Inward grace

The inward grace of the Sacrament of Holy Matrimony is the grace to help the husband and wife to make their home a Christian home.

The wedding ring is put upon the fourth finger of the bride’s left hand. St Isidore, who became Bishop of Seville in the year 600 AD, speaks of the 'ring that is given by the bridegroom to the bride, both as a sign of mutual fidelity, and even more, to unite their hearts by this pledge; and therefore the ring is placed on the fourth finger because there is said to be a certain vein that flows thence to the heart'. (4) This is not actually so, but the idea behind it is true – that the ring is a sign of love and commitment.

Nuptial Mass

When the Eucharist is celebrated immediately afterwards, it is known as a Nuptial Mass.  At the end of the Prayer Book Marriage Service there is this rubric or note: “It is convenient (fitting) that the new-married persons should receive the holy Communion at the time of their Marriage, or at the first opportunity after their Marriage”. (5)