Together for Life: Revised with the Order of Celebrating Matrimony

Together for Life: Revised with the Order of Celebrating Matrimony

Celebrating and Living the Sacrament

Together for Life has been the most trusted source for wedding planning in the Catholic Church for more than forty-five years. This new edition of Together for Life contains the new texts of the most recent translation of the Order of Celebrating Matrimony. It includes all the tools engaged couples use when meeting with a priest, deacon, or lay parish minister to plan their weddings and prepare for living the sacrament of Marriage.

Implementing the New Order of Celebrating Matrimony

Here are the key dates for use of the revised Together for Life and the Order of Celebrating Matrimony Complete Set and Ritual Cards:

May 1, 2016—Non-returnable date for the current edition of Together for Life, as well as the Rite of Marriage Complete Set and Ritual Cards

September 6, 2016—Revised Together for Life and the Order of Celebrating Matrimony Complete Set and Ritual Cards will be on sale

September 8, 2016—First liturgical use allowed of the Order of Celebrating Matrimony in parishes

December 30, 2016—Mandatory date for parishes to begin using the Order of Celebrating Matrimony

About Together for Life

Written by Msgr. Joseph Champlin (1930-2008) and first published in 1970, more than nine-million copies of Together for Life have been sold. The previous edition was updated in 2011 with the help of Rev. Peter A. Jarret, C.S.C., to include the revised liturgical texts of the third edition of the Roman Missal. The 2016 edition contains all the necessary texts from the Order of Celebrating Matrimony.

Each reading choice is accompanied by a reflection written by lay married theologians or pastoral leaders who are committed to the sacramental life of the Church. Contributors include Ann M. Garrido, Msgr. Michael Heintz, Diana Macalintal, H. Richard McCord, Geoffrey D. Miller, Tim Muldoon, Julie Hanlon Rubio, and Deacon William F. Urbine.

Together for Life includes all of the information, prayers, blessings, and readings needed to plan a wedding that will be held within Mass, without Mass, or between a Catholic and a catechumen or non-Christian. FAQs address questions couples may have about traditions such as readings, music, witnesses, and unusual circumstances.

Together for Life includes:

• Approved texts for the Order of Celebrating Matrimony and prayers from the Roman Missal

• "The Word Brought Home,” scripture commentaries by Catholic leaders

• Catechetical commentary by Rev. Peter Jarret, C.S.C., to help couples deepen their understanding of the Church's liturgy

• Hints for incorporating ethnic and cultural devotions and practices into a Catholic wedding

• Sample intercessions

• How-to guides to help parish ministers

• FAQ section about the celebration of Catholic weddings

The material in Together for Life is supported by TogetherforLifeOnline.com. The site includes an online selection form, Catholic wedding planning resources, and articles providing enrichment to both married and engaged couples.

Together for Life is also available in Spanish.

See T.H. Stemper's inventory of marriage ritual books for sale.