Catholic Wedding

[Nick]

I am going to my first Catholic wedding this weekend, and I just wanted to know if there will be Communion? Is it a Mass? Many of my friends who are also attending the wedding are non-Catholic or fallen away Catholics. Am I obliged to tell them that they cannot receive communion, or should I leave that to the priest? Shouldn’t the priest assume that there are some non-Catholics at the wedding, and therefore make a general announcement about who may receive the Blessed Sacrament? Thank you for your help.

 

[1ke]

Nick:

I am going to my first Catholic wedding this weekend, and I just wanted to know if there will be Communion? Is it a Mass? Many of my friends who are also attending the wedding are non-Catholic or fallen away Catholics. Am I obliged to tell them that they cannot receive communion, or should I leave that to the priest? Shouldn’t the priest assume that there are some non-Catholics at the wedding, and therefore make a general announcement about who may receive the Blessed Sacrament? Thank you for your help.

the Church prefers that the Sacrament of Marriage be within the Mass. However, it is not required. Typically if two Catholics are marrying then there will be a Mass. Typically if a Catholic is marryiing a non-Catholic there will not be a Mass. There are exceptions to both scenarios, such as when a deacon is performing the marriage of two Catholics.

If there is a Mass, typically the priest will make some sort of statement to clarify that Catholic communion is closed communion. Again, this may not be the case with every priest.

 

[Luke-Jr]

1ke:

… such as when a deacon is performing the marriage of two Catholics.

Just want to point out that the deacon would not be performing the marriage. The spouses “perform” the marriage themselves. The deacon or priest is merely a witness.

 

[1ke]

Luke-Jr:

Just want to point out that the deacon would not be performing the marriage. The spouses “perform” the marriage themselves. The deacon or priest is merely a witness.

Well, of course. “Performing the marriage” is an expression. I was not attempting to be theological.

 

[NWUArmyROTC]

I think it is so beautiful the celebration of the Sacrament of Marriage within the greater Sacrifice of the Mass. I think it ties the Domestic Church with the Universal Church really well. I’m looking forward to mine (4+ years away), and planning the Mass . I’m trying to convince my fiancee that since most of the Wedding is her thing (dress, reception), things guys cannot plan well, I’ll take the Mass. We’ve already looked through readings which is great, we just cannot agree on a Second reading.