Using members of the wedding party as altar servers.

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Friends, I’m in a bit of a pickle. My fiancée and I will celebrate the Sacrament of Holy Matrimony in a mere five days, and we’ve only been able to procure two experienced altar servers for the Mass.

We’ve a gregorian schola, a choir, two trained lectors to chant the readings, and a wonderful priest-- all imported. I’ve posted at length about the problems we’ve encountered at the parish to date, so I don’t think more needs to be said about why we can’t have parish altar servers assist.

The experienced altar servers will be needed to carry out the essential functions of assisting at Mass. One’s the thurifer, and will obviously have his hands full during the movements in the nave and otherwise. The other could serve as crucifer during the processions.

So, the question I have is this: Is it permissible to have the Catholic members of the bridal party act as candle-bearers during the procession and recession? When we found ourselves in a pinch in Spokane we’d use members of the Schola, and I don’t see how this would be any different, but I just want to make sure.

Being the groom, sacristan, and mc all rolled into one is a pain in the neck. 😦
 
Are you concerned that the parish Altar Servers are not able to perform the functions you would like at your wedding? Altar Servers in my parish serve Mass, Weddings and Funerals (and various liturgies) and most are very experienced as Thurifers, etc.
 
Traditionally, the parish priest takes care of the altar server appointments for weddings from the parish roster of servers.

Having altar servers that are familiar with the layout of the building, and are used to working with the priest is a real benefit to having the event run smooth. Altar servers are usually pleased to do it, as they traditionally receive a gratuity from the wedding party.
 
CatholicNerd said:
…I’ve posted at length about the problems we’ve encountered at the parish to date, so I don’t think more needs to be said about why we can’t have parish altar servers assist…
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Humor me, please. Why can’t you have parish altar servers assist?
 
In your previous thread you had mentioned that you were required to pay a substantial fee for the services of a wedding coordinator, what suggestions does the WC have for this?
 
One altar server is sufficient and in a pinch you don’t even need one.
Try to remember that the sacraments do not require a jeweled setting; they are the more powerful in utmost simplicity.

Matthew
 
CatholicNerd said:
So, the question I have is this: Is it permissible to have the Catholic members of the bridal party act as candle-bearers during the procession and recession?
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Ask your imported priest for his assessment and recommendation.
 
CatholicNerd said:
Friends, I’m in a bit of a pickle. My fiancée and I will celebrate the Sacrament of Holy Matrimony in a mere five days, and we’ve only been able to procure two experienced altar servers for the Mass.

We’ve a gregorian schola, a choir, two trained lectors to chant the readings, and a wonderful priest-- all imported. I’ve posted at length about the problems we’ve encountered at the parish to date, so I don’t think more needs to be said about why we can’t have parish altar servers assist.

The experienced altar servers will be needed to carry out the essential functions of assisting at Mass. One’s the thurifer, and will obviously have his hands full during the movements in the nave and otherwise. The other could serve as crucifer during the processions.

So, the question I have is this: Is it permissible to have the Catholic members of the bridal party act as candle-bearers during the procession and recession? When we found ourselves in a pinch in Spokane we’d use members of the Schola, and I don’t see how this would be any different, but I just want to make sure.

Being the groom, sacristan, and mc all rolled into one is a pain in the neck. 😦
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Two servers are enough…

The only place where you might find yourself lacking is in the processional. One server will no doubt be your crucifer (cross-bearer), the other your thurifer (incense.) Vest your readers in albs and have them act as lucifers (torch-bearers.) They could even remain in the sanctuary until the Gospel reading if there is enough room so they could flank the ambo with their candles during the proclamation of the Gospel while one server tends to the incense and another stands by.

Once in the sanctuary, one server will remain the thurifer, while the other holds the Sacramentary, dresses the altar, handles the lavabo, etc. One experienced server can easily handle that.
 
drafdog said:
One altar server is sufficient and in a pinch you don’t even need one.
Try to remember that the sacraments do not require a jeweled setting; they are the more powerful in utmost simplicity.

Matthew
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Not necessarily.
 
CatholicNerd said:
…So, the question I have is this: Is it permissible to have the Catholic members of the bridal party act as candle-bearers during the procession and recession? …(
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Clearly there are not enough instituted acolytes available. If there were they should be used, following 2002 General Instruction of the Roman Missal (GIRM, which can be accessed from romanrite.com/girm.html ):
“100. In the absence of an instituted acolyte, lay ministers may be deputed to serve at the altar and assist the priest and the deacon; they may carry the cross, the candles, the thurible, the bread, the wine, and the water, and they may also be deputed to distribute Holy Communion as extraordinary ministers.”

It is up to the parish priest (i.e. pastor) to decide who does this. From the 2002 GIRM:
“107. The liturgical duties that are not proper to the priest or the deacon and are listed above (cf. nos. 100-106) may also be entrusted by a liturgical blessing or a temporary deputation to suitable lay persons chosen by the pastor or rector of the church.89 All should observe the norms established by the Bishop for his diocese regarding the office of those who serve the priest at the altar.”

The bishop may not allow female altar servers. The priest may want the altar servers wearing vestments. But I am not aware of anything that would prevent the priest from choosing a member of the bridal party to be an altar sever.
 
Daprato said:
Two servers are enough…

The only place where you might find yourself lacking is in the processional. One server will no doubt be your crucifer (cross-bearer), the other your thurifer (incense.) Vest your readers in albs and have them act as lucifers (torch-bearers.) They could even remain in the sanctuary until the Gospel reading if there is enough room so they could flank the ambo with their candles during the proclamation of the Gospel while one server tends to the incense and another stands by.

Once in the sanctuary, one server will remain the thurifer, while the other holds the Sacramentary, dresses the altar, handles the lavabo, etc. One experienced server can easily handle that.
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Thanks for the suggestion. I’d been wondering if we could do that, and it seems that there’s absolutely nothing to suggest that we can’t! 😃 So, that’s what we’ll do. Thanks for your (name removed by moderator)ut and pray for me! Three days until I’m conjugally matrimonified!
 
This might not be a good idea, unless the kids in your wedding party altar serve at that church already. It would be best to ask the priest to supply about 3 servers from the church to help out, since they should know Mass in that particular church like the backs of their hands.

I am a server, and though I have never altar served at a wedding, I know some triplets who have. They were specially requested by the priest, since they were at the time the most experienced servers. Everyone who went to the wedding said they made the wedding great by not making any mistakes and being really enthusiastic about being there.

If you do go with the servers the church already has, invite them to the reception. They deserve it for going out of their ways to make your special day work!

Good luck and congratulations! 😃

P.S. Try meeting with the servers before the wedding. They should go to the rehearsal. They will do whatever they normally do!
 
CatholicNerd said:
Thanks for the suggestion. I’d been wondering if we could do that, and it seems that there’s absolutely nothing to suggest that we can’t! 😃 So, that’s what we’ll do. Thanks for your (name removed by moderator)ut and pray for me! Three days until I’m conjugally matrimonified!
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Nothing really to add to the discussion but just wanted to say hope everything goes well and hope you have a fabulous day.
God bless you both.
x
 
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