Wedding at Vigil Mass for Sunday?

[PaulandRose]

My fiance and I are planning on getting Married this March 29th, at a 4pm Vigil Mass for Divine Mercy Sunday. Neither Priest mentioned any problem with this, but I just heard today (from a family member) that it may be a problem to “add” (the wedding vows) to a Mass that will count for Sunday also. Do you know if this is the case? If so…we could exchange our vows before or after the Mass…we want to do what is right by Church/ Canon Law. If you don’t know the answer to this, would you please pass this question on to a Canon Lawyer? If it IS okay to have a Wedding during a Vigil Mass for Sunday, do you know if it is okay to have “Wedding Specific” Opening Prayers, etc… instead of the ones for the Sunday Mass? We are keeping the same Readings, Psalm, Alleluia Verse for the Divine Mercy Sunday Mass. Thank you in advance for your help. God bless you with a beautiful Holy Week and Easter! Rose

 

[NetNuncio]

It is perfectly acceptable to add the wedding vows. It would go the way any other nuptial Mass would. This doesn’t affect the validity in any way and it would completely fulfill the obligation for all involved.

As for exchanging the proper prayers for those for a Nuptial Mass…Is it allowed? Yes. Would I advise it? No.

Here’s why: Some may be there to fulfill their obligations and may have a deep love for Divine Mercy Sunday. While it would be perfectly acceptable to add something, like the sacrament of matrimony, I wouldn’t find it appropriate to take something away and replace it, such as the opening (collect)/closing prayer (communio) or the prayer over the gifts (super oblata).

Congratulations!

 

[benedictgal]

My fiance and I are planning on getting Married this March 29th, at a 4pm Vigil Mass for Divine Mercy Sunday. Neither Priest mentioned any problem with this, but I just heard today (from a family member) that it may be a problem to “add” (the wedding vows) to a Mass that will count for Sunday also. Do you know if this is the case? If so…we could exchange our vows before or after the Mass…we want to do what is right by Church/ Canon Law. If you don’t know the answer to this, would you please pass this question on to a Canon Lawyer? If it IS okay to have a Wedding during a Vigil Mass for Sunday, do you know if it is okay to have “Wedding Specific” Opening Prayers, etc… instead of the ones for the Sunday Mass? We are keeping the same Readings, Psalm, Alleluia Verse for the Divine Mercy Sunday Mass. Thank you in advance for your help. God bless you with a beautiful Holy Week and Easter! Rose

First of all, you need to keep the readings, texts and propers for the Second Sunday of Easter. After all, you are getting married during the Parish Vigil Mass.

When I was helping at the Cathedral, we used to have weddings during the anticipated Sunday Vigil Mass. In fact, because we averaged 80+ weddings a year, that was a viable option. However, the couples were told that they could not pick their own readings and that they needed to respect the liturgical seasons. There were no problems (except, of course, the loud relatives and the mesy clean-up).

Be at peace. You are fine.

 

[PaulandRose]

Just to clarify something, this is not going to be at the Parish’s “official” Vigil Mass…this is a private Wedding/Vigil Mass in the Church’s Chapel. Also, I am new to these forums and have a question: Are “Senior Members” the same as Apologists? Is there a way to also ask a question of a Canon Lawyer? Thanks so much for your help. God bless!

 

[benedictgal]

Just to clarify something, this is not going to be at the Parish’s “official” Vigil Mass…this is a private Wedding/Vigil Mass in the Church’s Chapel. Also, I am new to these forums and have a question: Are “Senior Members” the same as Apologists? Is there a way to also ask a question of a Canon Lawyer? Thanks so much for your help. God bless!

Oh no, we aren’t apologists by any formal sense of the word. I still have yet to figure out how I became a senior member after only having signed up since last October.

You’ll see some really good Canon lawyers pop up from time to time. One is cameron_lansing, who is excellent. Brendan is studying canon law and is rock solid.

Technically, there may not be such a thing as a private Mass. If it’s posted in the bulletin, folks may happen to show up (it’s occured quite a few times at the Cathedral during wedding Masses that are celebrated after the parish vigil Mass–often, they were tourists).

I have to commend you for using the readings and propers for the Second Sunday of Easter. It’s a good and holy thing to invoke Divine Mercy as you begin your new life together.

 

[jrabs]

Just to clarify something, this is not going to be at the Parish’s “official” Vigil Mass…this is a private Wedding/Vigil Mass in the Church’s Chapel. Also, I am new to these forums and have a question: Are “Senior Members” the same as Apologists? Is there a way to also ask a question of a Canon Lawyer? Thanks so much for your help. God bless!

One becomes a Senior after post count reaches 300 I believe.

 

[1ke]

My fiance and I are planning on getting Married this March 29th, at a 4pm Vigil Mass for Divine Mercy Sunday. Neither Priest mentioned any problem with this, but I just heard today (from a family member) that it may be a problem to “add” (the wedding vows) to a Mass that will count for Sunday also. Do you know if this is the case? If so…we could exchange our vows before or after the Mass…we want to do what is right by Church/ Canon Law. If you don’t know the answer to this, would you please pass this question on to a Canon Lawyer? If it IS okay to have a Wedding during a Vigil Mass for Sunday, do you know if it is okay to have “Wedding Specific” Opening Prayers, etc… instead of the ones for the Sunday Mass? We are keeping the same Readings, Psalm, Alleluia Verse for the Divine Mercy Sunday Mass. Thank you in advance for your help. God bless you with a beautiful Holy Week and Easter! Rose

Canon Law doesn’t speak to this at all. The Mass rubrics are covered by the GIRM. You’ve been given good replies, everything you want to do is just fine.

As to qualifications of posters, in the general forum there are none. You could post on the “Ask The Apologist” site if you want only an employee of CAF to reply.

And, those with senior member designations are based on number of posts, not credentials.

 

[PaixGioiaAmor]

Oh no, we aren’t apologists by any formal sense of the word. I still have yet to figure out how I became a senior member after only having signed up since last October.

You’ll see some really good Canon lawyers pop up from time to time. One is cameron_lansing, who is excellent. Brendan is studying canon law and is rock solid.

Technically, there may not be such a thing as a private Mass. If it’s posted in the bulletin, folks may happen to show up (it’s occured quite a few times at the Cathedral during wedding Masses that are celebrated after the parish vigil Mass–often, they were tourists).

I have to commend you for using the readings and propers for the Second Sunday of Easter. It’s a good and holy thing to invoke Divine Mercy as you begin your new life together.

So that means that their interpretations are as you think they should be?

 

[Pax_Vobiscum_57]

The only thing I would want to mention to you is to consider the people who will be in your wedding photos. I attended a Vigil Mass where a wedding was celebrated, and a lot of the parishioners had no idea there would be a wedding. Some grumbled during the vows. Hope the videographer could cut them out. However, it’s wonderful to have a full house witnessing your Marriage!

 

[benedictgal]

So that means that their interpretations are as you think they should be?

The fact that they are astute, knowledgeable and faithful to the Magisterium of the Church shouldn’t be any reason to discount them.

Regarding the timing of the Nuptial Mass, I do believe that the OP indicated that it wasn’t going to occur during the parish’s anticipated Sunday Vigil Mass.

 

[jbebeau]

Since you Marriage is being celebrated during the Octave of Easter, and each day ranks as a solemnity the prayers and readings of the day must be used. The GIRM does not permit a Ritual Mass to be celebrated during a solemnity or a Sunday during Easter. That doesn’t mean you can’t get married during these times, it just means that the special prayer associated with the celebration of Marriage cannot be used. Nevertheless the Nuptial Blessing is still given after the recitation of the Our Father.

1. Ritual Masses are connected to the celebration of certain Sacraments or Sacramentals. They are prohibited on Sundays of Advent, Lent, and Easter, on solemnities, on the days within the Octave of Easter, on the Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed (All Souls’ Day), on Ash Wednesday, and during Holy Week, taking due account of the norms given in the ritual books or in the Masses themselves.

 

[John_Lilburne]

From the Introduction to the Rite of Marriage (of A.D. 1969):
“11. … If the marriage is celebrated on a Sunday or solemnity, the Mass of the day is used with the nuptial blessing and the special final blessing according to the circumstances. …
when the wedding Mass may not be held, one of the readings from the texts provided for the marriage celebration (nos. 67-105) may be chosen, except from Holy Thursday to Easter, on the solemnities of Epiphany, Ascension, Pentecost, or Corpus Christi, or on holydays of obligation. On the Sundays of the Chrismas season and in Ordinary Time, the entire wedding Mass may be used in Masses that are not parish Masses.”
(The Rites Volume One, Liturgical Press, 1990, ISBN: 0-8146-6015-0.)

From the 2002 General Instruction of the Roman Missal (GIRM) approved for the USA, which can be accessed from romanrite.com/girm.html :
“372. Ritual Masses are connected to the celebration of certain Sacraments or Sacramentals. They are prohibited on Sundays of Advent, Lent, and Easter, on solemnities, on the days within the Octave of Easter, on the Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed (All Souls’ Day), on Ash Wednesday, and during Holy Week, taking due account of the norms given in the ritual books or in the Masses themselves.”

I have highlighted the last part, because it is saying to follow the ritual book (such as the Rite of Marriage).

 

[MusicMan]

The most prudent course of action would be to discuss these and any other concerns with your pastor and/or the priest officiating at your wedding and celebrating the Mass. This fosters a positive sense of trust between your family and the clergy involved, and that is an optimal situation.

 

[puzzleannie]

My fiance and I are planning on getting Married this March 29th, at a 4pm Vigil Mass for Divine Mercy Sunday. Neither Priest mentioned any problem with this, but I just heard today (from a family member) that it may be a problem to “add” (the wedding vows) to a Mass that will count for Sunday also.

unless the family member is a priest conducting the wedding, ignore them
it is always an option, except on certain solemnities and during the triduum, to exchange marriage vows before or during a regular scheduled Mass (on Saturday–at least here weddings may not be done on Sunday, I don’t know if that rules is universal).

congratulations, prayers and best wishes for your happiness.

 

[PaulandRose]

Ah, yes, you are quite right. It was a poor choice of words on my part to call it a “private” Wedding as anybody may join us. Thanks to those who explained the “Senior Members” status here, and for your help in giving me names of some of those studying Canon Law. Both Paul and I have a great devotion to our Lord’s Divine Mercy, and it is our Merciful Lord who showed us that he was pleased with the date we had chosen. The day after (or the actual day) that me and Paul discussed that we’d like to get Married on Divine Mercy Sunday we went to our local Our Lady of Victory Basilica where I was promptly led (by the lady who took over leading the Chaplet there when I moved) to meet the woman who recieved the 1st recorded Miracle towards St. Faustina’s Canonization. What a blessing that was! God is great!

Oh no, we aren’t apologists by any formal sense of the word. I still have yet to figure out how I became a senior member after only having signed up since last October.

You’ll see some really good Canon lawyers pop up from time to time. One is cameron_lansing, who is excellent. Brendan is studying canon law and is rock solid.

Technically, there may not be such a thing as a private Mass. If it’s posted in the bulletin, folks may happen to show up (it’s occured quite a few times at the Cathedral during wedding Masses that are celebrated after the parish vigil Mass–often, they were tourists).

I have to commend you for using the readings and propers for the Second Sunday of Easter. It’s a good and holy thing to invoke Divine Mercy as you begin your new life together.

 

[PaulandRose]

Oh thank you VERY much! That makes it sound as if we can indeed use some of the special other prayers from the Wedding Mass Liturgy choices! But we will still keep the same Divine Mercy Sunday Readings & Psalms for those who will not also go again to Mass on Divine Mercy Sunday itself. I will be going again on Sunday anyways (as I attend Daily Mass) and most likely my sweet Paul will do the same. God bless!

From the Introduction to the Rite of Marriage (of A.D. 1969):
“11. … If the marriage is celebrated on a Sunday or solemnity, the Mass of the day is used with the nuptial blessing and the special final blessing according to the circumstances. …
when the wedding Mass may not be held, one of the readings from the texts provided for the marriage celebration (nos. 67-105) may be chosen, except from Holy Thursday to Easter, on the solemnities of Epiphany, Ascension, Pentecost, or Corpus Christi, or on holydays of obligation. On the Sundays of the Chrismas season and in Ordinary Time, the entire wedding Mass may be used in Masses that are not parish Masses.”
(The Rites Volume One, Liturgical Press, 1990, ISBN: 0-8146-6015-0.)

From the 2002 General Instruction of the Roman Missal (GIRM) approved for the USA, which can be accessed from romanrite.com/girm.html :
“372. Ritual Masses are connected to the celebration of certain Sacraments or Sacramentals. They are prohibited on Sundays of Advent, Lent, and Easter, on solemnities, on the days within the Octave of Easter, on the Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed (All Souls’ Day), on Ash Wednesday, and during Holy Week, taking due account of the norms given in the ritual books or in the Masses themselves.”

I have highlighted the last part, because it is saying to follow the ritual book (such as the Rite of Marriage).

 

[PaulandRose]

I did pose this question to the “Ask The Apologist” forum, and will await their possible reply. God bless!

Canon Law doesn’t speak to this at all. The Mass rubrics are covered by the GIRM. You’ve been given good replies, everything you want to do is just fine.

As to qualifications of posters, in the general forum there are none. You could post on the “Ask The Apologist” site if you want only an employee of CAF to reply.

And, those with senior member designations are based on number of posts, not credentials.

 

[PaulandRose]

…as this will only be about 40 friends & family in the tiny “Memorare Chapel” which is separate from the main Church. We are having our Wedding Mass at 4pm, but the main Church’s Vigil Mass is at 5. Thanks for your thoughts tho. God bless!

The only thing I would want to mention to you is to consider the people who will be in your wedding photos. I attended a Vigil Mass where a wedding was celebrated, and a lot of the parishioners had no idea there would be a wedding. Some grumbled during the vows. Hope the videographer could cut them out. However, it’s wonderful to have a full house witnessing your Marriage!

 

[PaulandRose]

I read a later answer 1st and am now seeing this. I now have no idea if we can use the special other Marriage Prayers during the Mass or not. Sigh… thanks all for your help tho!

Since you Marriage is being celebrated during the Octave of Easter, and each day ranks as a solemnity the prayers and readings of the day must be used. The GIRM does not permit a Ritual Mass to be celebrated during a solemnity or a Sunday during Easter. That doesn’t mean you can’t get married during these times, it just means that the special prayer associated with the celebration of Marriage cannot be used. Nevertheless the Nuptial Blessing is still given after the recitation of the Our Father.

1. Ritual Masses are connected to the celebration of certain Sacraments or Sacramentals. They are prohibited on Sundays of Advent, Lent, and Easter, on solemnities, on the days within the Octave of Easter, on the Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed (All Souls’ Day), on Ash Wednesday, and during Holy Week, taking due account of the norms given in the ritual books or in the Masses themselves.

 

[PaulandRose]

Well, actually, the family member (with the best of intentions) mentioned this to the Priest who will be celebrating our Wedding and he wasn’t sure and is now wondering what he/we are allowed to do.

unless the family member is a priest conducting the wedding, ignore them
it is always an option, except on certain solemnities and during the triduum, to exchange marriage vows before or during a regular scheduled Mass (on Saturday–at least here weddings may not be done on Sunday, I don’t know if that rules is universal).

congratulations, prayers and best wishes for your happiness.