Strange Mass

[Dohko]

Hi

This is my first post but I’ve been reading the forum for a while.
I have a question.
I went to wedding mass yesterday, and everything seemed normal but when the communion came the priest only gave communion to the bride and groom and that’s it, is that normal or allowed?

Thanks

 

[blackrobe]

Hi

This is my first post but I’ve been reading the forum for a while.
I have a question.
I went to wedding mass yesterday, and everything seemed normal but when the communion came the priest only gave communion to the bride and groom and that’s it, is that normal or allowed?

Thanks

I don’t believe that qualifies as a Mass.

JSA

 

[AlexV]

Communion of the faithful is not required in order to have a validly confected Eucharist/Mass.

 

[ricmat]

If the marriage was between a Catholic and non-Catholic (or recent convert), then the congregation could have been substantially non-Catholic, and therefore ineligible to receive communion.

Rather than making a statement that “only Catholics can receive communion” and potentially spoil the joy of the event, the priest probably just opted to give communion to the bride and groom.

 

[palmas85]

I don’t believe that qualifies as a Mass.

JSA

Why not?

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

Hi

This is my first post but I’ve been reading the forum for a while.
I have a question.
I went to wedding mass yesterday, and everything seemed normal but when the communion came the priest only gave communion to the bride and groom and that’s it, is that normal or allowed?

Thanks

That would seem strange, especially if it was an actual Mass.

 

[puzzleannie]

Hi

This is my first post but I’ve been reading the forum for a while.
I have a question.
I went to wedding mass yesterday, and everything seemed normal but when the communion came the priest only gave communion to the bride and groom and that’s it, is that normal or allowed?

Thanks

I doubt very much if it was Mass, much more likely liturgy of the word, exchange of vows, and communion as you describe. most likely this would be done if most of the guests are non-Catholic and would not be receiving. sure it is allowed in such circumstances, and recommended. If it was Mass, with consecration, Eucharistic prayer etc. communion should have been offered to all the faithful present who were worthy to receive.

 

[Dohko]

Yes, everything else was normal.
Maybe one of the parties wasn’t catholic. I only know the bride.
I did notice that most people didn’t kneel during the concecration.

 

[Andrewcarey]

ummm… depending on the Bishop allowing it then no.

 

[coeyannie]

Hi

This is my first post but I’ve been reading the forum for a while.
I have a question.
I went to wedding mass yesterday, and everything seemed normal but when the communion came the priest only gave communion to the bride and groom and that’s it, is that normal or allowed?

Thanks

Just to response to some of the people who have replied. I have never seen such ignorance from Catholics as I see on these boards. It is uncanny. Of course it is a valid Mass. I would prefer that than handing Holy Communion out to everyone who shows up, whether they are Catholic or not, whether they are in invalid marriages, adultrous relationships, etc. Everything goes at the weddings I have been to. No sir, I would prefer just the wedding party receiving Holy Communion. That way the priest knows. Unless they are lying, and I guess that is not unheard of.

 

[teachccd]

Just to response to some of the people who have replied. I have never seen such ignorance from Catholics as I see on these boards. It is uncanny. Of course it is a valid Mass. I would prefer that than handing Holy Communion out to everyone who shows up, whether they are Catholic or not, whether they are in invalid marriages, adultrous relationships, etc. Everything goes at the weddings I have been to.

Thank you for such a compliment. It is reassuring that if we wait long enough theologians like yourself step up to set us straight. Yes this was a valid Mass. However, at every Mass there is the great possibility that those coming up for communion are not in the state of grace including all of the transgressions you mentioned above and more. Unfortunately, the sacrament of reconciliation is not utilized as much and therefore we have to leave certain things in the hands of God. I am an extraordinary minister of Holy Communion and it is not up to me to question those who receive. The Eucharist should not have been denied to those present, however, who were properly disposed to receive as should be at any Mass. Did Jesus withhold from Judas??

 

[blackrobe]

Why not?

Well, obviously I did not think through my response. What I meant to suggest is that, lacking any further information, I wonder if a Mass was what was intended. And based on what I have seen around the country lately, the phrase “everything seemed normal” doesn’t imply much for certain.

JSA

 

[netmilsmom]

Just to response to some of the people who have replied. I have never seen such ignorance from Catholics as I see on these boards. It is uncanny.

So if we’re all such ignoramuses, why are you here?

 

[WenckebachCath]

This sounds like the perfect solution to the awkward situation presented by life in a multicultural society. Many people are ignorant of Catholic teaching of eligiblity to receive the Eucharist, or else believe these rules are too exclusive. Most Protestants have open communion and feel slighted by our closed communion. It makes it very awkward at weddings and funerals.

 

[gmarie21]

This sounds like the perfect solution to the awkward situation presented by life in a multicultural society. Many people are ignorant of Catholic teaching of eligiblity to receive the Eucharist, or else believe these rules are too exclusive. Most Protestants have open communion and feel slighted by our closed communion. It makes it very awkward at weddings and funerals.

I agree with what you say. Is a priest required to give a catechism class before the wedding to all who are attending? Or should the outline of what constitutes a grave/mortal sin be sent with the wedding invitation along with a confessional schedule?

I know that when I marry one day I’ll have a major problem with my Catholic family since most are in invalid marriages due to various reasons and that not a single one of them have attended confession since their confirmation. I would let my parents (both remarried without an annulment) and brother (married on the beach) know that they could not recieve, but if the immediate family of the bride who are all baptized Catholics don’t receive, what would others think? The discussions afterward would focus more on their not receiving than on the sacrament of matrimony that took place.

Maybe that was the case with the wedding that the OP attended and to save their family from committing mortal sins (receiving the Eucharist unworthily) or from embarassment, they chose to be the only ones to recieve the Lord in the Eucharist.

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

Thank you for such a compliment. It is reassuring that if we wait long enough theologians like yourself step up to set us straight. Yes this was a valid Mass. However, at every Mass there is the great possibility that those coming up for communion are not in the state of grace including all of the transgressions you mentioned above and more. Unfortunately, the sacrament of reconciliation is not utilized as much and therefore we have to leave certain things in the hands of God. I am an extraordinary minister of Holy Communion and it is not up to me to question those who receive. The Eucharist should not have been denied to those present, however, who were properly disposed to receive as should be at any Mass. Did Jesus withhold from Judas??

Canon Law states that Catholics in union with the Church, properly disposed, in a state of Sanctifying grace are not to be denied the Sacraments when they ask for them. I myself, normally would expect to be able to receive Holy Communion at a Mass that I have attended.

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

This sounds like the perfect solution to the awkward situation presented by life in a multicultural society. Many people are ignorant of Catholic teaching of eligiblity to receive the Eucharist, or else believe these rules are too exclusive. Most Protestants have open communion and feel slighted by our closed communion. It makes it very awkward at weddings and funerals.

The Church provides an option for this “awkward situation presented by life in a multicultural society”. It known as the Rite of Marriage outside of Mass!

This is used when many of the people attending will not be able to receive because they are not Catholic. What is strange with the situation presented is that not only was this Marriage Rite within Mass and non-Catholics were excluded from Communion, but Catholics were also excluded from Holy Communion?

 

[WenckebachCath]

The Church provides an option for this “awkward situation presented by life in a multicultural society”. It known as the Rite of Marriage outside of Mass!

This is used when many of the people attending will not be able to receive because they are not Catholic. What is strange with the situation presented is that not only was this Marriage Rite within Mass and non-Catholics were excluded from Communion, but Catholics were also excluded from Holy Communion?

It’s really quite difficult living in an age when everyone wants to be included, even in something they don’t believe in, isn’t it?

I think the above described wedding allows for the deep experience of a nuptial Mass, where the bride and groom share Christ with one another, without the offensive and unavoidable sight of Pagans, Protestants, Athiests, and fallen away Catholics lining up en mass to receive Holy Communion unworthily. It seems like a good option for some.

 

[valient_Lucy]

The Church provides an option for this “awkward situation presented by life in a multicultural society”. It known as the Rite of Marriage outside of Mass!

This is used when many of the people attending will not be able to receive because they are not Catholic. What is strange with the situation presented is that not only was this Marriage Rite within Mass and non-Catholics were excluded from Communion, but Catholics were also excluded from Holy Communion?

It’s an awkward situation, to have people at the wedding who aren’t Catholic. I might have to deal with that one day, if I get married, since my family is not Catholic. I understand the idea of having marriage outside of the Mass, but I would feel incomplete somehow if I could not be married during Mass, and offer the Mass for the success and holiness of our marriage.

But who knows? Maybe I’ll never have to deal with that. But if I do, it will cause a bit of a headache.

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

It’s an awkward situation, to have people at the wedding who aren’t Catholic. I might have to deal with that one day, if I get married, since my family is not Catholic. I understand the idea of having marriage outside of the Mass, but I would feel incomplete somehow if I could not be married during Mass, and offer the Mass for the success and holiness of our marriage.

But who knows? Maybe I’ll never have to deal with that. But if I do, it will cause a bit of a headache.

Well the answer is marry a Catholic or make sure invited non-Catholic and fallen away Catholic guests understand that they are not to approach Holy Communion. Weddings are not normally sudden affairs but should take 6 months to a year to prepare for. Nothing prohibits a Mass with a mixed marriage. We have used a program for mixed Marriages, outlining the Mass and the Marriage Rite and clearly stating the rules for receiving Holy Communion, carefully noting ST. Paul’s warning of unworthy reception.