14/08/2021
Hi Class
I know it's been a while now but I am back. While I have been away I have been loving and missing you all. "Absence makes the heart grow fonder'
Hope we are all coping with the trend.
LESSON 2
THE EX*****ON OF THE MARRIAGE MANDATE:
This lesson will in segments examine the most important part of a Wedding Ceremony ( The Ex*****on of the Marriage Mandate) under the following sub titles;
a) The Declaration of Intent/Consent.
b)The Exchange of Wedding Vows
c)The Exchange of Rings
d) Signing of the Legal Document
e)The Official presentation if the Couples
f) Photography.
a)THE DECLARATION OF INTENT/ CONSENT.
In the Creation story, as had earlier mentioned, God created the Woman to serve as a Companion to the Man which initially informally conceived the institution of Marriage.
Furthermore in 1st Corinthians, Chapter 7 , 1-6, Paul to the church in Corinth warns;
" It is good for a man not to marry, but since there is so much immorality, each man should have his own wife and each woman her own husband. The husband should fulfil his marital duties to his wife and likewise the wife to her husband. The wife's body does not belong to her alone, but also to her husband. In the same way the husband's body does not belong to him alone but also to his wife. Do not deprive each other except by marital consent and for a time so that you may devote yourself to prayer. Then come together again so that Satan will not tempt you because of your lack of self control."
I say this as a concession but not as a Command"
These days people enter into Marriage for so many other personal reasons which at times can be inimical to a successful marital relationship after the marriage ceremony.
Marriage is serious business lasting for a lifetime and indeed one big risk couples enter into and that is why the Officiant would ask the bride and the groom separately before the exchange of Vows;
"Will you have this man /Woman to live together in the Covenant of Marriage, will you have him or her, love him /her, honour him /her, , In sickness and in health, forsaking all others, be faithful to each other as long as you both shall live etc, etc ?"
The above is called the Declaration of intent/ Consent to which each of the spouse should respond in the affirmative.
The Declaration of Intent /Consent is to ensure that the couples have not been coerced and are mindful, prepared and ready to undertake this unknown journey unconditionally.
This Declaration also serves to raises the awareness of the couples to the serious, solemn, sacred and covenantal decision the couples are about to undertake in the presence of a Congregation of Witnesses.
It is after and only when the Couples have given their consent that the Officiant will go ahead with the Exchange of Vows.
Please note that the officiant could either use the Traditional Declaration or the Couples could write their own Declaration if they desire. This could be done in the form of a letter addressed to each spouse and read separately to both by either the Officiant or the couples themselves.
The difference between the Traditional and the personalized Declaration is that the personalized Declaration is highly romanticised while the Traditional one is simple and direct in addressing the intent.
For the personalized Declaration, the couples submit their letters to the Officiant for approval days before the Wedding Ceremony. Both carry the content of Consent / Intent.
Please feel free to ask me questions on the Lessons I have taught do far.
