Does a Sunday Wedding mass fulfill obligation?

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Hi,

we have a wedding to go to that is on a Sunday afternoon. My understanding is that it would not take the place of our normal obligation unless it used the normal readings / liturgy for that Sunday.

So, the question is, must we attend a regular Sunday mass on that day, or is the wedding mass sufficient for our obligation?

Thanks,

-Jim
 
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jimr451:
Hi,

we have a wedding to go to that is on a Sunday afternoon. My understanding is that it would not take the place of our normal obligation unless it used the normal readings / liturgy for that Sunday.

So, the question is, must we attend a regular Sunday mass on that day, or is the wedding mass sufficient for our obligation?

Thanks,

-Jim
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If the Wedding also includes a full liturgical and Eucharistic celebration, then it does fulfill your Sunday obligation. In fact a Saturday evening Mass would as well.
 
If it is a Catholic mass celebrating the wedding then yes that would fit your obligation.
 
I had the same impression as Jim, that only if the Mass contains the Sunday readings does it fulfill the Sunday Obligation.

I have heard that a Satruday Wedding that does not use the Sunday Readings does not count.
 
The readings do not matter in terms of fulfulling the Mass obligation. Only the time of the Mass is relevant in this regard.
 
What C2003 said.

If you go to the Sunday liturgy of say, an Armenian Catholic church, the readings may be different, but your obligation is fulfilled. People commonly think it is the readings, but in fact it is the time of a wedding mass on a Saturday which prevents it from fulfilling the Sunday obligation.

In the US, a vigil mass must be after 4 pm on Saturday to count toward the Sunday obligation, in the UK it must be after noon Saturday. Source
 
In a Catholic wedding, the couple may wish to include Mass in the ceremony, but they may also opt not to include it (the Mass).

However, if there is a Mass in a wedding and on a Sunday, your obligation is fulfilled for that particular Sunday. But if a wedding takes place in any other day other than Sunday, then you have to go to Mass on Sunday. The fact that a Mass is celebrated during a wedding on a Sunday is already a fulfillment of the obligation. It’s just a little bit of common sense, I guess.

God bless that couple to be wed and God bless you!

Pio
 
I have to correct what hlgomez said; if the wedding mass takes place during the hours that a Sunday vigil mass can occur (after 4pm Saturday in the US), then it can count toward your Sunday obligation (see my post above). Most Saturday weddings do not qualify.
 
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digitonomy:
I have to correct what hlgomez said; if the wedding mass takes place during the hours that a Sunday vigil mass can occur (after 4pm Saturday in the US), then it can count toward your Sunday obligation (see my post above). Most Saturday weddings do not qualify.
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I recently went to a 2:00pm Saturday Nuptual Mass and the Priest said "This does count as your Sunday Mass= Didn’t even you the terms “fulfill your obligation”

I didn’t think that sounded right, so I went on Sunday, but do you think I could have taken the dispensation anyway? Did he have the authority to grant it? Would he need to use the term “dispensed from tomorrow’s obligation?”

SuZ
 
Thanks everyone, the link to Jimmy Akin’s helped a lot, and all the posts were great.

So the final consensus is that the wedding will fulfill my obligation - it will be a full mass, and on Sunday afternoon.

Thanks all.

-Jim
 
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Mysty101:
I recently went to a 2:00pm Saturday Nuptual Mass and the Priest said “This does count as your Sunday Mass”…do you think I could have taken the dispensation anyway? Did he have the authority to grant it? Would he need to use the term “dispensed from tomorrow’s obligation?”
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He may stumble over the words, but the exact phraseology isn’t importont here - it’s what he means that counts.

As I understand it, this is an issue of canon law. Bishops have the authority to determine how canon law will be applied in their diocese. In the US, the national conference (USCCB) has decided that “the evening of the preceding day” begins at 4 pm. This is canon law as it applies in the US, and an individual priest has no right to interpret it differently.

However, an individual bishop may have the authority to interpret the canon in his diocesee differently from the national conference. If that is not the case in your diocese, I would say the priest acted improperly. However, I’m open to correction by someone more knowledgeable.
 
Thank you.

I suppose I could call the Diocesean office and ask there.
I’m pretty sure we’re on the 4:00 norm. I am still wondering if I could have taken the dispensation.

SuZ
 
Akin is neither ordained nor a canon lawyer is he? Is there some more authoritative source?
 
T. More:
Akin is neither ordained nor a canon lawyer is he? Is there some more authoritative source?
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Can. 1247 On Sundays and other holydays of obligation, the faithful are obliged to assist at Mass. They are also to abstain from such work or business that would inhibit the worship to be given to God, the joy proper to the Lord’s Day, or the due relaxation of mind and body.
Can. 1248 §1 The obligation of assisting at Mass is satisfied wherever Mass is celebrated in a catholic rite either on a holyday itself or on the evening of the previous day.
 
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