Where can Catholics get married?

[friarpark]

Our parish is having a Mass in the local park tomorrow with a picnic to follow. My wife is asking why we can have a Mass in a park but not a wedding. I am fumbling for an answer.

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

Thanks for the answers everybody.

Why would it be easier to get a dispensation for a Catholic and a non-Catholic? In the case I’m interested in, the marriage would be between two practicing Catholics who still want a full Catholic service with a priest presiding. All that’s really changing is the scenery. I’m sure God is present regardless of the location…it is his universe, he’s everywhere

Because the request is usually to allow the Marriage to take place in the non-Catholics place of worship. They are almost never granted to take place in other places. You need to study the Sacramental theology of Marriage a bit more.

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

Our parish is having a Mass in the local park tomorrow with a picnic to follow. My wife is asking why we can have a Mass in a park but not a wedding. I am fumbling for an answer.

The only good reason in my opinion would be because the church building won’t hold all the people who plan to attend the picnic. The largest church here seats about 1000. If there was a wedding planned that expected 1500 to 2000 people to attend then there would be justification to ask for a dispensation for an outdoor wedding.

 

[arullo123]

I understand what cannon law states but I have to disagree with some of the posters here. Saying that a marriage needs to take place in a uniquely holy and solum place and that that place is a church building is rediculous. The brick building was made by man, the beach was made by God. His Church is not made of brick and stone it is made of the members of that church,

In the Navy we celebrate mass in the galley where we eat or in a tent or storage closet if need be. These places are not any less holy than a building with the cross on the top of it. To say that the physical location of such a ceremony means just as much if not more than the feeling, committment and intent of all involved is counterintuitive.

That all being said these are what I think. Our religion is full of things we dont understand. We entrust religious people to interpret the bible and God’s word for us and we need to follow that or we cannot claim to have faith. So try and do it the right way and get the appropriate paperwork.

 

[choy]

i’ve heard of some Catholics, in their desire to have some sort of wedding in a garden or beach, would have a Catholic wedding inside a church, with family only. then later on do the outdoor thing as merely a ceremony with family, friends, and other guests, where they just have a civil ceremony, just stating their vows for all

in the Philippines, some chapels that were for private use within Retreat Centers have opened their doors to hold weddings. and these chapels are really beautiful (i got married in one) and they do hold regular Sunday Mass there as well. in the Philippines it was common to get married in another parish, usually in the more popular Cathedrals or historical churches.

 

[SwizzleStick]

…In the Navy we celebrate mass in the galley where we eat or in a tent or storage closet if need be. …

This is an old thread, but I’ll respond.

Bolding is mine to make a point. Being in the Navy means there is a need to celebrate Mass somewhere other than in a Catholic Church, but there is no “need be” in this issue. Canon law indicates that Catholics must marry in a Catholic Church, just as Catholics celebrate all other sacraments in the Church, unless they receive a dispensation to marry elsewhere, usually in a non-Catholic spouse’s church (and the Catholic would also need another dispensation to marry the non-Catholic).

 

[LilyM]

In the Navy we celebrate mass in the galley where we eat or in a tent or storage closet if need be. These places are not any less holy than a building with the cross on the top of it.

“if need be” being the operative words. Need excuses many things, but to say that what passes in difficult circumstances (such as being on board ship) is a normal or desirable course of events is illogical.

If need be, I can live in a tent and sleep in a sleeping bag and eat bread and water - does that mean that it is not preferable and better for me, where possible, to live in more solid shelter, sleep in a proper bed and eat a varied diet?

To say that the physical location of such a ceremony means just as much if not more than the feeling, committment and intent of all involved is counterintuitive.

Aah, the old ‘feelings/committment are what matters’ argument. Well, if feelings are all that matters, why bother holding any formal ceremony at all? If it doesn’t make husband and wife FEEL any more committed to each other? After all many couples use just that logic and don’t bother getting married at all.

In fact why bother attending church at all, at any time? Why not just sit at home with our Sunday Missals, or watch Mass on TV or whatnot? If physical locations of ceremonies don’t matter?

And what about the fact that GOD might just feel a little something about these matters too? After all, didn’t He command the Israelites to build Him an elaborate temple wherein He could be worshipped in a fitting manner? At a time, quite likely, where many of them were still living in tents or wooden huts?

That all being said these are what I think. Our religion is full of things we dont understand. We entrust religious people to interpret the bible and God’s word for us and we need to follow that or we cannot claim to have faith. So try and do it the right way and get the appropriate paperwork.

The stipulation that the ordinary place for religious ceremonies, including weddings and Masses, is to be in a church building, is neither mysterious nor incapable of being understood.

 

[choy]

agreed! the Church makes exceptions based on necessity, not based on the desire of a location