by Frances Gumley
Marriage is the theme of the April edition of the liturgy bulletin of the Southwark archdiocese*. Welcoming this emphasis, Archbishop Michael Bowen of Southwark said that too frequently the liturgy of the sacrament was overlooked.
"Since marriage occurs within a liturgical rite, the liturgy is central," he said. "As the ones who minister and receive this sacrament, the bride and bridegroom are involved in a unique way and should be encouraged to help prepare the liturgy for the wedding."
He explained that the Nuptial Mass opened a window to the other sacraments and to the whole of the Christian Faith.
4, Archbishop Bowen has already released a detailed policy for the preparation and pastoral supervision in his archdiocese. In next month's liturgy bulletin Fr John Jukes, OFM, praises the initiative and welcomes the challenge it has
given to both clergy and couples preparing for marriage.
He comments: "Everyone feels that marriage should work. It should be joyful and fulfilling, it should be fruitful, it should be healing and reassuring.
Mr Tom Coyle, the secretary for the Southwark Commission for the Liturgy stresses the importance of community involvement on a parish level. "In these days married couples need all the support they can get if their marriage is to be truly Christian and they need to feel the love and strength and the community and to know they are being prayed for," *The Southwark Liturgy Bulletin is available from Mr John Robson. 137 Hamilton Avenue, Tolworth. Surhiton. Surrey.