WEDDING LITURGY

The model for any liturgical celebration in the Catholic tradition is the Sunday liturgy, since it is the heart of our worship life.

Liturgy is communal prayer.   The ceremony is community-oriented as well as prayerful, personal, beautiful and memorable both for the couple and for their assembled relatives and friends.

This community focus does not mean that you, as a couple, will be unable to make this celebration “your own.”  In addition to choosing members of your wedding party, you are encouraged to select from among the options provided by Catholic tradition, readings from Sacred Scripture, prayers and music, and to decide who will participate as ministers in the celebration. 

Interfaith Weddings:  It is usually preferable to celebrate the Sacrament of Marriage in the context of a Liturgy of the Word rather than a Mass.

Introductory Rites:  While guests are assembling, instrumentalists or vocal soloist may perform appropriate music.  The purpose of the prelude music is to gather up and unite the thoughts of all present and to prepare them for the celebrations of Christian marriage. 

Liturgy of the Word:  You will invite readers from among your family and friends to proclaim the first and second readings you have chosen – from the Old and New Testaments, respectively. These readers should be selected for their devotion to the Word of God, and for their ability to speak clearly in public.  Do not include the actual text of these readings and other prayers in programs or worship aids.  The assembly will benefit more from listening actively to the readings and prayers well prepared and well proclaimed.  The Responsorial Psalm and Gospel acclamation will be sung.  The cantor will sing verses of each, with the assembly singing a simple response after the verses.  The priest or deacon will proclaim the Gospel, which is followed by the homily.

Rite of Marriage:  The Marriage Rite includes the statement of the couple’s intentions, the exchange of vows, the blessing and exchange of rings, and general intercession.

Liturgy of the Eucharist:  [When celebrated in a Nuptial Mass] The gifts of bread and wine are brought to the altar by two of your family members or friends who will be participating in the Holy Communion.

Concluding Rites:  The blessing and dismissal are followed immediately by strong, joyous recessional music, which can be a song sung by the assembly or an instrumental selection.