Michael W St Onge

Maria and Bennie stand in front of me holding hands

Dear family and friends

Welcome to this beautiful occasion and day. My name is Mike St Onge and I’m a marriage minister. I’ve known Maria for a long time so when she asked if I would preside over this wedding, I told her it was my honor. Some of you probably remember me presiding over Maria’s son Jay and Tiffany’s wedding back in 24.

Family, friends, and those who we hold dear to our hearts, we are gathered here today in the sight of God to witness and bless the joining together of Maria Theresa Short and Bennie Ray Victory Jr in Holy matrimony. Let's take a breath and a brief moment to thank God in our own thoughts for bringing us together today and all he has done for us.

(1 min. Pray in silence)

Please be seated.

Marriage is not to be entered into lightly but thoughtfully and seriously, and with a deep realization of its obligations and responsibilities. Please remember that love, loyalty, and understanding are the foundations of a happy and enduring home.

Love is a force more formidable than any other.

It cannot be seen or measured, yet it is powerful enough to transform you in a moment, and offer you more joy than any material possession ever could.

But although this love joins you together as one, remember the gift of your individuality. Cherish and affirm your differences as you love each other.

Be supportive of your strengths, and tender towards your weaknesses.

Laugh together, cry together, be comforted by each other's presence, and secure in each other's absence.

Whatever changes time may bring, let this wedding ceremony remain as a treasured memory and a guide to life.

Let us pray.

Beloved God, we welcome you and are grateful for your presence here today.

We ask that you guide and bless Maria and Bennie with a loving, healthy and happy marriage. We ask that you bless this family created by this union.

We ask that your light and grace be extended to all, that they may know you and welcome you in their lives each and every day.

Amen.

As we rejoice in Maria and Bennie’s marriage today, let us each consecrate the relationships in our own lives and rededicate ourselves to these unions we share.

Since it is your intention to enter into marriage, declare your consent before God and this gathering. Each chooses the path of loving and caring for one another and making these commitments a priority in our lives.

Let us remember, today and always, that there is nothing more important than loving one another.

Maria and Bennie, you have come together this day so that the Lord may seal and strengthen your love in the presence of this minister of His word and this community of family and friends and so, in the presence of this gathering, I ask you to state your intentions:

Have you both come here freely and without reservation to give yourselves to each other in marriage?

Maria and Bennie: “We have.”

And now Maria and Bennie will say their vows.

Christin and Michael hold the rings in their hand

These rings are the outward and visible signs of the vows and promises you have willingly exchanged. They reflect the commitment of your words.

Bless, O Lord, the giving of these rings and those who wear them. May they live in your peace and continue in your favor, through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen

Michael Give Bennie his ring for Maria

Bennie, on this day, before God, your family, and friends do you take Maria as your wife, promising to uphold the vows you have just spoken

Bennie: “I do” and places the ring on Maria’s left hand ring finger

Christin Give the ring to Maria in her right hand.

Maria, on this day before God, your family and friends do you take Bennie as your husband, promising to uphold the vows you have just spoken

Maria: “I do” and places ring on Bennie’s left hand ring finger

Thanks Michael and Christin and now you can be seated.

I love this part.

To show Christ as the center of their lives, Bennie and Maria have chosen to assemble the Unity Cross. It is a sculpture, which will serve as a lasting memory of today and the covenant that they are making.

This Metal cross and the stone base of the sculpture represent Christ being the center of this 3-part covenant and the foundation of Faith that He gives each of us. As Christians, we believe that Christ’s part in the marriage covenant is stronger than the metal and His word is set in stone.

I will now place this Metal Cross into the Base.

I pick up the long vertical piece of the Cross and say:

Bennie, this piece of the Unity Cross represents you. It represents your responsibility to God, to lead your home by God’s word. By placing this piece on the Metal Cross you promise to Maria that you will do your best to serve her, love her and support he and that you agree with this covenant. Give Bennie the long vertical piece of the cross.

I pick up the short horizontal piece of the Cross and say:

Maria, this piece of the Unity Cross represents you. It represents your strength and support to Bennie. By placing this piece on the metal cross, you promise to Bennie that you will do your best to serve him, love him, and support him and that you agree with this covenant. Give Maria the short horizontal piece of the Cross.

I pick up the bolt and say:

The smallest piece of the Unity Cross is really the most important. This bolt represents your Faith in Christ and its part of your covenant. As we place the bolt into the back of this Cross, you are recognizing that your understanding of the Faith will be the bedrock of your marriage and that it will lock you both together for as long as you both shall live. Amen

Give the bolt to Maria and Bennie and they bolt the cross together.

What a beautiful ceremony.

Let us pray.

We ask that the Holy Spirit may deepen the lives of Bennie and Maria. May the relationship, which today has been expressed, continue to grow in the years to come. Whatever changes time may bring, let this wedding ceremony remain as a treasured memory and a guide to life. May they always experience that breathless wonder that exclaims: "Out of all this world, YOU have chosen ME." When life is done and the sun is setting, may they be found then as now, still hand in hand, still thanking you for each other. Amen

And now, according to the ordinances of God and in the name of the State of Michigan, I pronounce them husband and wife.

Bennie, you may kiss your bride!

I am so proud to present to you for the first time, Mr. and Mrs. Bennie and Maria Victory!!