Novus Ordo Weddings: Mass Marriages, Are They Allowed?

Novus Ordo is a Catholic wedding mass that can be made more traditional by incorporating Latin chants and following certain customs. However, opinions vary on whether one should attend a Novus Ordo mass wedding, with some considering it displeasing to God and a sin to attend, while others believe it is not sinful but still harmful to one's faith. Ultimately, the decision to attend such a wedding may depend on personal beliefs and the specific circumstances.

The Novus Ordo Mass is a Catholic wedding ceremony

In a Novus Ordo wedding, the Rite of Marriage occurs in the middle of the Mass, as opposed to the Latin Mass where it takes place at the beginning. While there is some vernacular during the Rite of Marriage, most of the ceremonies in a Novus Ordo Mass are conducted in Latin, the official language of the Catholic Church.

For couples who wish to incorporate more traditional elements into their Novus Ordo wedding, there are several suggestions that can be considered. These include choosing classic and simple hymns, such as Adoro Te Devote, and opting for unaccompanied voices for chants. The organ is the ideal instrument for the Mass. Couples can also incorporate local wedding customs that do not interfere with the liturgical ceremonies, such as leaving flowers to Mary after Communion or crowning, which is common in many Eastern Rites.

It is important to note that the final decision on the wedding ceremony may rest with the priest celebrating the Mass and the parish staff supporting the wedding, such as the wedding coordinator and the choir director.

It can be made more traditional by incorporating Latin chants and following certain customs

A Catholic wedding Mass consists of two parts: the Rite of Marriage and the Mass itself. In a Novus Ordo Mass, the Rite of Marriage occurs in the middle of the Mass, whereas in a Latin Mass, the Rite of Marriage is followed uninterrupted by the Mass.

If you want to make your Novus Ordo wedding more traditional, there are several suggestions you can follow. Firstly, you can incorporate Latin chants into the ceremony. The ideal instrument for the Mass is an organ, and if you choose to incorporate chants, unaccompanied voices are considered the most dignified. You can also choose classic, simple hymns such as Adoro Te Devote. If you want to include more music, the best places for extra songs are during the Offertory and as a prelude.

In terms of readings, you may be given a list or booklet of options for the wedding Mass. You can choose readings that are the same as the votive Mass Missa pro sponso et sponsa, such as the Responsorial Psalm (Novus Ordo)/Tract (Traditional Latin Mass): Psalm 127:4-6 (RSV-CE 128). For the Second Readings (Novus Ordo)/Epistle (Traditional Latin Mass), you can choose Ephesians 5:25-32, omitting the first three lines. The Alleluia verse (Novus Ordo)/Greater Alleluia verse (Traditional Latin Mass) can be Psalm 133:3 (RSV-CE 134:3), and the Gospel can be Matthew 19:3-6.

The Church has always been accommodating of local customs in weddings, as long as they do not interfere with the liturgical ceremonies. Some popular traditional customs include leaving flowers to Mary after Communion, Velatio Nuptialis, and Crowning (common in many Eastern Rites).

The SSPX discourages but does not forbid Catholics from attending a Novus Ordo Mass

The Society of St. Pius X (SSPX) discourages Catholics from attending a Novus Ordo Mass, believing that the New Mass is "intrinsically evil" and that participating in it is always evil. The SSPX claims that the Novus Ordo Mass is not pleasing to God and thus dishonors Him. They argue that the New Mass fails to honor God as it purposely hides the sacrificial nature of the Mass, which is the very essence of adequate worship. SSPX priests advise against attending the Novus Ordo Mass, even if it means missing the Sunday obligation.

However, the SSPX does not forbid Catholics from attending a Novus Ordo Mass. While they strongly discourage it, they recognize that most Catholics who attend the Novus Ordo Mass are unaware of its problems and are therefore not gravely culpable. In certain circumstances, such as weddings and funerals, the SSPX teaches that Catholics may attend a Novus Ordo Mass but should not actively participate. They compare this to attending a Hindu funeral, where one may be physically present without taking part in the rituals.

The SSPX's position on the Novus Ordo Mass is based on their interpretation of doctrine and liturgy. They believe that the New Mass undermines the faith in the sacrificial character of the Mass, the priesthood, and the Real Presence. SSPX priests advise the faithful against attending the Novus Ordo Mass to safeguard their faith and protect them from danger.

The SSPX's stance on the Novus Ordo Mass is a complex and controversial issue within Catholicism. While they discourage attendance, they do not forbid it outright, recognizing that the decision ultimately lies with the individual Catholic and their level of awareness of the New Mass's inherent problems.

The Novus Ordo Mass is considered harmful to the Catholic faith by some

The Novus Ordo Mass, also known as the Ordinary Form of the Mass, is the "new order of the Mass" that was introduced in 1969 by Pope Paul VI. It replaced the Traditional Latin Mass, which had been the standard form of the Mass in the Roman Rite of the Catholic Church since 1570. While the Novus Ordo retains the basic structure of the Traditional Latin Mass, it simplifies the language of the liturgy and removes some repetitions.

Some Catholics consider the Novus Ordo Mass harmful to their faith and believe that it should be avoided. They argue that the Novus Ordo is "impregnated with the very spirit of Protestantism" and that its prayers were written with the intention of appealing to Protestants. They claim that it undermines the sacrificial nature of the Mass and promotes a community-centric view, where the priest is merely a presider. Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre, for instance, noted that the changes to the Mass in the offertory, sermon, canon, and elsewhere mirrored the changes sought by Martin Luther.

Additionally, critics of the Novus Ordo Mass argue that it was formed under the error of archeologism, which prioritizes older practices over time-honored developments in liturgical rites. They also point to the negative fruits that have followed Vatican II, including a decline in Catholic belief and practice.

However, supporters of the Novus Ordo Mass, including Fr. Brian Harrison, argue that these criticisms are unfair and dissident. They acknowledge the concerns of tradition-conscious Catholics but emphasize that the Novus Ordo is not inherently bad or unacceptable. They refute the claim that the Novus Ordo undermines the faith, noting that it still expresses the doctrine of Eucharistic sacrifice and the Real Presence. They attribute the erosion of belief to other factors such as heterodox theology, poor preaching, and liturgical disobedience.

The Rite of Marriage happens in the middle of the Mass

The Rite of Marriage is an essential part of getting married in the Catholic Church. While a Mass is not required, it is strongly encouraged. The Rite of Marriage happens in the middle of the Mass in Catholic weddings in the Novus Ordo Mass.

The Rite of Marriage begins with the priest addressing the couple in the following, or similar, words:

> Dearly beloved, you have come together into the house of the Church so that in the presence of the Church’s minister and the community your intention to enter into Marriage may be strengthened by the Lord with a sacred seal. [If both parties are Christian: Christ abundantly blesses the love that binds you. Through a special Sacrament, he enriches and strengthens those he has already consecrated by Holy Baptism, that they may; If one party is unbaptized (#124): and your love be enriched with his blessing you, so that you may have strength to] be faithful to each other forever and assume all the responsibilities of married life. And so, in the presence of the Church, I ask you to state your intentions.

The priest then questions the couple about their freedom of choice, fidelity to each other, and the acceptance and upbringing of children, to which each partner responds separately. The priest then invites the couple to declare their consent and join their right hands. The couple may then choose to use their own vows or have the priest ask a series of questions to obtain consent.

Once consent is obtained, the priest blesses the couple and their wedding rings. The priest may say:

> May the Lord bless these rings, which you will give to each other as the sign of your love and fidelity.

The couple then exchanges rings, with the husband placing the ring on his wife's finger and saying:

> (Name), receive this ring as a sign of my love and fidelity. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

The wife then does the same. The priest then blesses the couple, saying:

> We beg you, Lord, to look on these your servants, and graciously to uphold the institution of marriage established by you for the continuation of the human race, so that they who have been joined together by your authority may remain faithful together by your help. Through Christ our Lord.

The Rite of Marriage is then followed by the Nuptial Mass.

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