Mass Question relating to wedding

[luna_luna]

My fiancé and I are going to get married on 12-12-08 of this year. I am catholic and she is Christian, not yet catholic. She has been going to meetings at the parish for the last 4 months but they have not yet moved her on into the confirmation stage, even though she has been attending mass with me for the past 5 years. It is very possible that she will not be catholic in time for our wedding in December. If that is the case she will not be able to take the Eucharist at our wedding. This would be disappointing for her. Also, half of her family is not catholic and would not be able to partake in the mass. **I was wondering if it is possible to have a non-mass wedding in the catholic church where the Eucharist is not involved? ** And what are they like? I have only been to catholic weddings with mass. Thank you for your replys and god bless!

 

[Cloisters]

My fiancé and I are going to get married on 12-12-08 of this year. I am catholic and she is Christian, not yet catholic. She has been going to meetings at the parish for the last 4 months but they have not yet moved her on into the confirmation stage, even though she has been attending mass with me for the past 5 years. It is very possible that she will not be catholic in time for our wedding in December. If that is the case she will not be able to take the Eucharist at our wedding. This would be disappointing for her. Also, half of her family is not catholic and would not be able to partake in the mass. **I was wondering if it is possible to have a non-mass wedding in the catholic church where the Eucharist is not involved? ** And what are they like? I have only been to catholic weddings with mass. Thank you for your replys and god bless!

Yes, you can have a three minute wedding without a Mass. Hubby and I almost did that, because his father was near death with cancer at the time.

Blessings,
Cloisters

 

[bilop]

My fiancé and I are going to get married on 12-12-08 of this year. I am catholic and she is Christian, not yet catholic. She has been going to meetings at the parish for the last 4 months but they have not yet moved her on into the confirmation stage, even though she has been attending mass with me for the past 5 years. It is very possible that she will not be catholic in time for our wedding in December. If that is the case she will not be able to take the Eucharist at our wedding. This would be disappointing for her. Also, half of her family is not catholic and would not be able to partake in the mass. **I was wondering if it is possible to have a non-mass wedding in the catholic church where the Eucharist is not involved? ** And what are they like? I have only been to catholic weddings with mass. Thank you for your replys and god bless!

You can definitely have a Catholic wedding w/o a Mass. This was the norm pre-WW II, when the Church was more strict in limiting the number of masses a Priest could say in one day (usually only one). It would be a 20-30 minute service with readings and a brief homily, but no consecration.

Probably the way to go for a mixed family. You and your wife and your Catholic friends and relatives could attend Mass beforehand that morning.

God Bless, Congratulations and Good Luck!

 

[Joe_Kelley]

You can definitely have a Catholic wedding w/o a Mass. This was the norm pre-WW II, when the Church was more strict in limiting the number of masses a Priest could say in one day (usually only one). It would be a 20-30 minute service with readings and a brief homily, but no consecration.

Probably the way to go for a mixed family. You and your wife and your Catholic friends and relatives could attend Mass beforehand that morning.

God Bless, Congratulations and Good Luck!

This is the preferred form in our area when many members of one family are not Catholic. It avoids introducing a divisive factor into the ceremony.

 

[stbruno]

Absolutely, when a Catholic marries a non-Catholic Christian or is entering into any kind of mixed marriage, the marriage rite without the Eucharist is the traditional form to be used.

It includes …The liturgy of the Word,
The exchange of consent, vows
blessings
intercessions…
and more…
It is a beautiful form and is much more than 15 minutes as someone suggested. In fact in most cases it can be anywhere from 30-45 minutes, depending on how long the homily is…how large the party is…if the bride visits the Blessed Mother etc.
And no member of the family party feels isolated from the Eucharist. You get the same covenant promise from Jesus to be there at all times in your marriage.
foryourmarriage.org/interior_template.asp?id=20398962

Explore the website setup by the bishops…foryourmarriage.org
Congratulations to you!

 

[Cloisters]

It is a beautiful form and is much more than 15 minutes as someone suggested.!

My apologies if I’ve gotten on the defensive for no good reason, but I was told by our priest (who was also my spiritual director) that if worse came to worse, we could have a three minute ceremony with only the repeating of vows. Not only was hubby’s dad on death’s doorstep, but his army unit was about to be called up/deployed to Ft. Bragg for Operation Desert Shield. Both events would have been in the twinkle of an eye.

Blessings,
Cloisters

 

[puzzleannie]

My fiancé and I are going to get married on 12-12-08 of this year. I am catholic and she is Christian, not yet catholic. She has been going to meetings at the parish for the last 4 months but they have not yet moved her on into the confirmation stage, even though she has been attending mass with me for the past 5 years. It is very possible that she will not be catholic in time for our wedding in December. If that is the case she will not be able to take the Eucharist at our wedding. This would be disappointing for her. Also, half of her family is not catholic and would not be able to partake in the mass. **I was wondering if it is possible to have a non-mass wedding in the catholic church where the Eucharist is not involved? **And what are they like? I have only been to catholic weddings with mass. Thank you for your replys and god bless!

yes it is in fact the preference of many priest not to have a full nuptial Mass or communion service at a wedding where one party and a lot of the family will not be Catholic.

however it may be possible for her to celebrate first communion in time, and to be confirmed, because it is not necessary for baptized Christians to wait until Easter. Esp. if she has been attending Mass for a long time and is otherwise well instructed. Haver her speak to the pastor or priest preparing you for marriage, only he can assess her progress, inclination and disposition for the sacraments.

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

My fiancé and I are going to get married on 12-12-08 of this year. I am catholic and she is Christian, not yet catholic. She has been going to meetings at the parish for the last 4 months but they have not yet moved her on into the confirmation stage, even though she has been attending mass with me for the past 5 years. It is very possible that she will not be catholic in time for our wedding in December. If that is the case she will not be able to take the Eucharist at our wedding. This would be disappointing for her. Also, half of her family is not catholic and would not be able to partake in the mass. **I was wondering if it is possible to have a non-mass wedding in the catholic church where the Eucharist is not involved? **And what are they like? I have only been to catholic weddings with mass. Thank you for your replys and god bless!

If she is Baptized and has been attending Mass with you, unless there are prior Mariage issues, (which would also prevent your attempt at Marriage) and the fact that she has bee attending Catechesis for 4 months. It is very likely she could easily be received into the Church with Confirmation and Eucharist. You should speak with the pastor about this. A Candidate should not normally be in preparation for Reception into the Church for more than 4 to 6 months, after the Rite of Welcome.

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

This is the preferred form in our area when many members of one family are not Catholic. It avoids introducing a divisive factor into the ceremony.

It is recomended here when one of the people getting Married is not Catholic.