Junior Rasmussen
The Catholic Church has been known to place restrictions on music for marriage ceremonies performed within the church. One such example is the ban on Mendelssohn's Wedding March, which was lifted in 1904. The ban was due to the piece's association with a farcical wedding in Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream, as well as its secular origins. Wagner's Bridal Chorus, also known as Here Comes the Bride, is another piece that has been banned by the Catholic Church due to its origins – it was written for an opera in which the heroine is forced into a short-lived, doomed marriage. While some Catholics have expressed disagreement with these bans, they continue to influence the music chosen for Catholic weddings.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Reason for ban | References to pagan gods and goddesses, magic, and fantasy |
| Date of ban | 1904 |
| Music allowed | Ave Maria by Charles Gounod |
| Music sometimes requested by Catholics | Wagner's Bridal Chorus, Mendelssohn's Wedding March |
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What You'll Learn
The Wedding March's pagan origins
The "Wedding March", composed by Felix Mendelssohn, was originally written not as a wedding song, but as part of a larger suite to accompany Shakespeare's "A Midsummer Night's Dream". Specifically, it was written to capture the atmosphere of the wedding procession of the fairy queen Titania and Duke Theseus. The play features fairies, magic, and the arrival of a pagan goddess. It also explores themes of confusion, mistaken identities, and love manipulated by magic.
The song did not become popular at weddings until 1858 when it was selected by Victoria, The Princess Royal, for her marriage to Prince Frederick William of Prussia. The bride was the daughter of Queen Victoria, who loved Mendelssohn's music. Mendelssohn's composition is not the only traditional wedding march with pagan origins. Wagner's "Bridal Chorus", which is also often played at weddings, accompanies a couple to the bedroom, not the altar, in his opera "Lohengrin".
The Catholic Church officially discourages playing the "Wedding March" during mass weddings. Some denominations find the song thematically inappropriate for a sacred ceremony. The song's lyrics and themes might clash with the solemnity and sacred nature of a wedding ceremony, particularly those emphasizing Christian doctrine. However, the "Wedding March" can still be played during the processional or recessional under certain circumstances.
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Catholic Church's stance on artistic expression
The Catholic Church has had a complex and evolving relationship with artistic expression, including music and visual art. While the Church has been a significant patron and producer of art throughout history, its stance on specific forms of artistic expression has varied over time.
In terms of music, the Catholic Church has certain guidelines for what is deemed appropriate for use in Mass and other liturgical contexts. For example, there is a discussion about the suitability of Mendelssohn's "Wedding March" for Catholic weddings, with some sources indicating that the Catholic Church officially disallows its use, along with Wagner's "Bridal Chorus," due to their theatrical nature and lack of connection to the Sacred Liturgy. However, there are also accounts of these pieces being played at Catholic weddings, suggesting that the rules may not be consistently enforced.
The Catholic Church has a rich history of patronage and support for visual arts, including iconography, sculpture, decorative arts, applied arts, and architecture. The Church has played a significant role in the development of Western art since at least the 4th century, with the principal subject matter being the life of Jesus Christ and associated figures. The legalization of Christianity in the 4th century led to the adoption of richer forms of artistic expression, such as mosaics and illuminated manuscripts. The Renaissance period, with artists like Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, and Raphael, brought a fundamental transformation to Catholic art, breaking with old theological conventions and embracing Renaissance humanism.
However, the Church's relationship with art has also been marked by periods of controversy and iconoclasm. Early Christian art faced debates over its legitimacy, with figures like Clement of Alexandria, Origen, and Tertullian denouncing its potential for idolatry. The Protestant Reformation in the 16th century produced new waves of image destruction, to which the Catholic Church responded with elaborate Baroque and Rococo styles. During the 19th century, the leadership in Western art shifted away from the Catholic Church, which embraced historical revivalism but was increasingly influenced by modernism.
In more recent times, the Catholic Church has made efforts to rekindle its role as a patron of the arts. Pope Paul VI, during the Second Vatican Council (Vatican II) in the 1960s, called for a rapprochement between the Church and the art world, encouraging a simplification of artistic styles in Catholic churches. The Vatican has participated in contemporary art events like the Venice Biennale and has assembled a significant Collection of Contemporary Art, demonstrating a continued interest in engaging with modern artistic expressions.
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Catholic weddings with non-compliant music
The Catholic Church has strict guidelines on the music that can be played during wedding ceremonies. The Church officially disallows the use of Wagner's "Bridal Chorus" and Mendelssohn's "Wedding March" in marriage ceremonies performed in the church. This is due to the pieces' secular origins and associations with controversial composers. Wagner's "Bridal Chorus" was written for his opera "Lohengrin", where it accompanies a forced, short-lived, and doomed marriage. Mendelssohn's "Wedding March" was composed as incidental music for Shakespeare's "A Midsummer Night's Dream", a play centred around a group of fairies performing magic spells and featuring a Pagan god and goddess.
Despite these official guidelines, some Catholic churches and priests may be more flexible, allowing these pieces to be played during wedding ceremonies. The decision to play this or any other piece of music during a wedding ceremony is often left up to the couple, the priest, and the musicians involved.
When planning a Catholic wedding, it is important to be aware of these guidelines and consult with the church and musicians beforehand. While some churches may provide a list of music that is not allowed, others may have more flexibility. It is essential to respect the rules and guidelines of the church where the wedding will take place.
In the case of non-compliant music, there are alternative options that can be chosen. For example, couples may select other classical pieces or sacred music that aligns with the religious nature of the ceremony. Some popular alternatives include Charles Gounod's "Ave Maria" and Purcell's "Trumpet Voluntary". These pieces offer a more traditional and reverent style, ensuring the music is appropriate for the sacred nature of the Mass.
Ultimately, the choice of music for a Catholic wedding should be respectful of the religious setting while also reflecting the couple's preferences. By working together with the church and musicians, a suitable selection of music can be made to create a meaningful and memorable wedding ceremony.
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Mendelssohn's Wedding March deemed inappropriate
Mendelssohn's Wedding March, composed in 1842, is a popular piece of music for weddings. However, some individuals, particularly those involved in Catholic church music, deem the piece inappropriate for Catholic wedding ceremonies. This is because the music was originally written as incidental music for Shakespeare's "A Midsummer Night's Dream", a comedic play about a pagan god and goddess and their fairies. As such, it is argued that the music portrays fantasy, murder, sex, and other themes deemed inappropriate for the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass.
Some individuals involved in Catholic church music have expressed their refusal to play the piece during Catholic weddings due to its secular and theatrical origins. They argue that it is not sacred music and is therefore unsuitable for the Mass. However, others have questioned this stance, pointing out that other popular wedding pieces, such as Ode to Joy, also have secular origins and that the original context of Mendelssohn's piece may no longer be widely known or relevant.
There are also practical considerations at play, with some individuals choosing to avoid confrontation with the priest or bride by allowing the piece to be played. Additionally, it is suggested that in the broader context of liturgical abuses, the use of Mendelssohn's Wedding March is a minor issue and not a battle worth fighting.
Despite the disagreement, it is clear that there is a strong opinion held by some within the Catholic Church that Mendelssohn's Wedding March is not appropriate for Catholic wedding ceremonies due to its original context and themes. This stance is supported by the fact that the Catholic Church officially disallows the use of this piece in marriage ceremonies performed in the church.
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Catholic Church's ban on Wagner's Bridal Chorus
The Catholic Church officially disallows the use of Wagner's "Bridal Chorus" in marriage ceremonies performed in the church. The piece is considered secular as it is from Richard Wagner's 1848 opera "Lohengrin", where it is used to accompany the procession to the wedding bed rather than the altar. This has led to many musicians, liturgists, and clergy dissuading couples from using it in Catholic weddings.
Some dioceses and parishes ban the piece outright, while others leave the decision to the parish priest. However, it is generally frowned upon due to its secular nature and lack of religious content. The "Bridal Chorus" is also known as "Here Comes the Bride" or the "Wedding March" in English-speaking countries, and its use is not limited to Catholic weddings.
The preference for sacred music in Catholic weddings also extends to other popular wedding songs, such as Chris Brown's "Forever" or Bruno Mars' "Marry You". These songs are generally discouraged in Catholic ceremonies due to their secular nature.
While some may disagree with the ban on Wagner's "Bridal Chorus", the Catholic Church emphasizes the sacred nature of the liturgy and aims to maintain specific standards for wedding music. The Church's guidelines for music in Catholic worship stress the importance of involving all participants and ensuring that the liturgy is a prayerful experience rather than a theatrical production.
Despite the official position of the Catholic Church, there are reports of the "Bridal Chorus" being played at Catholic weddings, indicating that the enforcement of this rule may vary across different parishes and dioceses.
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Frequently asked questions
The Catholic Church banned Mendelssohn's "Wedding March" due to its origins. The music was composed as incidental music for Shakespeare's "A Midsummer Night's Dream", which features a Pagan god and goddess, fairies, magic, and fantasy. As a result, some Catholic leaders found the piece to be inappropriate for Christian ceremonies.
Wagner's "Bridal Chorus", also known as "Here Comes the Bride", is also not allowed in Catholic weddings. This is due to its secular origins and association with a notoriously racist composer. The piece was used in Wagner's opera "Lohengrin", where it accompanies a short-lived, doomed marriage.
While the Catholic Church has officially disallowed the use of these pieces in marriage ceremonies, some couples still choose to play them during their weddings. The decision to play certain music during a wedding ceremony is ultimately left up to the couple and their officiant.
