Catholic
Wedding:
Full Mass or Simple Ceremony?
Having a full Roman Catholic wedding takes
planning and good execution. There are several things that
must be done before even thinking about it. This is the Sacrament
of Matrimony and must be completed appropriately for the wedding
to be a traditional Catholic ceremony. The ceremony will be
like a mass that celebrates the woman and man into marriage
with God’s blessing. The wedding takes place in the church
and is considered a public ritual rather than a private ceremony.
During the wedding ceremony, as in mass, the Sacrament will
be given to all those attending. Most traditional Catholic
wedding will be performed in the late morning or early afternoon.
It is encouraged to receive the Sacrament prior to the actual
Matrimony ceremony. Make sure your wedding does not fall on
Holy Thursday or Saturday, Good Friday, a major holiday, or
during a regular congregational mass session.
Choosing
to have a Catholic ceremony means you must have your ceremony
in the church you attend. Usually
it will be arranged
in the church that the bride’s family goes to, but it can also
be held at the congregation the couple attends. There are also
some other issues you will have to make sure are complete before
you are allowed to marry with in the church. Many require that
couples take part in counseling that is conducted by the parish
priest. In addition, you will also need your Baptismal and
Conformational Certificates for both you and your fiancé.
If your partner is not Catholic, you will still have to swear
that you will continue to be Catholic and raise the children
that way, as well in front of your partner. They may or may
not have to make the same promise depending on the parish.
You will be asked to make a donation or pay a fee for having
your wedding held in the church. The couple will also be expected
to give small gifts to the alter boy and other church attendants.
If there will be an organist or singer, then you should expect
that will be extra, as well.
The music that you will be allowed to have will also depend
on the church of choice. Many churches will not allow the traditional
wedding march because it is considered secular. They will allow
you to use sacred or classical music upon approval. Some churches
will allow the wedding march theme to be played, but may request
it be done by their organist. Most times as long as the couple
declares the song of choice gives them faith in the nature
of love it will be approved. Using the Unity candle is now
discouraged believing that it is faulty symbolism. Some parishes
still recommend it and you should go with what ever your priest
says is appropriate. Some believe that it is supposed to symbolize
the bride and groom separate lives coming together as one.
If you would like to have candles, it is best to incorporate
them into the rehearsal dinner and ceremony. On the other hand,
you could request to have a candlelight blessing. This celebrates
Christ, who is symbolized by the flame. This would allow each
guest to light a candle in God’s name and ask for a blessing
for the couple. You will be able to have floral arrangements
at the wedding ceremony as long as you know they will stay
at the church. It is the belief that once the wedding has ended
the flowers should be enjoyed by the rest of the parish.
Once everyone has been seated in the church and the bride
and groom are at the alter, a formal greeting is given by the
priest. An opening prayer will be said. The homily will commence
to celebrate the marriage. Vows will be said and then the rings
will be exchanged. The rings will be handed to the priest by
the best man and blessed before handing to the groom and then
the bride. The groom always puts the ring on the bride’s finger
first. The Prayer of the Faithful follows the exchanging of
rings and vows. The Liturgy of the Eucharist now begins when
there is a Mass with the wine and bread being brought to the
alter. After everyone has received the Sacrament the priest
will offer the Nuptial Blessing. The service will then conclude
with a Blessing and a Dismissal. If there is no Mass involved
then the conclusion consists of the Lord’s Prayer and a blessing. Click
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by KissMeGoodnight.com
: 2006
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