of the ceremony, which will help the guests to orient themselves and actively participate in the celebration.

The Bride's Agenda

2. Mass or Liturgy

A Catholic Marriage can be done with Mass or through a Liturgy. The only difference is that the former includes the Consecration of the Bread and Wine, which can only be performed by a priest, while the Liturgy can also be officiated by a deacon.

But whether it is a marriage with Mass or Liturgy, it must always be celebrated inside a church, temple, chapel or parish. Only in exceptional cases may the priest or deacon officiate the sacrament outside a sacred place, for example, because of the grave illness of one of the contracting parties.

3. Witnesses

Upon requesting an appointment at the parish, the bride and groom make an appointment with the pastor to present the Marriage Information. Two witnesses of legal age, not relatives, who have known each other for more than two years, will attest that the bride and groom are marrying of their own free will.

And then, during the celebration of the religious marriage, at least two other witnesses of legal age, who may or may not be family members, they sign the marriage certificate at the altar The latter are known as "godparents of the sacrament or wake", although they are actually witnesses. The name of godparents responds precisely to a symbolic figure.

4. Entrance of the bride

Today, having the father walk his daughter down the aisle represents his approval and wishes of happiness to the new marriage, although the act is traditionally embodied by the father, symbolizes the blessing of father and mother .

Meanwhile, the bride's white dress evokes the purity of the bride and groom; while the Catholic Church attributes to the veil the meaning of God's protection to the home they are about to form.

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Readings

The marriage ceremony begins with readings from the Bible that have been chosen in advance by the couple, usually one from the Old Testament, one from the New Testament Letters, and one from the Gospels.

Through these readings s the couple testifies to what they believe in and want to witness through their life of love The couple chooses the readings from among their closest family members and friends, and then the priest or deacon gives a homily to deepen the readings.

6. Wedding vows and rings

What are the most recognized marriage symbols? After the monition and scrutiny, which refers to the declaration of intentions of the bride and groom, comes a key moment in the ceremony: the exchange of wedding vows.

It is at this stage that the couple gives their consent to marriage, promising to be faithful in prosperity and adversity, in sickness and in health, loving and respecting each other for life. Today, however, it is possible to personalize these promises.

Then, after being blessed by the priest or deacon, the bride and groom are ready to be betrothed with their wedding rings. First the groom places the ring on his wife's left ring finger and then the bride places the ring on her fiancé's left ring finger.

This is one of the emblematic symbols of religious marriage The rings are a sign of love and fidelity, as well as representing the eternal union between the couple. Once declared husband and wife, the bride and groom sign the marriage certificate, thus consecrating the sacrament.

7. Other symbolism

Although they are not mandatory, they can also be incorporated other rituals to a Catholic marriage .

Among them is the giving of arras, which are thirteen coins that symbolize prosperity in the new home. The arras are a pledge of God's blessing and a sign of the goods they will share. Those who give the arras to the bride and groom are called "arras godparents".

They can also include the ritual of the ribbon, in which the bride and groom are wrapped with a ribbon as a symbol of their sacred and indissoluble union. The bride and groom must kneel as a sign of adoration to God, while the "ribbon godparents" will surround them with this element, which can be a rustic string or a ribbon with pearls, among other options.

In addition, so that blessings and God's presence in the new home will not be lacking, another symbolism is to receive, from the hands of their "sponsors of the Bible and rosary", both objects to be blessed during the ceremony. While the Bible contains the Word of God, the rosary honors the Blessed Mother through prayer.

These are some of the signs and symbols of marriage whose meanings are not so well known.

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8. Throwing rice

At the conclusion of the ceremony, with the final blessing by the priest or deacon, the newlyweds leave the church to songs and applause.

And outside the church, their guests bid them farewell by throwing rice at them. Although it is not a symbol of Catholic marriage as such, nor is it exclusive to these marriages, it is a tradition that remains in force to this day.

What does it represent? augury of fertility, abundance and prosperity Today, however, you can replace the rice with rose petals, seeds, confetti or soap bubbles.

In addition to incorporating the traditions that seem appropriate, with their respective signs and symbols of the sacrament of marriage, you can also personalize the readings and choose the musical repertoire that is to your liking. For example, include a modern version of the "Hail Mary" for the moment when you exchange your wedding rings.