The Catholic Nuptial mass is similar to a regular Sunday mass, but there are a few exceptions that make the Catholic wedding ceremony special.
Here are the beautifully meaningful parts of the Nuptial mass:
- Friends and family do the readings: The first reading is from the Old Testament, usually from Genesis. The second is from the Psalms, led by a cantor. The third reading is from the New Testament, also read by a friend or family member. The last reading, the Gospel, is read by a priest or deacon. The assembly stands for the Gospel.
- Statement of intentions: the priest asks questions to the couple about their freedom of choice, fidelity to each other, and the acceptance and upbringing of children.
- The vows: There are different options for vows, but usually from my experience, the couple separately repeats what the priest tells them.
- Blessing and giving of rings: the couple places the rings on each other’s fingers. At my friend’s wedding they kept the rings in a tray with a white altar cloth with a red cross on it—meaning that those rings are holy, isn’t that amazing?!
- Nuptial blessing: The couple kneels in front of the altar facing the priest, where he prays over the couple.
- The consecration of the Eucharist: This happens at almost every mass, and is the peak of mass, but I wanted to highlight it because Heaven literally shows up at the mass for this moment. SO beautiful!!
- Communion: This is something really special that I learned being in the bridal party for my best friend’s wedding, but the couple receives the precious blood from the priest’s chalice, the only time in their lives they will drink from the priest’s chalice.
- Blessing: the priests speaks a blessing over the couple and the assembly.
- Recessional: “I pronounce you husband and wife; you may kiss the bride.” The Nuptial mass is ended, and the couple is now married!!!
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