8 Traditional Irish Prayers For Your Marriage

The Emerald Isle, Ireland, has a deep faith that runs back to the time of Saint Patrick himself. Out of this long tradition of faith, coupled with a unique Irish perspective, have come some of the most beautiful and elegantly simple prayers.

One particular prayer tradition from Ireland is wedding blessings meant to be prayed on wedding days and by spouses throughout their marriage.

Here are a few traditional Irish wedding blessings:

“May the raindrops fall lightly on your brow

May the soft winds freshen your spirit

May the sunshine brighten your heart

May the burdens of the day rest lightly upon you

And may God enfold you in the mantle of His love.”

~ Irish Marriage Prayer

“May you have love that never ends,

lots of money, and lots of friends.

Health be yours, whatever you do,

and may God send many blessings to you!”

~ Irish Words of Wisdom for Weddings

“May you always walk in sunshine.

May you never want for more.

May Irish angels rest their wings Right beside your door.”

 “May your troubles be less,

And your blessings be more.

And nothing but happiness,

Come through your door.”

~ Traditional Irish Wedding Blessing

“With the first light of sun- Bless you.

When the long day is done- Bless you.

In your smiles and your tears- Bless you.

Through each day of your years- Bless you.”

~ Traditional Irish Wedding Blessing

“May you enjoy the four greatest blessings:

Honest work to occupy you.

A hearty appetite to sustain you.

A good woman to love you.

And a wink from the God above.”

~ Irish Words of Encouragement for the Groom

“May the embers from the open hearth warm your hands,

 May the sun’s rays from the Irish sky warm your face,

May the children’s bright smiles warm your heart,

May the everlasting love I give you warm your soul.”

~ Irish Wedding Vow

“May your mornings bring joy and your evenings bring peace.

May your troubles grow few as your blessings increase.

May the saddest day of your future

Be no worse than the happiest day of your past.

May your hands be forever clasped in friendship

And your hearts joined forever in love.

Your lives are very special,

God has touched you in many ways.

May his blessings rest upon you

And fill all your coming days.”

~ Wedding Wishes From Ireland

“Happy is the bride that rain falls on

May your mornings bring joy and your evenings bring peace.

May your troubles grow few as your blessings increase.

May the saddest day of your future

Be no worse than the happiest day of your past.

May your hands be forever clasped in friendship

And your hearts joined forever in love.

Your lives are very special,

God has touched you in many ways.

May his blessings rest upon you

And fill all your coming days.

We swear by peace and love to stand,

Heart to heart and hand to hand.

Hark, O Spirit, and hear us now,

Confirming this our Sacred Vow.”

~Traditional Irish Marriage Prayer

These simple prayers truly capture the spirit of prayer in marriage. They capture the spirit of two people, praying that God bless their days and keep their marriage. A marriage rooted in God, where spouses that pray these simple prayers, are the kind of marriages that last.

How To Get A Papal Blessing For Your Marriage

Official Papal Blessings make an absolutely perfect wedding gift or an anniversary gift to your spouse. They can be received upon one’s wedding, or on the 10th, 25th, 40th, 50th, and 60th wedding anniversaries. The blessings come in the form of a beautifully ornate parchment with meticulous calligraphic text and an image of the current pontiff on the top.

These are two ways to obtain a blessing; by directly visiting The Office of Papal Charities, or by mail (they don’t accept email or phone requests).

Requests for Papal Blessings on parchment can be sent to the Office of Papal Charities only by regular post. The address is:

Elemosineria Apostolica
Parchment Office
00120 Vatican City

The request should include:
 
  • the name, surname and address of the person making the request
  • the name and surname of the person(s) for whom the blessing is being requested
  • the reason or occasion prompting the request
  • the date, the name of the Church and the address are required when the blessing is requested for the celebration of a sacrament, a religious profession or an anniversary
  • the address of where to send the parchment and payment details.
It typically takes about one month from the date when the request is received for the Apostolic Blessing parchment to be delivered. The typical cost ranges from €13-€25 plus €10-€30 for shipping. The payment should be made after you receive the Papal Blessing and can be made via a bank transfer (the banking coordinates will be sent to you in the same parcel as the parchment) or by online credit card payment via their website.