OF Nuptial Mass Introit: Logistics
  • JDE
    Posts: 588
    Okay, so the couple with the chant wedding in my parish are going to have a terrific vocal ensemble for their Mass. Now the questions of logistics come up.

    I explained that the "bridal procession" of bridesmaids etc. is merely a cultural norm, not prescribed in the liturgical documents, but the girl's father is rather advanced in years and will not hear of giving up the chance to walk his daughter down the aisle. So, that said, what should we do?

    If I understand correctly, the Introit should be sung while the priest and the ministers proceed to the altar. What do we do to cover the parade of bridesmaids and groomsmen, and ultimately the bride? Maybe a composed setting of the Introit text?

    Also - if we need lots of music, is it permitted to do more than one of the allowed Introits? Maybe we could do "Timete Dominum" for the parade and "Deus Israel" for the bride -- presumably while the celebrant comes out of the Sacristy as well.

    Input earnestly solicited! I am trying to get the repertoire nailed down before Lent gets underway.
  • marajoymarajoy
    Posts: 781
    Ok, here is my pure OPINION. It makes sense in my head.

    The introit begins. The bridesmaids walk down the aisle, followed by the priest and whoever else might be in the procession. (the priest incenses the altar?) The introit finishes. THEN...the talented organist improvises in a somewhat dramatic manner on the introit for a few more minutes while the bride walks down the aisle. (This is what I'm envisioning for my wedding!)
    tah dah, everyone is happy!

    If you've got the priest as part of the procession, and he at least does his stuff during the introit, then can't you just do whatever you want afterwards? (for the bride, who, isn't even really supposed to be in the procession, etc.)
  • chonakchonak
    Posts: 9,160
    If the priest were to enter down the aisle, followed later by the bride, it would create a confusing suggestion that she outranks him in some sense. That probably is fine with many brides, but I'm not sure if we want to encourage it. :-)
  • JahazaJahaza
    Posts: 468
    If the priest were to enter down the aisle, followed later by the bride, it would create a confusing suggestion that she outranks him in some sense.

    That's precisely the impression the rite wants (rightly or wrongly) to convey, because the bride and groom are the celebrants of the sacrament of matrimony, not the priest.

    From the rite of marriage:

    19. At the appointed time, the priest, vested for Mass, goes with the ministers to the door of the church or, if more suitable, to the altar. There he greets the bride and bridegroom in a friendly manner, showing that the Church shares their joy. . .

    20. If there is a procession to the altar, the ministers [read altar servers, lectors, a robed sanctuary choir] go first, followed by the priest, and then the bride and bridegroom. According to local custom, they may be escorted by at least their parents and the two witnesses. Meanwhile, the entrance song is sung.
  • chonakchonak
    Posts: 9,160
    It makes sense, if the bride and bridegroom enter together after the priest. If the bride enters alone after the priest, it's not the same.
  • Adam WoodAdam Wood
    Posts: 6,451
    At my wedding we followed those rubrics (And all the rest) to the letter.
    It's funny how everyone thought we were "bucking tradition" by not doing a the "Bride escorted by her father while groom stands there forlornly" thing.

    I want to be a wedding planner for Catholic couples. My services would consist of:
    Opening the book.
    Doing what it says.

    (That, also, should be the official Job Description of every parish "liturgist.")


    Anywho- I don't think the procession confuses people about who outranks whom at a wedding. The mother of the bride is in charge whether she processes or not.
  • mahrt
    Posts: 517
    Another possible solution: play the organ during the whole procession (don't play the Wagner or the Mendelssohn) and sing the Introit while the priest incenses the altar. I think the "meanwhile the entrance song is sung" is sufficiently vague to permit this.
  • JDE
    Posts: 588
    Can someone point me where to find the Rite of Marriage online? I can always borrow it and photocopy the relevant passages, I suppose, but would rather take a look at it so i can deal effectively with my pastor and not just go along with everything that is normally done, regardless of whether it is supposed to be done or not.
  • chonakchonak
    Posts: 9,160
    I don't know about on-line, but paperback copies of "The Rites of the Catholic Church" (vol 1) are available used.
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