Wedding Topics

Alleluia verse and verse before the Gospel

Following is the text of the four options for the verse that is said or sung before the Gospel reading during a Catholic wedding (The Order of Celebrating Matrimony #174-177). To see the verse in context, check the order of a Catholic wedding ceremony during Mass or the order of a Catholic wedding ceremony outside Mass.

Excerpts from the English translation of The Roman Missal © 2010, International Commission on English in the Liturgy Corporation (ICEL); excerpts from the English translation of The Order of Celebrating Matrimony © 2013, ICEL. All rights reserved.

Excerpts from the Lectionary for Mass for Use in the Dioceses of the United States of America, second typical edition © 2001, 1998, 1997, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Inc. and some additional texts copyright © 2016, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, Washington, DC. All rights reserved. No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form without the permission in writing form the copyright holder.

Individuals who wish to reproduce text from The Order of Celebrating Matrimony for their own use (including reproduction in wedding programs) must follow the ICEL copyright permission procedures, which may be found at www.icelweb.org.

Option 1

1 John 4:7b
Everyone who loves is begotten of God and knows God.

Option 2

1 John 4:8b and 11
God is love;
Let us love one another, as God has loved us.

Option 3

1 John 4:12
If we love one another,
God remains in us
and his love is brought to perfection in us.

Option 4

1 John 4:16
Whoever remains in love,
remains in God and God in him.

For more information

Order of a Catholic wedding ceremony during Mass
A step-by-step walk through the complete order of the Catholic wedding Mass.

Order of a Catholic wedding ceremony outside Mass
A step-by-step walk through the complete order of a Catholic wedding outside of Mass.

Order of a wedding between a Catholic and an unbaptized person
A step-by-step walk through the complete order of a wedding between a Catholic and someone who has not been baptized as a Christian.

Choosing the form of your wedding
As you begin planning your wedding, one of the first things you will discuss with the priest or deacon at your parish is which form of the Rite of Marriage you will use during your wedding. Here are the three basic options.