The former Rite of Marriage (1969) has been significantly revised and updated into the Order of Celebrating Matrimony (1991/2016). What was Rite is now Order. What was once Marriage is now Matrimony. Is that a significant difference? Stay tuned to see.
More than eleven years ago, we looked at the old Rite, and followed that with a long series, Bible Readings For Your Wedding. I think we’re overdue for a liturgical update on this site. We’ll be starting soon.
With new parish duties as the “first interviewer” for engaged couples, it seems time for me to familiarize myself with the new liturgical stuff. My cursory glance at the new rite has a lot of changes. Musicians and priests who continue on auto-pilot for weddings will be found disconnected from the Church’s intent. I work with mainly retired clergy here in the northwestern wilds. My new diocese is not quite as up-to-date as I’ve found the Midwest. I had a wedding out here where the priest insisted the Gloria was not to be done (the couple actually requested it) but insisted instead on the Confiteor and Kyrie. Go figure.
The praenotanda is vital; and we’ll look at that first, referencing back to the 1969 text. Some of the ritual elements are interesting too. I can’t promise daily posts at this point; we’ll see how it all works.
Meanwhile, any comments from the readers on what you’ve seen or not seen at weddings lately?
