Mexican Catholic ceremony - prayers for the Lazo

[Maura]

We are having a traditional Mexican Catholic ceremony, and we are doing some parts in English and some parts in Spanish. We have a copy of the folleto Matrimonio (preparacion de la ceremonia liturgica) but we can't find anything in it about what is said during the draping of the lazo!

Can anybody help me?

[Sandra E.]

Maura, I found this online. I hope it helps.


The moment the priest/minister asks for the rings, after the vows he calls for the arras, and each one (you and your fiancee) have to say:
-He goes first: "here are this arras, as symbol that nothing would be missing at our home"
-You accepting them: "I accept them, as symbol of the care I would have for our home"
and that's it for the arras.

For the lazo, after the little act of the arras, the couple stands up, and covering your fiancee with your Veil, they put one side of the lazo to you, and one to your fiancee. It's stays there after both of you have received communion, and after that they take it away.

[Maura]

mmm... no this is not quite right according to my booklet in spanish.

i already have the wording for the arras, but can't find any info on what should be said during the draping of the lazo

[Sandra E.]

Originally Posted by Maura

mmm... no this is not quite right according to my booklet in spanish.

i already have the wording for the arras, but can't find any info on what should be said during the draping of the lazo

Ok. I'm going to email my Mom let me see if she knows. I'll let you know.

[Maura]

you're supposed to be kneeling on the cojines when they drape the lazo, the side of the lazo going over the groom is placed first, then the other half is draped over the bride.

i just cannot find anything about what the priest should say

[starchild]

Do you think the priest can tell you?

[Maura]

Originally Posted by starchild

Do you think the priest can tell you?

no - he sent us an email this morning saying that the lazo part is the one part he does not know and is not very familiar with so he doesnt know what to say during that, and he cant find anything about it either (obviously, because he is at a church in the US in a non-hispanic community, so theres nowhere for him to find anything in spanish really)

[starchild]

Originally Posted by Maura

no - he sent us an email this morning saying that the lazo part is the one part he does not know and is not very familiar with so he doesnt know what to say during that, and he cant find anything about it either (obviously, because he is at a church in the US in a non-hispanic community, so theres nowhere for him to find anything in spanish really)

Oh that's right...hmmm I can't find anything about the wording online! I wonder if your priest can contact a parish in Mexico and get the official info? You may be able to get the info or get pointed in the right direction through the archdiocese of Chicago.
Archdiocese of Chicago

[Maura]

ok, good news! just got back from the catholic bookstore that is several blocks away from my office (that a coworker of jose's recommended) ---- they have a wonderful man there named Juan who helped me (and they have an entire section in Spanish in the back!).

there is NO formal text for the priest to say during the draping of the lazo. HOWEVER, Juan did show me this huge (and expensive, like $60) prayer book that is in spanish and focuses on family-oriented prayers. there was a very lovely prayer in the back of the husbands/wives section and he suggested that the priest say this prayer while our padrinos are draping the lazo:

Te alabamos y te benedecimos,
oh Dios, creador de todas las cosas,
que al principio creaste al hombre y a la mujer
para que formaran una unidad de vida y de amor;
también te damos gracias,
porque te dignaste benedecir la unión familiar
de tus servidores (nombre del novio) y (nombre de la novia),
para que fuera imagen de la unión de Cristo con su Iglesia;
tú que los has mantenido unidos por el amor
en sus penas y alegrías,
míralos hoy con benevolencia;
renueva constantemente su alianza nupcial,
acrecienta su amor, fortalece su vínculo de paz,
para que gocen siempre de tu bendición.
Por Jesucristo, nuestro Señor.

and then, after the draping of the lazo (by the padrinos), Juan showed me a very nice "oración de la pareja" for the bride and groom to say together/to each other --- hope this helps someone!

(juntos los dos:)
O dios, nuestro Padre en el Cielo,
ahora nos arrodillamos frente a ti
muy felices pero un poco
nerviosos. Sentimos que al
principio nos acercaste, ayudaste a
que nuestro amor creciera y en este
momento estás con nosotros de
una manera muy especial.
Te pedimos que te quedes con
nosotros en el futuro. Protégenos
de qualquier cosa que pueda
hacerle mal a este matrimonio,
danos valor cuando vengan los
problemas, enséñanos a
perdonarnos cuando fallamos.

(El esposo:)
Te pido la ayuda que necesito para ser un buen esposo y un buen padre. Nunca dejes que tome a mi esposa por sentado o que me olvide de que necesita ser amada. Si tu nos bendices con hijos, te prometo que los amaré, los cuidaré y les daréel mejor ejemplo posible.

(La esposa:)
Te pido la ayuda que necesito para ser una buena esposa y una buena madre. Que nunca deje de darle ánimo a mi esposo. Si me bendices con la maternidad, te prometo darme totalmente a los niños, hasta el punto de quitarme del medio cuando ellos tengan que ir solos.

(Juntos los dos:)
Por último te pedimos que en nuestra vejez nos amemos tanto y tan profundamente como lo hacemos en este momento. Que nos concedas estos deseos que te ofrecemos por medio de tu Hijo, Jesucristo, nuestro Señor y Salvador.

[jmiranda]

Let me contact my cousin she should have that information. I will get back to you.