there ain’t no such thing as “giving the bride away in catholic church”. Where did ya dig that up? Gotta link?? I see they did not learn you much at those catholic schools. Ain’t surprised.
Father Groschel (my spiritual hero …no bad words against him) says he would rather perform funerals than weddings. You knows the funeral is valid. You looks at the kids getting married and and you wonder if they are mature enough to consent to nothing. Sad situation…yep
But how can anybody give bride away when she is free and belongs to nobody. must be protestant or hindu talk…no catholic talk…
With all due respect…You are wrong. And Father Grocshel is not talking about the Rite of Marriage, insofar as fathers “giving away” brides, when he says that. He is talking about free consent and impediments to a marriage, that might render the weding that happens not a marriage at all.
If you read the CCC, you would know:
**1662 **Marriage is based on the consent of the contracting parties, that is,
on their will to give themselves, each to the other, mutually and definitively, in order to live a covenant of faithful and fruitful love.
1632 So that the “I do” of the spouses may be a** free and responsible act** and so that the marriage covenant may have solid and lasting human and Christian foundations, preparation for marriage is of prime importance.
**1625 **The parties to a marriage covenant are a baptized man and woman, free to contract marriage, **who freely express their consent; “to be free” means: ****- not being under constraint; **
- not impeded by any natural or ecclesiastical law.
**1626 **The Church holds the exchange of consent between the spouses to be the indispensable element that "makes the marriage."125
If consent is lacking there is no marriage.
**1627 **The consent consists in a “human act by which the partners mutually give themselves to each other”: “I take you to be my wife” - "I take you to be my husband."126 This consent that binds the spouses to each other finds its fulfillment in the two "becoming one flesh."127
**1628 **The consent must be an act of the will of each of the contracting parties,
free of coercion or grave external fear.128 No human power can substitute for this consent.129 If this freedom is lacking the marriage is invalid.
2230 When they become adults, children have the right and duty to choose their profession and state of life. They should assume their new responsibilities within a trusting relationship with their parents, willingly asking and receiving their advice and counsel. Parents should be careful not to exert pressure on their children either in the choice of a profession
or in that of a spouse. This necessary restraint does not prevent them—quite the contrary—from giving their children judicious advice, particularly when they are planning to start a family.
2232 Family ties are important but not absolute. Just as the child grows to maturity and human and spiritual autonomy, so his unique vocation which comes from God asserts itself more clearly and forcefully. Parents should respect this call and encourage their children to follow it. They must be convinced that the first vocation of the Christian is to
follow Jesus: "He who loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; and he who loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me."
39
At no time does it ever say that the parents’ permission, particularly the father’s, is required.
If you read the Rite of Marriage, you would know:
(Ordo Celebrandi Matrimonium Intra Missam)
- At the appointed time, the Priest, vested for Mass, goes with the ministers to the door of the church or, if more suitable, to the altar. There he meets the bride and bridegroom in a friendly manner, showing that the Church shares their joy.
Where it is desirable that the rite of welcome be omitted, the celebration of marriage begins at once with the Mass.
- If there is a procession to the altar, the ministers go first, followed by the priest, and then the bride and bridegroom. According to local custom, they may be escorted by at least their parents and the two witnesses. Meanwhile, the entrance song is sung.
Statement of Intentions 24. The priest then questions them about their freedom of choice, faithfulness to each other, and the acceptance and upbringing of children:
N. and N., have you come here freely and without reservation to give yourselves to each other in marriage?
**Will you love and honor each other as man and wife for the rest of your lives? **
The following question may be omitted if, for example, the couple is advanced in years.
**Will you accept children lovingly from God, and bring them up according to the law of Christ and his Church? **
Each answers the questions separately.
Logically, you should see that Catholic brides come to marriage freely, of their own will, to give their own consent. There is no “Who gives this woman?” in the Catholic ceremony, as in the Anglican. And you may certainly ask Father Groecshel who will tell you the same. Fathers might or might not walk their daughters up the aisle, but there is no “giving away” of the bride.
There never has been. While
fisheasters.com is not my favorite site, their links on the older versions of the various sacramental rites are accurate.
