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Nuptial Deities

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are those gods among the ancient heathen nations who presided over marriage ceremonies. These included some of the most eminent as well as of the inferior divinities. Juno; Jupiter, Venus, and Diana were considered so indispensable to the celebration of all marriages that none could be solemnized without them. Besides, several inferior gods and goddesses were worshipped on such occasions. Jugatinus joined the bride and bridegroom together in the yoke of matrimony; Domiducus conducted the bride to the house of the bridegroom; Viriplaca reconciled husbands to their wives; Manturna was invoked that the wife might never leave her husband but abide with him on all occasions, whether in prosperity or adversity. (See MARRIAGE).

The Roman Missal has a "Mass for the Bridegroom and Bride," which may be said on certain days as a votive mass, after the nuptial ceremony. This mass has its own introit, gradual, tract, epistle (Ephesians 5:22-33), gospel (Matthew 19:3-6), and prayers; but the commemoration of it may be introduced into the mass. for a Sunday, etc. The following is its nuptial benediction:

"The God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob be with you, and, himself fulfill his own-blessing you; that you may see your children's children to the third and fourth generation, and afterwards have eternal life without end, by the help of our Lord Jesus Christ, who, with the Father and the Holy Ghost, liveth and reigneth God, world without end. Amen." The priest solemnly admonishes them to be faithful to one another, to remain chaste in the time of prayer, and especially of fasts and solemnities, to love one another, and to keep themselves of the fear of God; and then sprinkles them with holy water; after which the mass is finished in the usual manner. The nuptial benediction is withheld, mass is not celebrated, nor is solemnization of marriage in the church allowed, where one of the parties is a heretic or schismatic. (See MATRIMONY).