Non-Catholic in a Catholic wedding

[farmchic]

My husband has been asked to be the best man in his brothers wedding, which will be Catholic. The couple is planning on having communion at the wedding. Will my husband be expected to take communion along with the other groomsmen (even though he is no longer Catholic)? Will he be expected to kneel with the wedding party? After reading on this website that non catholics should not participate in communion, I am puzzled. We reciently went to Catholic mass with his family and his mother said he was disgraceful and disrespectful for NOT taking communion, even though he does not consider himself Catholic now. How should he politely refrain (or should he do it), without causing a scene in front of everyone at the wedding? Thanks!

 

[Arch_Stanton]

Once catholic always catholic . . . unless of course he has apostasized. So, it depends on why he is no longer catholic.

From the sound of it, he probably should not be receiving communion until he is reconciled with the church (the Catholic Church that is).

 

[StJeanneDArc]

farmchic:

My husband has been asked to be the best man in his brothers wedding, which will be Catholic. The couple is planning on having communion at the wedding. Will my husband be expected to take communion along with the other groomsmen (even though he is no longer Catholic)? Will he be expected to kneel with the wedding party? After reading on this website that non catholics should not participate in communion, I am puzzled. We reciently went to Catholic mass with his family and his mother said he was disgraceful and disrespectful for NOT taking communion, even though he does not consider himself Catholic now. How should he politely refrain (or should he do it), without causing a scene in front of everyone at the wedding? Thanks!

Your husband did the right thing by refraining from Communion. Your mother-in-law is misinformed and was probably just hurt and/or embarrassed that he didn’t recieve (I had the exact same thing happent between my sister and my mother). As far as the wedding situation, he should tell the priest before-hand (the rehearsal may be a good time to do this) that he is no longer in communion with the Church and so won’t be receiving at the wedding Mass. Most experienced priests know how to work this out before the wedding.

 

[Katholikos]

It will be sacrilege for your husband to receive Holy Communion if he is not properly disposed. The priest should be told in advance that he is no longer a practicing Catholic and that he will not be receiving. Your husband should not open his mouth or hold out his hands as people do to indicate they would like to receive Communion. Even if the priest makes a mistake and offers Communion to him, he can simply made a slight gesture “no” with his head and that will be sufficient to let the priest know.

JMJ Jay

 

[farmchic]

Arch Stanton-
I dont guess I know what apostisized means. He has joined another church. Could that be what it means?

 

[Arch_Stanton]

farmchic:

Arch Stanton-
I dont guess I know what apostisized means. He has joined another church. Could that be what it means?

Abandonment of one’s religious faith, a political party, one’s principles, or a cause.

 

[DaveBj]

I was the non-Catholic groom at our nuptual Mass. My wife received Holy Communion. I did not. Your husband’s refraining from Holy Communion can be done in such a way as to not cause any uproar. That’s what wedding rehearsals are for

DaveBj

 

[GoodME]

If a non-Catholic wishes to participate in the communion procession, all they have to do is cross their arms in front of themselves and they will receive a blessing.

Ask another Catholic or the Priest how this is done. No big deal.

You should not receive communion if you are not able to say “Amen” to “The Body of Christ”. If you can say “Amen”, then you should go through RCIA and come into full communion with the Church.

 

[renee1258]

As a volunteer in for my parish for wedding, priests are well aware of guests who are not Catholic and members of bridal parties who are not Catholic. They have a good command of the situation so the Mass flows easily without confusion of who is Catholic or not and for no embarassment for anyone. The bride and groom need to inform the priest of this, and the priest will explain the best way of handling it at the rehearsal.