Advice: non-Catholics at my Catholic wedding

[tsoapm]

Hi,

I don’t imagine for a moment that this question hasn’t been asked before, but I’ve been searching for longer than I thought I’d have to, so here goes:

I’m a Catholic, marrying a Catholic, and we’re having a nuptial Mass. So far, so straightforward. Now, none of the rest of my family are Catholic, so I should advise them that they should refrain from communion - very common situation.

Now, I would ask the priest to say something about this only, as my fiancee is Italian and we’re consequently marrying in Italy, that doesn’t really work.

Does anyone know a good, tactful form of words that could be put into the service sheet, to save having to approach everyone individually? I’m sure I saw a priest’s recommendation somewhere on the web which seemed pretty good. I just wish I knew where!

Naturally, I can do it from scratch myself if necessary, but I thought I’d do well to ask for advice.

Thank you in advance,
Mark

 

[SD_Catholic]

Hi,

Now, I would ask the priest to say something about this only, as my fiancee is Italian and we’re consequently marrying in Italy, that doesn’t really work.

Mark

Just curious as to why asking the priest wouldn’t work?.. Any way at funerals or weddings I’ve heard the priest say something like, “Catholics wanting to recieve communion can form a line…”, and may add that others wanting to recieve a blessing may approach with their arms crossed at their chest… This may or may not help them feel like they’re participating in a peice of the sacrament.

I would still want to ask the priest to say something first, as I’m sure he’s done it before… hope this helps

SD

 

[Schluns]

Hmmm… I’m thinking asking the priest would not work because the priest is Italian and the service will be in Italian or Latin and the non-Catholics are English speaking?

There is a distinct possibility that the priest also speaks English as it is commonly taught throughout school. But I do like the line that SD Catholic proposed: [SIGN]“Catholics wanting to recieve communion can form a line…”, and may add that others wanting to recieve a blessing may approach with their arms crossed at their chest…[/SIGN]

Could be put into the Program.

Congratulations on your upcoming wedding

 

[jlpkansas]

The one my daughter used is below.

Those who are not in communion with the Catholic Church or who are not prepared for communion, for whatever reason, are invited to come forward to receive a blessing instead of communion. To receive a blessing, please cross your arms over
your chest as you approach the minister.

God Bless!
June

 

[jlpkansas]

And we still had non-Catholics recieving Communion. Drives me crazy.

June

 

[kage_ar]

I’d advise to check with the Priest about the arms crossed blessing thing, that is not done everywhere and may not be the custom in Italy - heck, the Priest may not know what people are doing if they come up with crossed arms.

For an insert, the USCCB has prepared the guidelines that explain things well:

usccb.org/liturgy/current/intercom.shtml

Guidelines for the Reception of Communion

http://www.usccb.org/liturgy/images/solidline.gif

On November 14, 1996, the National Conference of Catholic Bishops approved the following guidelines on the reception of communion. These guidelines replace the guidelines approved by the Administrative Committee of the NCCB in November 1986. The guidelines, which are to be included in missalettes and other participation aids published in the United States, seek to remind all those who may attend Catholic liturgies of the present discipline of the Church with regard to the sharing of eucharistic communion.

For Catholics
As Catholics, we fully participate in the celebration of the Eucharist when we receive Holy Communion. We are encouraged to receive Communion devoutly and frequently. In order to be properly disposed to receive Communion, participants should not be conscious of grave sin and normally should have fasted for one hour. A person who is conscious of grave sin is not to receive the Body and Blood of the Lord without prior sacramental confession except for a grave reason where there is no opportunity for confession. In this case, the person is to be mindful of the obligation to make an act of perfect contrition, including the intention of confessing as soon as possible (canon 916). A frequent reception of the Sacrament of Penance is encouraged for all.

For our fellow Christians
We welcome our fellow Christians to this celebration of the Eucharist as our brothers and sisters. We pray that our common baptism and the action of the Holy Spirit in this Eucharist will draw us closer to one another and begin to dispel the sad divisions which separate us. We pray that these will lessen and finally disappear, in keeping with Christ’s prayer for us “that they may all be one” (Jn 17:21).
Because Catholics believe that the celebration of the Eucharist is a sign of the reality of the oneness of faith, life, and worship, members of those churches with whom we are not yet fully united are ordinarily not admitted to Holy Communion. Eucharistic sharing in exceptional circumstances by other Christians requires permission according to the directives of the diocesan bishop and the provisions of canon law (canon 844 § 4). Members of the Orthodox Churches, the Assyrian Church of the East, and the Polish National Catholic Church are urged to respect the discipline of their own Churches. According to Roman Catholic discipline, the Code of Canon Law does not object to the reception of communion by Christians of these Churches (canon 844 § 3).

For those not receiving Holy Communion
All who are not receiving Holy Communion are encouraged to express in their hearts a prayerful desire for unity with the Lord Jesus and with one another.

For non-Christians We also welcome to this celebration those who do not share our faith in Jesus Christ. While we cannot admit them to Holy Communion, we ask them to offer their prayers for the peace and the unity of the human family.