Confession for weddings

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It would be quite the experiment to see how many people, who already define practicing the Catholic Faith as only attending the occasional wedding or funeral, would actually go to Confession if offered before a wedding. Would it not be more likely that, having already decided church attendance and periodic Confession is unimportant, they would apply the same reasoning to this opportunity for Confession and forgo it as well?

Cc: @EDWARD_H
 
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Pup7 said:
He’s still not saying “plaster it on a wedding invite”.
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Correct, it should not be on the wedding invite. However, using the same language used in the missalettes or something specific from the bishop should be used in the wedding program.

Reasons:
  1. you may have people who have never been to a Catholic church before, and who are not sure of the protocol. Telling them in the program can ease their conscience.
  2. by mentioning that communion is reserved only for Catholics who have been to confession (using the Bishop’s exacts words) it tells protestants they are not being singled out, because Catholics who haven’t been to confession should not receive either.
  3. finally, there are plenty of Catholics who are unaware of Church teaching. Who knows, it might lead someone back to confession one day.
However, what you don’t do is call out individuals (unless you have that kind of relationship with them). For example: while I would gladly tell my siblings not to receive communion, I would not say anything to my aunt uncle even though I know they haven’t been to confession in ~50 years and only go to mass for weddings, baptisms and funerals.

God Bless
 
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No one here is getting out alive, Colonel Sir.

CC: Pup7
 
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phil19034 said:
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Pup7:
He’s still not saying “plaster it on a wedding invite”.
Click to expand...
Correct, it should not be on the wedding invite. However, using the same language used in the missalettes or something specific from the bishop should be used in the wedding program.

Reasons:
  1. you may have people who have never been to a Catholic church before, and who are not sure of the protocol. Telling them in the program can ease their conscience.
  2. by mentioning that communion is reserved only for Catholics who have been to confession (using the Bishop’s exacts words) it tells protestants they are not being singled out, because Catholics who haven’t been to confession should not receive either.
  3. finally, there are plenty of Catholics who are unaware of Church teaching. Who knows, it might lead someone back to confession one day.
However, what you don’t do is call out individual people (unless you have that kind of relationship with them). For example: while I would gladly tell my siblings not to receive communion, I would not say anything to my uncle even though I know he hasn’t been to confession in ~50 years and only goes to mass during weddings, baptisms and funerals.

God Bless
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I totally agree. My main thought for the inclusion by a priest or on the program is for the non-Catholics there, but I agree with your points as well.
 
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phil19034 said:
40.png
Pup7:
He’s still not saying “plaster it on a wedding invite”.
Click to expand...
Correct, it should not be on the wedding invite. However, using the same language used in the missalettes or something specific from the bishop should be used in the wedding program.

Reasons:
  1. you may have people who have never been to a Catholic church before, and who are not sure of the protocol. Telling them in the program can ease their conscience.
  2. My mentioning that communion is reserved only for Catholics who have been to confession (using the Bishop’s exacts words) it tells protestants they are not being singled out, because Catholics who haven’t been to confession should not receive either.
However, what you don’t do is call out individual people (unless you have that kind of relationship with them). For example: while I would gladly tell my siblings not to receive communion, I would not say anything to my uncle even though I know he hasn’t been to confession in ~50 years and only goes to mass during weddings, baptisms and funerals.

God Bless
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The bolded is becoming more and more common on programs.
 
TC3033 said:
The bolded is becoming more and more common on programs.
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I’m not surprised - and likely for the reasons Phil has stated so well above.

It is just a guess - but I’d feel safe in saying that in 2018 there are more non-Catholics at Catholic weddings than there were when I was a kid in the 1970s and 1980s. That is a personal hypothesis, yes, but it’s based on experience. Totally fair that that should be there - and then again, it’s a reminder to the rest of us.
 
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Pup7 said:
40.png
TC3033:
The bolded is becoming more and more common on programs.
Click to expand...
I’m not surprised - and likely for the reasons Phil has stated so well above.

It is just a guess - but I’d feel safe in saying that in 2018 there are more non-Catholics at Catholic weddings than there were when I was a kid in the 1970s and 1980s. That is a personal hypothesis, yes, but it’s based on experience. Totally fair that that should be there - and then again, it’s a reminder to the rest of us.
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Totally agree. In the day and age of the “mixed” marriage becoming more accepted (in some places…) I’m sure there are more and more NC’s attending Catholic churches for weddings, baptisms, etc…
 
I am not talking about what is necessary, I am talking about what people desire for their wedding day. Most people want to receive communion at a mass.
 
In my parish on Satudays we have 3 sometimes 4 priests in the box for 2 hours, often longer. I’ve been in line and had people from the wedding party ask if they can go…and we try to move them to the front of the line so they can get back to business!

It’s a great parish, good tone.
 
Some may go. Some have more humility and love for God than they have vanity and love of self.
 
Thanks for replying to me twice. I’m not really interested in discussing the differences in our opinions. Enjoy the blessings of God today!
 
Edward_H said:
We’re far too easily offended.

Snowflakes is far too kind a word for us, as it connotes purity, design, beauty.

We’re tarred (touchy) and irregular pieces of road gravel that Our Lord wants to refine into something useful for His will. And He likes to begin this recurring work with us using His Sacraments.
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Uh-oh @Pup7. Ed thinks you’re offended.

I think you’re projecting again, Ed.
 
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Yeah, that was pretty loosely veiled. I caught that too. No worries on my end for certain.

I’m old enough to have given birth to a snowflake, so in reality, I’ll take it as a compliment. 🙂
 
Sounds like people are used to you deciding what their place in Confession line is and who’s in most urgent need of God’s grace. Being able to discern that is a great charism few possess. Indeed.

At my parish, we don’t have Confessional traffic policing. But somehow, people still know what to do on their own and all receive the sacrament. I guess we’re just old school.

I must ask. Do you wear a reflective yellow vest, cap and badge so they know you’re in charge of the preceedings? That would be a nice touch. When it comes to church, people love extreme organization, forthright direction, and absolute enforcement of orderly conduct. I don’t recommend the whistle, though, that could be a bit disruptive in church.

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Edward_H said:
leaving vanity and pride and fear behind
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I certainly wish you the best in achieving that goal, soldier. You might consider discussing that with your confessor. Just go to the front of the line… no waiting.

Semper Fi
 
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