Article — Wouters, Manual of Moral Theology
Article II. On the Rite of Blessing, or on the Solemn Blessing of Nuptials
I. Notion of the solemn blessing. The solemn blessing of nuptials, which is found in the Mass inscribed "Mass for Bridegroom and Bride," consists of three prayers, namely Propitiare, Deus qui potestate, and Deus Abraham. The first two are said immediately after the Pater noster, the third before the prayer Placeat tibi, Sancta Trinitas.
II. Nuptials which can be blessed. All nuptials can be blessed, except: 1° marriages between a Catholic party and a non-Catholic party (canon 1102, § 2); 2° if it is a question of a woman to whom the solemn blessing has once been given (canon 1143); 3° if there is question of a man who has once received the solemn blessing, unless a contrary custom is in force, for this must be observed;2 4° if it is a question of marriage with one notoriously excommunicated.3
III. Obligation of the solemn blessing. For the faithful there seems to be an obligation of requesting the solemn blessing on the occasion of marriage or afterwards. But the obligation lies upon the pastor of taking care that the faithful receive it at the time of the nuptials or shortly after. Yet the obligation of each is only light; indeed, if the spouses have already lived for a long time in marriage, a true obligation seems to be absent.
The obligation of the faithful seems to be deduced from the response of the Holy Office which speaks of "the precept of the Church."4
The obligation of the pastor follows from canon 1101, § 1, from the Roman Ritual,5 from several responses of the Sacred Congregations,6 and from the obligation of the faithful.
That the obligation is only light is admitted rather commonly (St. Alphonsus VI, 984, 988). That the obligation is absent if the spouses have already lived for a long time in marriage seems to have to be deduced from these words of canon 1101, § 1: "which can be given to them even after they have lived for a long time in marriage." If, however, it is requested, the pastor is bound to grant it.7
IV. At what time can the solemn blessing be imparted? 1. The solemn blessing cannot be given except within Mass (canon 1101, § 1).8
- It can be imparted on all days, except:
a) During the closed time (canon 1101, § 1), that is, from the first Sunday of Advent up to and including the day of the Nativity of the Lord, and from Ash Wednesday up to and including Easter Sunday (canon 1108, § 2). Yet local Ordinaries can, with due regard for liturgical laws, permit it even in the aforesaid times for a just cause, with the spouses warned that they abstain from excessive pomp (canon 1108, § 3).9 If the nuptials are celebrated during the closed time, with the nuptial blessing not granted by the Ordinary, the Mass with its proper blessing is deferred to the day on which, outside the closed time, the Mass for Bridegroom and Bride or its commemoration is permitted.10
b) On the day of the Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed.11
c) If only one Mass is celebrated on a day on which a funeral Mass must be said which cannot be deferred.
d) During a general local interdict (canon 2271, 2°); likewise in a parish church, during a particular local interdict laid upon that church (canon 2272, § 3, 2°).12
V. Who can impart the solemn blessing? Only that priest, either himself or through another, can give the solemn blessing who can validly and licitly assist at the marriage (canon 1101, § 2). Moreover, it is not prohibited that one person take part in the marriage, and another celebrate the Mass and also impart the solemn blessing - not another, for example a deacon.
VI. Things to be noted. 1. On days on which the Mass "for Bridegroom and Bride" is permitted, this Mass must be said,13 and it is illicit to add the nuptial blessing to the Mass of the office of the day; but when the said Mass is prohibited, the nuptial blessing is added to the Mass of the office of the day.
Within the same Mass several persons can receive the nuptial blessing, with the formulas of the blessing changed and pronounced only once.14
Although there is no obligation of communicating within the nuptial Mass, nevertheless the spouses are to be exhorted to communicate in the said Mass, or at least on that day.15
1 We follow our little work On the Form of the Promise and Celebration of Matrimony.
2 Roman Ritual, title VII, chapter 1, n. 18. The Holy See, however, sometimes permits that special prayers be recited over a widow already blessed; see the formula in the Roman Ritual, Appendix on Matrimony II.
3 Roman Ritual, loc. cit.; rescript of Pius VI to Cardinal de Franckenberg, July 13, 1782; Sacred Penitentiary, December 10, 1860.
4 July 6, 1817 (Collectanea, n. 725).
5 Roman Ritual, loc. cit., n. 16.
6 Sacred Congregation of Propaganda Fide, September 21, 1843, ad II (Collectanea, n. 971); Holy Office, August 31, 1881 (Collectanea, n. 1457).
7 Holy Office, August 31, 1881 (Collectanea, n. 1457).
8 Roman Ritual, title VII, chapter 1, n. 16; Sacred Congregation of Rites, June 23, 1853 (n. 1557); August 14, 1858 (n. 3079); Holy Office, August 31, 1881. The Holy See sometimes permits that, when Mass is not said, the nuptial blessing be granted outside Mass, according to the formula of the Roman Ritual, On Matrimony I.
9 Sacred Congregation of Rites, September 25, 1875, ad I (n. 3380).
10 Roman Missal, Additions and Variations II, n. 2.
11 Roman Missal, Rubrics in the votive Mass for Bridegroom and Bride.
12 Holy Office, September 3, 1817 (Collectanea, n. 726).
13 Holy Office, September 1, 1841, 5° (Collectanea, n. 938).
14 Sacred Congregation of Rites, June 23, 1853, ad I (n. 3016); June 30, 1896, ad VI (n. 3922).
15 Sacred Congregation of Rites, March 21, 1874 (n. 3329); June 30, 1896, ad VI (n. 3922).