Information for those who are anticipating Marriage at St. Al's Parish
I. Reflections on Holy Matrimony
“The matrimonial covenant, by which a man and a woman establish between themselves a partnership of the whole of life, is by its nature ordered toward the good of the spouses and the procreation and education of offspring; this covenant between baptized persons has been raised by Christ the Lord to the dignity of a sacrament.” (#1601) WHAT MUSIC SHOULD WE AVOID?
One should avoid “traditional” wedding marches from Tannheuser & Lohenrin—written to accompany mock weddings within the operas they come from (e.g. “Here comes the Bride”).
One should avoid secular songs. Rarely would music borrowed from the entertainment world suitably express the faith present at a Christian marriage. Every generation has its love songs. Some of these are great music. They may have a place on your wedding day, but that place is not likely to be the liturgy.
One should avoid using pre-recorded music. Accompaniment tracks, CD’s, cassette tapes, and the like, diminish the integrity of the wedding liturgy.
WHO SHOULD PROVIDE THE MUSIC FOR OUR WEDDING?
An organist and cantor are the two basic musicians needed. You may have a family member or friend who is a musician and who wishes to play or sing at your wedding. We welcome guest musicians as long as they are capable and experienced. A rehearsal with the organist is required. The parish office has a list of organists and soloist. Keep in mind the difference between a cantor and a soloist. The primary responsibility of the cantor is leading the people in sung prayer. If there is only one singer, the cantor needs to be skilled at cantoring, as well as solo singing.
WHO "APPROVES" THE MUSIC?
All music selections must have the approval of the celebrant or parish liturgist and must meet the requirements in the "Wedding Music Guidelines" document published by the Diocese of Springfield.
WHAT ARE THE MUSICIAN FEES?
The musicians' fees are contracted and paid directly to them. The cost varies from musician to musician. The average fee ranges from $125.00 to $175.00 per musician. Fees are due at time of service (your wedding day). Musicians schedule their own rehearsals, and they are not required at the wedding rehearsal.
HOW DO WE SELECT THE MUSIC?
The parish musician can help you discover and select your music. You will need to arrange a mutually convenient time to plan your wedding music selections. Usually, the organist and the singer are present and the meeting venue is the Church. The meeting usually lasts an hour. With help from your music ministers, you will fill out a planning sheet with the music details (titles, composers, etc.) You will find this helpful, particularly if you are providing printed programs for your wedding guests. These details help you and the musicians plan the amount and type of music you will need (See "Sample Wedding Music Form").
SAMPLE WEDDING MUSIC FORM
St. Aloysius Church
BRIDE:____________________________________________________________
GROOM:__________________________________________________________
HOME PHONE:___________________ WORK PHONE:___________________
WEDDING DATE/TIME:_______________________________________________________
PRESIDER:________________________________________________________
ATTENDANTS______RING______FLOWER______
LOCATION:____________________________
#GUESTS:______________________________
VOCALISTS:_______________________________________________________
INSTRUMENTALISTS:______________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
THE LITURGY
PRELUDE: may be instrumental or sung
PROCESSIONAL
Mothers may be instrumental or sung
Bridesmaids & Bride an instrumental processional or two is recommended
Bride Same as above
GATHERING HYMN (optional): if used, should be sung by entire assembly
OPENING PRAYER
FIRST READING
RESPONSORIAL PSALM Must be a psalm text with a sung refrain.
(Print the text in your program!)
SECOND READING:
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION A sung alleluia, or during Lent, another Acclamation. Again, a sung refrain is required.
GOSPEL READING
HOMILY
EXCHANGE OF WEDDING VOWS
BLESSING OF RINGS
PRAYERS OF THE FAITHFUL
PRESENTATION OF GIFTS (MASS ONLY) A brief song or instrumental background is appropriate here as the bread & wine are brought forward and the altar prepared.
EUCHARISTIC ACCLAMATIONS (MASS ONLY) These must be sung at all weddings with a Mass. The cantor should lead them. Haugen's "Mass of Creation" provides the currently best-known setting in Catholic Churches. These include the Holy Holy, Memorial Acclamation, Amen and Lamb of God.
OUR FATHER should be spoken by the assembly at this time. If a sung Lord's Prayer is desired, then it should be done as a prelude or Communion Meditation.
SIGN OF PEACE A short instrumental selection may be appropriate at this time.
COMMUNION (MASS ONLY) Music during communion may be a solo song, a song with a refrain for the assembly, or simply instrumental. Any song or hymn you would hear at communion time in a Church could be appropriate.
FINAL BLESSING
RECESSIONAL May be instrumental, but may also be a joyful congregational hymn. Music may continue to be played or sung as people are leaving Church.
MUSIC SELECTIONS FOR YOUR WEDDING*
Processionals & Recessionals (instrumentals)
Air from "Water Music" (Handel)
Arioso (Bach)*
Canon in D (Pachelbel)*
Hornpipe from "Water Music" (Handel)*
Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring (Bach)*
Ode to Joy (Beethoven)
Rigaudon - Campra
Trumpet Tune (Clarke)
Trumpet Voluntary (Clarke)*
Trumpet Voluntary - Stanley
Trumpet Voluntary (Young)
Hymns
Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee
Lord of All Hopefulness/Bridegroom and Bride (SLANE) GIA
Love Divine, All Loves Excelling
Love is the Sunlight (Morning has Broken) GIA
Praise God From Whom All Blessings Flow (Old Hundredth)
Seating of Mothers/Flowers to Blessed Mother
Any instrumental or meditation song
Ave Maria (e.g. Schuber, Bach-Gounod, Norbet)*
Hail Mary, Gentle Woman
Responsorial Psalms
Psalm 16: The Path of Life - Soper
Psalm 16: Center of my Life - Inwood
Psalm 24: I Have Loved You - Joncas
Psalm 25: To You O Lord - Soper
Psalm 33: God is Love _ Haas*
Psalm 34: Taste and See – Moore*
Psalm 63: My soul is Thirsting - Angrisano
Psalm 103: The Lord is Kind and Merciful – Cotter (GIA)*
Psalm 114/115 We Praise You - Dameans
Psalm 116: The Name of God - Haas
Psalm 128: Blest Are Those Who Love You – Haugen (GIA)*
Communion Songs
Blest Are They
Make Me A Channel of Your Peace
One Bread, One Body
On Eagles' Wings
Panis Angelicus
Ubi Caritas
We Have Been Told
You Are Mine
Others (Meditations/Preludes/Blessing /optionals)
Bist Du Bei Mir (Bach)
How Beautiful - Paris
Irish Blessing
Love Endures – Moore GIA
The Greatest Gift – Marchiaonda*
The Greatest of These is Love – Ridge
The Prayer*
The Lord's Prayer (Malotte)*
Walk with Them Lord – Besig*
Wonder of Wonders – Haas GIA
*The above-listed songs are suggestions only, and not considered to be exclusive or exhaustive.
Please call the parish office with your questions and for more information on being married at St. Aloysius Parish.
Updated October 26, 2017
By Fr. Clint, O.P.
Pastor