I am catholic marrying a methodist in October. We are having a mass without communion. What is the order of the ceremony, so I can create my wedding program accurately?

-- Christen Fischl (cfischl77@yahoo.com), September 19, 2002

Answers

Hello, Christen.

There really is no such thing as a "mass without communion." Every Mass has a Liturgy of the Word and a Liturgy of the Eucharist, wherein the sacrifice of Calvary is renewed and people receive the Body and Blood of our Lord.

Maybe you are thinking of a celebration of the sacrament of Marriage ouside of Mass -- i.e., a ceremony that includes scriptural readings, a homily, and the taking of vows? I'm sorry that I don't know the exact "order of service" for such a ceremony. I have attended only one of those. If no one else here has the order for you, why not discuss it with your pastor? You have to meet with him anyway, for Marriage preparation talks, right? If not, you could even do it over the phone or by e-mail.

God bless you.
John

-- J. F. Gecik (jfgecik@hotmail.com), September 20, 2002.

Hi Christen,

John is right, it is not a Mass without the Eucharist. My own marriage ceremony was a celebration of the sacrament outside the Mass, and it was pretty much what John described. Follow his advice and consult with the pastor. If the wedding is in October, I'm suprised that the pastor has not met with you yet to discuss this. Please contact him as soon as possible.

cksunshine

-- cksunshine (ck_sunshine@hotmail.com), September 20, 2002.