This chapter finishes Maxon's POV of the wedding. I know it isn't the most fun to read, but action will start happening soon.
I have at least two more chapters ready to post right now, and hopefully, I'll be able to write more.
Thank you to chickennuggetsssss for favoriting the story! Thanks for all of your support!
-CL
The congregation stands while Father says, "Pray, brothers and sisters, that my sacrifice and yours may be acceptable to God, the almighty Father." Father goes through the Eucharistic Prayer, which involves us kneeling and singing songs, such as "Holy, Holy," "When we eat this bread and drink this cup, we proclaim your death, O Lord, until you come again," and "Amen". We then stand and say, "Our Father, who art in Heaven, hallowed be Thy name, Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in Heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us, and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil."
Father gestures for us to kneel in front of the altar. We kneel in front of the altar, and Father says, "Dear brothers and sisters, let us humbly pray to the Lord that on these His servants, now married in Christ, He may mercifully pour out the blessing of His grace and make of one heart in love by the Sacrament of Christ's Body and Blood those He has joined by a holy covenant." He extends his hands over us and says, "O God, who by your mighty power created all things out of nothing, and, when You had set in place the beginnings of the universe, formed man and woman in Your own image, making the woman an inseparable helpmate to the man, that they might no longer be two, but one flesh, and taught that what You were pleased to make one must never be divided; O God, who consecrated the bond of Marriage by so great a mystery that in the wedding covenant You foreshadowed the Sacrament of Christ and His Church; O God, by whom woman is joined to man and the companionship they had, in the beginning, is endowed with the one blessing not forfeited by original sin nor washed away by the flood. Look now with favor on these Your servants, joined together in Marriage, who ask to be strengthened by Your blessing. Send down on them the grace of the Holy Spirit and pour Your love into their hearts, that they may remain faithful in the Marriage covenant. May the grace of love and peace abide in Your daughter Bella Rose Schreave, and let her always follow the example of those holy women whose praises are sung in the Scriptures. May her husband entrust his heart to her, so that, acknowledging her as his equal and his joint heir to the life of grace, he may show her due honor and cherish her always with the love that Christ has for His Church. And now, Lord, we implore You: may these Your servants hold fast to the faith and keep Your commandments; made one in the flesh, may they be blameless in all they do; and with the strength that comes from the Gospel, may they bear true witness to Christ before all; may they be blessed with children, and prove themselves virtuous parents, who live to see their children's children. And grant that, reaching at last together the fullness of years for which they hope, they may come to the life of the blessed in the Kingdom of Heaven. Through Christ our Lord."
"Amen."
Bella and I stand. We do the sign of peace. Bella and I do a fast kiss on the lips and say, "Peace be with you." We sing the "Lamb of God", then kneel.
Father says, "Behold the Lamb of God, behold Him who takes away the sins of the world, blessed are those called to the supper of the Lamb."
The congregation answers, "Lord, I am not worthy that You should enter under my roof, but only say the word and my soul shall be healed."
Father distributes communion to the people at the altar, then comes to Bella. He holds up a host. "Body of Christ."
Bella says, "Amen," and sticks out her tongue. Father places the host on her tongue.
Father brings the chalice forward and says, "Blood of Christ."
"Amen," and she grabs the chalice and lifts it to her lips. She hands it back to Father.
Father distributes communion to everyone else and comes back. He cleans up the altar and sits down in his chair. "Let us pray," he says standing up. We all stand up. "Bow your head. May God the eternal Father keep you of one heart in love for one another, that the peace of Christ may dwell in you and always abide in your home."
Bella and I respond, "Amen."
"May you be blessed in your children, have solace in your friends and enjoy true peace with everyone."
"Amen."
"May you be witnesses in the world to God's charity, so that the afflicted and needy who have known your kindness may one day receive you thankfully
into the eternal dwelling of God."
"Amen."
"And may almighty God bless all of you, who are gathered here, the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit."
All of us respond, "Amen."
"Go in peace to glorify the Lord with your life."
"Thanks be to God."
The organ starts to play and we all procession out of the church. We finish and Bella and I turn to each other. Bella hands her bouquet to America and she jumps in my arms. We kiss passionately, but we can't kiss as long as I would like. She pulls away when she realizes our wedding guests are cheering. She shyly waves and looks at me. "I love you," she says. "Let's get ready for the reception."