Hindu Wedding?

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My boyfriend and I have been talking about getting married. He’s Hindu, and I…well it’s obvious I am Catholic. Now, I already know that we could get married in a Hindu ceremony, so long as we get a dispensation from the Church. But here are my questions:
  1. How hard is it to get that dispensation?
    and
  2. Pardon my ignorance, (I don’t know the term for it) but he said that a red dot would be put on my head during the wedding to show that I was married. However, he said “it would be nice” if I wore it sometimes after our marriage. Is this permissible? Is this simply following culture, or would I be crossing the line of religion? He is willing to have our children raised Catholic, as long as they are allowed to learn about/visit Hindu celebrations, which I have read should be fine as long as they don’t worship.
Thanks!
 
I tried posting this before, but it didn’t show up! lol

My boyfriend and I are discussing getting married in the next couple of years. He’s Hindu and I am…well, it’s obvious that I am Catholic. I already know that we can get married in a Hindu wedding ceremony, so long as we get a dispensation from the Church. However, I have a couple additional questions:
  1. How difficult is it to get the dispensation?
    and
  2. Pardon my ignorance (I do not know what the dot is called), but my boyfriend said that a red dot will be put on my head during the ceremony to show that I was a married woman. However, he said that “it would be nice” if I were to wear it when around his mother (which would not be too often since she lives in India and we would live in the States). In their culture, it signifies marriage, I suppose the way a wedding band would signify it for us…but is it permissible to do that as a Catholic? He has agreed to raise our children Catholic, as long as they are allowed to learn about his religion and attend (not worship at though) Hindu celebrations…which I have read is okay. At any rate, I’d greatly appreciate any and all answers! Thanks! God bless 🙂
 
A similar question was answered by one of CA’s apologists:
forums.catholic-questions.org/showthread.php?t=58463

As far as I know, there is no reason you could not wear a spot on your forehead. Read the post, however; there are a lot of other issues to consider before the two of you take on the duties of this marriage. Keep reading up, and talk to your own pastor about it as soon as you can.
 
Can you get dispensation to marry in a Hindu ceremony?
We had to get permission for my Catholic wife to marry me in an Anglican ceremony, but Anglicans are Christians. (Just lacking in authority, etc. 😉 )

A Catholic-Hindu marriage not performed in a Catholic Church … I’ve never heard of this and your question got my interest. 🍿
 
Honestly speaking it is not pleasant to read that you are a big Catholic and you are planning to go to Hinduism? You must be very in love to your husband more than he does to you because you are willing to change your religion and a HINDUISM at that? Oh my God, what have you eaten? Do you know Hindus believe millions of different Gods? Just in case you will die now where do you think your Spirit go? Of course Hell. It is better that you came from a different religion before then be converted to Catholicism now for the Kingdom of God is rejoicing and feasting, but what you are planning to do is the exact opposite. I hope you will discern this many times before you plunge into this marriage and before you plunge into Hell. Please look for a husband who will bring you to Jesus’ Paradise and Kingdom than a future husband who will throw you out to the Fires of Hells!!! You can always change your mind not to push thru with your marriage if not have him converted to Catholic. Please be firmed and strong and fight for our religion. There are a lot of fish in the ocean and for sure Jesus Christ will give you somebody who is worthy of your life. love, much better, or who knows a million times better than your fiancee now. I will pray for you!!! Please pray to Mama Mary. She is the greatest Intercessor for us!!! God Bless!!
 
malou1 said:
Honestly speaking it is not pleasant to read that you are a big Catholic and you are planning to go to Hinduism? You must be very in love to your husband more than he does to you because you are willing to change your religion and a HINDUISM at that? Oh my God, what have you eaten? Do you know Hindus believe millions of different Gods? Just in case you will die now where do you think your Spirit go? Of course Hell. It is better that you came from a different religion before then be converted to Catholicism now for the Kingdom of God is rejoicing and feasting, but what you are planning to do is the exact opposite. I hope you will discern this many times before you plunge into this marriage and before you plunge into Hell. Please look for a husband who will bring you to Jesus’ Paradise and Kingdom than a future husband who will throw you out to the Fires of Hells!!! You can always change your mind not to push thru with your marriage if not have him converted to Catholic. Please be firmed and strong and fight for our religion. There are a lot of fish in the ocean and for sure Jesus Christ will give you somebody who is worthy of your life. love, much better, or who knows a million times better than your fiancee now. I will pray for you!!! Please pray to Mama Mary. She is the greatest Intercessor for us!!! God Bless!!
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Plunge into hell? She is asking if it possible to get a dispensation to marry her boyfriend in a Hindu ceremony; she said nothing about converting to that religion. He has even agreed to raise the children Catholic; it sounds like he has a favorable attitude toward Catholicism and that makes him a good candidate for future conversion to the Catholic Church. She should seek the advice of a wise and holy priest.
 
malou1 said:
Honestly speaking it is not pleasant to read that you are a big Catholic and you are planning to go to Hinduism? You must be very in love to your husband more than he does to you because you are willing to change your religion and a HINDUISM at that? Oh my God, what have you eaten? Do you know Hindus believe millions of different Gods? Just in case you will die now where do you think your Spirit go? Of course Hell. It is better that you came from a different religion before then be converted to Catholicism now for the Kingdom of God is rejoicing and feasting, but what you are planning to do is the exact opposite. I hope you will discern this many times before you plunge into this marriage and before you plunge into Hell. Please look for a husband who will bring you to Jesus’ Paradise and Kingdom than a future husband who will throw you out to the Fires of Hells!!! You can always change your mind not to push thru with your marriage if not have him converted to Catholic. Please be firmed and strong and fight for our religion. There are a lot of fish in the ocean and for sure Jesus Christ will give you somebody who is worthy of your life. love, much better, or who knows a million times better than your fiancee now. I will pray for you!!! Please pray to Mama Mary. She is the greatest Intercessor for us!!! God Bless!!
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wow! That is just not nice.
 
The dot that you write about is called a bindi. The red bindi represents honor, love, and prosperity. There are different color bindis and they are often worn as decoration now in many cultures closer to India. If you were Muslims you would not be allowed to wear one based on Islamic dress code, but I don’t see a problem for a Catholic. I once knew a young Indian woman in my parish who wore one at Mass one day. She had her family with her and they were all good Catholics. When I chatted with her, I mentioned how beautiful it looked and her family showed no displeasure. You might enjoy wearing it, as it does make for a beautiful decoration. His mother may place more importance on it than decoration, though. Try to learn as much as possible about it in respect of her. She may not think of a bindi as simply decoration, just as we don’t like non-Christians wearing a cross as a decoration (although I do think a cross carries more religious significance).
 
CAROLOFTHEBELLS said:
The dot that you write about is called a bindi. The red bindi represents honor, love, and prosperity. There are different color bindis and they are often worn as decoration now in many cultures closer to India. If you were Muslims you would not be allowed to wear one based on Islamic dress code, but I don’t see a problem for a Catholic. I once knew a young Indian woman in my parish who wore one at Mass one day. She had her family with her and they were all good Catholics. When I chatted with her, I mentioned how beautiful it looked and her family showed no displeasure. You might enjoy wearing it, as it does make for a beautiful decoration. His mother may place more importance on it than decoration, though. Try to learn as much as possible about it in respect of her. She may not think of a bindi as simply decoration, just as we don’t like non-Christians wearing a cross as a decoration (although I do think a cross carries more religious significance).
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The bindi on the forehead also, importantly in Indian culture it seems, represents caste status - from Brahmin to Pariah {untouchables]. It is NOT simply a decoration.

A wedding in a non-Christian ceremony would require more than just a dispensation I feel, it would also require ‘regularising’ in a Catholic ceremony that would require, if the other person has not been baptised, a dispensation and promises about how any children would be brought up. The situation is fraught with matters spiritual and of faith and belief.
 
Mount_Carmel said:
A wedding in a non-Christian ceremony would require more than just a dispensation I feel, it would also require ‘regularising’ in a Catholic ceremony
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This is not correct. If the OP does receive a dispensation from form then there is no Catholic cermony. There is only one marriage ceremony, and the couple is validly married.
Mount_Carmel said:
if the other person has not been baptised, a dispensation and promises about how any children would be brought up. The situation is fraught with matters spiritual and of faith and belief.
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This dispensation from disparity of cult, dispensation from form, and promises regarding raising of children all come during premarital preparation.

Yes, it is a serious issue any time a Catholic marries outside the Faith. The OP should talk seriously with her pastor about this situation.
 
The man decides what religion they will be married in? Will he also make that decision for the children? As a Catholic we have an obligation to raise our Children in the faith. Not only that but I would be concerned as to the future wife’s ability to freely practice her own faith.

More info is needed. But I cannot see how this is a good or Holy idea.
 
1ke said:
This is not correct. If the OP does receive a dispensation from form then there is no Catholic cermony. There is only one marriage ceremony, and the couple is validly married.

This dispensation from disparity of cult, dispensation from form, and promises regarding raising of children all come during premarital preparation.

Yes, it is a serious issue any time a Catholic marries outside the Faith. The OP should talk seriously with her pastor about this situation.
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If there is only one service/ceremony that is of non-Christian nature then it is my understanding anyway, that in the eyes of the Church it is not a valid marriage if a Catholic is one of those ‘married’. It may of course be recognised by the Hindus and indeed by the civil authority. On what grounds could there be an unconditional dispensation by the Church?
 
Mount_Carmel said:
If there is only one service/ceremony that is of non-Christian nature then it is my understanding anyway, that in the eyes of the Church it is not a valid marriage if a Catholic is one of those ‘married’.
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It is not a valid marriage if the Catholic fails to obtain a dispensation from form before marrying in some other form-- i.e. civilly. That is the purpose of a dispensation from form-- to be validly marrried outside Catholic form.

Catholics may apply for such a dispensation when they marry a non-Catholic. It is up to the bishop to grant or deny the dispensation. If it is granted, the one and only marriage ceremony is in the non-Catholic form.
Mount_Carmel said:
It may of course be recognised by the Hindus and indeed by the civil authority.
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And by the Catholic Church.
Mount_Carmel said:
On what grounds could there be an unconditional dispensation by the Church?
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On the grounds that the bishop has the authority to grant it.

Can.* 1127 §1. The prescripts of ⇒ can. 1108 are to be observed for the form to be used in a mixed marriage.

Nevertheless, if a Catholic party contracts marriage with a non-Catholic party of an Eastern rite, the canonical form of the celebration must be observed for liceity only; for validity, however, the presence of a sacred minister is required and the other requirements of law are to be observed.

§2. If grave difficulties hinder the observance of canonical form, the local ordinary of the Catholic party has the right of dispensing from the form in individual cases, after having consulted the ordinary of the place in which the marriage is celebrated and with some public form of celebration for validity. It is for the conference of bishops to establish norms by which the aforementioned dispensation is to be granted in a uniform manner.

§3. It is forbidden to have another religious celebration of the same marriage to give or renew matrimonial consent before or after the canonical celebration according to the norm of §1. Likewise, there is not to be a religious celebration in which the Catholic who is assisting and a non-Catholic minister together, using their own rites, ask for the consent of the parties.
 
1ke said:
It is not a valid marriage if the Catholic fails to obtain a dispensation from form before marrying in some other form-- i.e. civilly. That is the purpose of a dispensation from form-- to be validly marrried outside Catholic form.

Catholics may apply for such a dispensation when they marry a non-Catholic. It is up to the bishop to grant or deny the dispensation. If it is granted, the one and only marriage ceremony is in the non-Catholic form.

And by the Catholic Church.

On the grounds that the bishop has the authority to grant it.

Can.* 1127 §1. The prescripts of ⇒ can. 1108 are to be observed for the form to be used in a mixed marriage.

Nevertheless, if a Catholic party contracts marriage with a non-Catholic party of an Eastern rite, the canonical form of the celebration must be observed for liceity only; for validity, however, the presence of a sacred minister is required and the other requirements of law are to be observed.

§2. If grave difficulties hinder the observance of canonical form, the local ordinary of the Catholic party has the right of dispensing from the form in individual cases, after having consulted the ordinary of the place in which the marriage is celebrated and with some public form of celebration for validity. It is for the conference of bishops to establish norms by which the aforementioned dispensation is to be granted in a uniform manner.

§3. It is forbidden to have another religious celebration of the same marriage to give or renew matrimonial consent before or after the canonical celebration according to the norm of §1. Likewise, there is not to be a religious celebration in which the Catholic who is assisting and a non-Catholic minister together, using their own rites, ask for the consent of the parties.
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Very well put.

It is worth noting that a dispensation is not something you “get.” It has to be granted by the Bishop who should ask all the pertinent questions. Like, will you practice your faith and what of children.

A dispensation may not be as easy to get as some might think. A Bishop has some responsibility in this as well, they should and usually would not take such things lightly.

Needless to say, this couple needs to realize that there will be some conversations they need to have and it will always be a trial in their marriage.

It would be easier for a marraige to have everlasting life in common.🤷

The main goal of a spouse should be to help the other gain heaven. Perhaps she needs to evangelize this young man.
 
foreveralone said:
My boyfriend and I have been talking about getting married. He’s Hindu, and I…well it’s obvious I am Catholic. Now, I already know that we could get married in a Hindu ceremony, so long as we get a dispensation from the Church. But here are my questions:
  1. How hard is it to get that dispensation?
    and
  2. Pardon my ignorance, (I don’t know the term for it) but he said that a red dot would be put on my head during the wedding to show that I was married. However, he said “it would be nice” if I wore it sometimes after our marriage. Is this permissible? Is this simply following culture, or would I be crossing the line of religion? He is willing to have our children raised Catholic, as long as they are allowed to learn about/visit Hindu celebrations, which I have read should be fine as long as they don’t worship.
Thanks!
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If the dot has any kind of religious meaning in the hindu religion then dont wear it…
 
How is it a Hindu marriage ceremony without bringing in Vishnu and the other Hindu deities?

The Hindu wedding ceremony at its core is essentially a Vedic yajna ritual. The primary witness of a Hindu marriage is the fire-deity (or the Sacred Fire) Agni, in the presence of family and friends.

Hmmn - I am thinking of the First Commandment at this point.
 
I am still unsure of how a Catholic can marry a non Christian in a Non Christian ceremony and have a dispensation for it. Does this exist? I know a Catholic can marry a non Chrisian within the Church. But in another faith? I don’t know if that is allowed.

Something I am sure of however is that there is a rule about it somewhere.🤷
 
Dear OP, the best place for advice is with your parish priest. Please contact him as soon as possible so that he can guide you in whatever steps you need to take, but also advise you on issues you should be thinking of long before wedding plans get made. Wearing a bindi should be very far down the list of tpoics to discuss with your boyfriend and your priest at this point,
 
foreveralone said:
My boyfriend and I have been talking about getting married. He’s Hindu, and I…well it’s obvious I am Catholic. Now, I already know that we could get married in a Hindu ceremony, so long as we get a dispensation from the Church. But here are my questions:
  1. How hard is it to get that dispensation?
    and
  2. Pardon my ignorance, (I don’t know the term for it) but he said that a red dot would be put on my head during the wedding to show that I was married. However, he said “it would be nice” if I wore it sometimes after our marriage. Is this permissible? Is this simply following culture, or would I be crossing the line of religion? He is willing to have our children raised Catholic, as long as they are allowed to learn about/visit Hindu celebrations, which I have read should be fine as long as they don’t worship.
Thanks!
Click to expand...
You could have two ceremonies - His Hindu ceremony and a Catholic Church wedding. He would of course have to agree to not interfere with the practice of your religion and agree to your bringing up your children Catholic. I assume you intend to remain Catholic since you came on CAF for answers.

There are different names for that red dot. It would signify that you are married. I don’t see any religious issue.

All the best and God bless.
 
malou1 said:
Honestly speaking it is not pleasant to read that you are a big Catholic and you are planning to go to Hinduism? You must be very in love to your husband more than he does to you because you are willing to change your religion and a HINDUISM at that? Oh my God, what have you eaten? Do you know Hindus believe millions of different Gods? Just in case you will die now where do you think your Spirit go? Of course Hell. It is better that you came from a different religion before then be converted to Catholicism now for the Kingdom of God is rejoicing and feasting, but what you are planning to do is the exact opposite. I hope you will discern this many times before you plunge into this marriage and before you plunge into Hell. Please look for a husband who will bring you to Jesus’ Paradise and Kingdom than a future husband who will throw you out to the Fires of Hells!!! You can always change your mind not to push thru with your marriage if not have him converted to Catholic. Please be firmed and strong and fight for our religion. There are a lot of fish in the ocean and for sure Jesus Christ will give you somebody who is worthy of your life. love, much better, or who knows a million times better than your fiancee now. I will pray for you!!! Please pray to Mama Mary. She is the greatest Intercessor for us!!! God Bless!!
Click to expand...
Terribly offensive in more ways than one.
 
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