Planning Your Catholic Wedding Choosing Catholic wedding readingsFor many couples, choosing the Scripture readings turns out to be one of the highlights of planning their Catholic wedding. Read on to find out why, and to get the complete texts of the readings suggested by the Rite of Marriage.
Review your options for the readingsUnless your wedding falls on certain days, your parish will probably invite you to choose the Scripture readings for your wedding. The part of the Catholic wedding ceremony during which selections from the Bible are read and sung is called the Liturgy of the Word; it usually includes four parts:
Catholic weddings usually include three readings plus the responsorial psalm, although one of the first two readings may sometimes be omitted if there is a good reason (check with your pastor).
The Rite of Marriage provides between seven and ten different options for each of the Scripture readings and the responsorial psalm. Each of the readings was chosen for the insight it offers into Christian marriage, even if it does not speak about marriage directly. Although most engaged couples choose from the readings supplied by the Rite of Marriage, you also have the option of choosing from any of the readings that appear in the Lectionary for Mass (the Church's official book of Scripture texts for use in the liturgy).
Substituting readings from other sources—poetry, for instance, or a work of literature, or another translation of the Bible—is not allowed during a Catholic wedding. (Here's why.) However, readings from these types of texts might be included on the back page of your program, or read during the reception.
If your wedding is on a Sunday, certain feast days, or a holy day of obligation, you must use the readings the Lectionary for Mass provides for that day. For a complete list, see Days on which the reading from the lectionary must be used.
Choose qualified readers (lectors) to proclaim the Word of GodWho will proclaim the Scripture readings during your wedding ceremony? The priest or deacon who witnesses your marriage will proclaim the Gospel reading. The responsorial psalm is usually led by a cantor (song leader), or simply recited by a reader if a cantor is unavailable. That leaves you to find readers (also called lectors) for the first and second readings.
Readers perform a sacred ministry—proclaiming the Word of God—and should be well prepared for their role.
What is God saying to you in the readings?Most Catholics know that Christ is active and present in the Eucharist. But Catholic tradition also holds that God is present in the Scriptures. As James M. Schellman beautifully puts it, "the Lord is active and present to the assembly" through the proclamation of the Scripture readings. God "longs to speak and be heard in the biblical word." (See a link to his full article below.)
God longs to speak to you and your fiancé, too, through the readings you choose for your wedding. What does this imply for how you go about choosing the Scriptures that will be proclaimed at your wedding? Here are a few suggestions:
The ancient monastic practice of lectio divina is one way to open your hearts to what God has to say to you through the wedding readings. Lectio divina, which means "divine reading" in Latin, is a method of reading Scripture in a sort of dialogue with God. The practice involves slowly reading the Scriptural text, savoring each phrase, listening deeply; it then moves on to meditation, prayer, and contemplation.
The text of the Scripture readings suggested by the Rite of MarriageIf you missed the links earlier, here's where to find the complete text of the Scripture readings suggested by the Rite of Marriage:
Can we use non-Scriptural readings in our Catholic wedding? Other websites
The
Lector at Mass
The Ministry of
Lector
The Ministry of the Lector
Biblical
Words Pronunciation Guide
for couples planning a Catholic wedding
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