The major decision that a couple has to take when deciding upon the structure of their Roman Catholic Ceremony is whether or not to include Mass celebrating the Eucharist.
Those couples including Mass should be aware that the Ceremony can last up to an hour, with non-Mass Ceremonies lasting about half that time. The complete transcript for a Roman Catholic Wedding is quite long (even longer with Mass included!), but if you are keen readers, your priest should be able to provide you with a copy for you to take away and read. For those of you who would prefer something a little more easy to digest, we have produced the following which summaries a typical Roman Catholic Wedding (with the inclusion of Mass) into its six main elements.
1. Entrance Rite
The Bride will make her way to the front of the Church sometimes on her father’s arm, preceded by her Bridesmaids. Alternatively, the Bride can be met in the porch of the Church by the priest and the Wedding guests and proceed towards the altar with the priest followed the guests. The Bride’s procession can be accompanied by a musical accompaniment or a hymn sung by the congregation. The Bride and the Groom will then sit or kneel on special cushions and the priest introduces the Service, invites the congregation to make the sign of the cross and says a short prayer.
2. Liturgy of the Word
One or two passages from either the Old or New Testament (normally chosen by the couple) will be read. This can be done by the priest but couples may be given the choice of choosing a relative or friend to do it. A responsorial psalm will be recited or sung after the first reading and a Gospel acclamation will follow the psalm or second reading and be succeeded by a Gospel Reading (again, this can often be chosen by the couple). The Liturgy of the Word concludes with a short homily (a practical, not theological sermon) by the priest.
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