Franklin Dean
A Catholic wedding program is more than just a guide to the day's events; it's a keepsake that outlines the sacred rituals of the ceremony. For weddings without Mass, the Liturgy of the Eucharist and Communion are omitted. The wedding program should include the names of the bride and groom, the date, time, and location of the wedding, and the names of important people such as parents, attendants, and celebrants. It should also list the order of the ceremony, including songs, readings, and prayers. If non-Catholic guests are expected, it is helpful to include an explanation of Catholic beliefs and practices, such as communion. The program can also include gentle reminders for guests, such as requesting that they silence their phones. Ultimately, the program should aid guests in their participation in the Liturgy, ensuring they can follow the exact order of the ceremony and perform the expected gestures.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Purpose | To guide guests through the ceremony, providing an outline of the rituals and aiding guests in worship |
| Format | Booklet, fan program, tri-fold program |
| Content | Names of the couple, date and time of the wedding, name of the church, names of important people, order of the mass, songs and readings, explanation of communion for non-Catholic guests, gentle reminder about guest behaviour |
| Exclusions | Liturgy of the Eucharist, communion |
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What You'll Learn
The wedding liturgy uniting/celebrating the nuptials of
The liturgy will begin with an introduction, welcoming everyone to the ceremony. This will include the names of the bride and groom, the date of the wedding, and the name of the church. The names of important people in the ceremony will be listed, including parents, attendants, and celebrants. This will be followed by the order of the liturgy, which may include:
- Scripture readings from the Old Testament, New Testament, and the Gospels, with at least one reading speaking explicitly of marriage.
- Prayers, such as the Prayers of the Faithful and the Nuptial Blessing.
- Musical selections, including hymns and songs.
- The Lord's Prayer.
- Concluding rites.
The liturgy will also involve the preparation of the altar, the presentation of gifts, and the Eucharistic prayers if communion is included. The act of communion is a powerful symbol of unity between the couple and the congregation as they share a sacred meal. If there are non-Catholic guests, an explanation of the bread and wine presented as the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ may be included in the program.
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Names of important people
A Catholic wedding program without mass should include the names of important people in the ceremony. This includes the parents of the bride and groom, the maid of honour, the best man, bridesmaids, groomsmen, ushers, flower girl/ring bearer, personal attendant, and any priests or deacons presiding over the ceremony.
The witnesses, usually the best man and maid of honour, will sign the Marriage record along with the priest or deacon, either in the vesting room or in front of the guests, but not on the altar.
If the couple includes members of an interfaith marriage, they may wish to talk with the priest or deacon about the participation of clergy from the non-Catholic party's church. If the ceremony is held in the non-Catholic's church, permission from the bishop is required for the marriage to be considered valid.
The priest or deacon will also be involved in the planning of the service, so it is important to work with them to arrange the details of the wedding ceremony.
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Order of the mass
A Catholic wedding program without mass should still include an order of service, which is particularly important if many of your guests are not Catholic. This will help them to understand what is going on and guide them through the rituals.
The first page can include a photo of the couple, their names, the date and time of the wedding, and the name of the church. The second page can list the names of the important people in the wedding party, including parents, attendants, and celebrants.
The next page should list the order of the service. This can include the songs and readings, as well as the Scripture readings, the Prayers of the Faithful, and the musical selections. If you are having a Communion service, it is a good idea to include a note explaining the Catholic belief in the transformation of the bread and wine into the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ, so that non-Catholic guests are not confused.
The Liturgy of the Eucharist is a significant part of a Catholic wedding with Mass, but this is not included in a wedding without Mass. The heart of the marriage ritual is instead found in the consent exchanged by the couple and the Nuptial Blessing.
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Readings and prayers
A Catholic wedding is a profound religious ceremony and a celebration of love. The wedding program is a guide to the day's events and a beautiful outline of the sacred rituals. It is also a keepsake for the couple and their guests.
If you are having a Catholic wedding without Mass, there are several readings and prayers you can include in your program. Here are some suggestions:
Readings
The Liturgy of the Word is a part of the Catholic wedding program where the priest and/or a family member or friend of the couple will read passages from the Bible. You can include the specific Bible passages in your program, so your guests can follow along.
The New Testament offers fourteen options for Scripture readings, including:
> "It needs to be stressed that these words [of consent] cannot be reduced to the present; they involve a totality that includes the future: 'until death do us part.' – Pope Francis, Amoris Laetitia, no. 214
Prayers
The Prayers of the Faithful are an important part of a Catholic wedding program. These prayers are a time for the couple to pray for their loved ones and for their own marriage. You can include the specific prayers in your program, or simply list the intentions that will be prayed for.
- The Lord's Prayer
- Nuptial Blessing
- Sign of Peace
Additionally, you may want to include a short note explaining the Catholic belief in the Eucharist, especially if you are expecting non-Catholic guests. Here is an example:
> "We as Catholics believe that the bread and wine presented has been transformed into the Body and Blood of our Lord, Jesus Christ."
Remember, the wedding program is a way to guide your guests through the ceremony and make it accessible and meaningful for everyone. By including readings and prayers, you are inviting your guests to actively participate in your special day.
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Guest instructions
Dear guests,
We are thrilled to have you join us on this special day as we celebrate the union of [bride's name] and [groom's name]. We invite you to participate in the worship and rituals that will take place during the ceremony. Please note that this wedding will be a Catholic celebration without Mass.
To help guide you through the ceremony, we have provided a detailed program that outlines the order of events, including the rituals and traditions that are unique to a Catholic wedding. Please take a moment to familiarise yourself with the program so that you can actively participate in the liturgy.
As you will see, there will be various gestures expected of you as attendees, such as kneeling and bowing. We kindly ask that you follow the program to ensure your participation aligns with the traditions of the Catholic Church.
Additionally, we request that you keep your phones on silent mode during the ceremony and refrain from blocking the aisle when taking photographs. We also ask that you kindly respect the solemnity of the occasion by refraining from disruptive behaviour.
Thank you for your cooperation, and we look forward to celebrating this joyous occasion with you.
[Bride's name] and [Groom's name]
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Frequently asked questions
The main purpose of a Catholic wedding program is to guide your guests through the ceremony, especially if it involves a Mass. It should include information to aid your guests in worship with you, as not all your guests may be Catholic.
The first page of a Catholic wedding program without Mass can include a picture of the couple, their names, the date and time of the wedding, and the name of the church.
The second page can list the names of important people in the ceremony, including the parents of the bride and groom, attendants, and celebrants.
In addition to the above, you can include the order of the ceremony, the songs and readings, and a note explaining the Catholic belief in the transformation of bread and wine into the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ during communion.
