Roce Ceremony (Groom)

INSTRUCTIONS:
This is a basic template of the Roce Ceremony. Anyone using it should read through it and edit it according to the situation of the bride or groom. Please maintain a prayerful atmosphere before the ceremony begins. Please keep the following ready before the service: The Bible - a small bowl of coconut oil - a large bowl of coconut milk - a crucifix, if the ceremony is being conducted in a place away from the altar

Ent. Hymn:

We are gathering together ( or any appropriate hymn )

Introduction:

Dear friends, a wedding in the family is an occasion for rejoicing. It is a time for relatives and friends to gather to support and help. It also gives us an opportunity to pray for and bless those to be married. Today we gather around ( GROOM ) who is to wed ( BRIDE ). Most of us have seen him grow; some of us have known him as a friend, while others have had a brief acquaintance. Our presence here symbolizes our best wishes, prayers and support as he begins a new journey through life.

We listen now to a reading from the Book of Genesis that speaks of God's creative love.

Reading: Genesis 2: 21 - 24

( Preferably read from the Family Bible ) Then, God made the man fall into a deep sleep. And, while he was asleep, he took one of his ribs and closed the flesh up again forthwith. God fashioned the rib he had taken from the man into a woman, and brought her to the man. And the man said: This one at last is bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh! She is to be called Woman, because she was taken from Man. This is why a man leaves his father and mother and becomes attached to his wife, and they become one flesh.

The word of the Lord.

Blessing of Coconut Milk and Oil

Commentator:

Having blessed the Lord, we now invoke his blessings on the coconut milk and oil, which will be used for the ceremony. Both symbols come from nature on which we depend for our living. Coconut milk, which is white, signifies the purity with which ( GROOM ) approaches the Sacrament of Matrimony. The oil, which is used to anoint kings and strengthen babies after childbirth is symbolically applied to ( GROOM ) as a sign of strengthening in his marriage.

Priest:

( This prayer over the milk and the oil may be said by a priest if he is available for the ceremony. In case he is not available then one of the elders may put a few drops of holy water in the coconut milk and oil )

Prayer:

Loving Father, bless + this coconut oil and milk which will be applied to ( GROOM ) in preparation for his wedding day. May the purity of the milk remind ( GROOM ) of the big responsibility he will undertake and may the oil strengthen him all the days of his married life. We make this prayer through Christ our Lord. Amen.

The Ceremony

The first part of the ceremony consists of a prayer being recited by selected representatives who will then apply the blessed oil on the forehead of ( GROOM ) with the sign of the cross.

Our response after each prayer will be sung:

Lay your hands gently upon him, may their touch render your peace

Parents:

Lord, we are always grateful to you for the gift of ( GROOM ). You have blessed us with the joy of raising him up to see the light of this day. As he prepares to get married, we ask you to join us in blessing him that he may have a happy and fruitful marriage. May he always remember our love for him and the values with which we brought him up. May he take with him all the beautiful memories we've had as a family. For this we pray to the Lord.

Response: Lay your hands gently upon him, may their touch render your peace

Sister/Brother:

Lord, as I thank you for my brother, I pray that he will be happy in his life ahead. I'm grateful for the relationship we've shared, for the beautiful time we've spent together and for the love I have experienced through him. Please join me in blessing my brother with good health and peace of mind in his marriage. For this we pray to the Lord.

Response: Lay your hands gently upon him, may their touch render your peace

God-parents:

Lord, we thank you for the privilege of being ( GROOM )s godparents. The responsibility was indeed a blessing and we ask you to join us in blessing him as he undertakes a new role in life with his marriage. May he and his wife be a committed couple, faithful to each other and to the Church. Give them the strength to face the challenges that may come their way. For this we pray to the Lord.

Response: Lay your hands gently upon him, may their touch render your peace

Friend:

Lord, thank you for the joy of having ( GROOM ) for a friend. He has touched our lives in different ways and we appreciate his friendship. As we bless him today, may the strength of our love be with him in his marriage. For this we pray to the Lord.

Response: Lay your hands gently upon him, may their touch render your peace

(THE GROOM) now recites a prayer and everyone present will raise our right hands over him as a sign of our blessing

GROOM:

Abba Father, I believe that you have blessed me with ( NAME OF BRIDE ).

Out of all the people in the world, our paths crossed, we found each other and we love each other, because You willed it.

I thank you for my parents who have brought me up, loved me and made so many sacrifices.

I thank you for ( NAME OF BROTHERS/SISTERS ) and for the relationship we share.

I thank you for my grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins who have always been supportive and loving.

I thank you for all my friends who brought joy into my life.

As I look forward to my wedding day and my life ahead with ( NAME OF BRIDE ),

I ask for your blessings and your strength to help me through difficult and trying times that may come my way.

May my wedding day always remind me of your love for me as well as of the support and good wishes of all who have gathered here today.

May our Blessed Lady intercede for my family and me. Amen.

LEADER:

We will now begin the traditional application of the Roce. Kindly do not throw eggs or anything else on ( NAME OF THE GROOM ) as these have no place in the ceremony and it reflects disrespect to the presence of God in our midst and the generosity of the ( NAME OF THE GROOM )'s family who has graciously invited us to share in their joy. Thank you!

Hymn:

All I ask of you is forever to remember me as loving you ( or any other appropriate hymn )

Adaptation from material prepared by Fr. R Tellis

All Prayers