how many readers do I have for a wedding mass?

geekGirl

hi there,

We are getting married in a Catholic ceremony in September. We are organizing the readings at the moment. I am just wondering how many readings are done by friends/family members. We would like to involve as many people as possible in the ceremony, so the more the better for us.

Also, does anybody know what other jobs in the ceremony are done by friends/family e.g. the giving of the gifts?

So far, my understanding of the readings is :
1. 1st reading
2. psalm (we're having that read rather than sang)
3. 2nd reading

I'm confused about prayers of the faithful?

thanks for your help!

GeekGirl

St._Andalou

Hi,

I'm no expert, but I've grown up Catholic so I'll give this my best shot.

First Reading: this is from the Old Testament. It normally tends to be the longest, so give it to someone close to you.

Responsorial Psalm: A psalm, followed by a response from the congregation.

Second Reading: From the New Testament.

(All of the above can be done by someone close to you.)

Gospel Reading: This is followed by the Gospel reading, which will come from one of the four Gospels. I think (but am not 100% sure) that the priest always does this.

Prayers of the Faithful: There are normally five or six Prayers of the Faithful which are read by your family/friends. I don't think there are any set guidelines, so it can vary. The prayers are usually short (three or four lines, max). They come later in the service, after the blessing of the rings. The priest will have some sample ones which you can use. I think you can even write your own. You may wish to remember loved ones who can't be with you, give thanks to those nearest to you, etc.

So that's 9 or 10 readers in total, depending on how many Prayers of the Faithful you choose to have.

Other jobs: bringing the gifts to the altar, ring bearers, flower girls, trainbearer to carry the train of your gown (if it has one) as you walk to the altar (usually a nice job for a young girl).

Best of luck with it all!

tufterween

What gifts are brought to the altar? Is this always done? How many gifts are there? What are they for?

(sorry for all the questions, I'm church of Ireland and am getting married in a Catholic church so I haven't much experience with this)

Toots

The "bread and wine" (communion hosts and altar wine and water) are brought to the altar. I'm not aware of other gifts being brought up, though. If you don't want to have the gifts brought to the altar, they can be placed there before the mass starts.

tufterween

Do you have to do the communion at a wedding ceremony?

Toots

AFAIK you don't, you can have the wedding incorporated into the full mass, which includes communion, or you can have just the wedding service.

I found some handy info on www.gettingmarried.ie, although I'd suspect a lot of it would be down to the priest who is marrying you.

hayser

Any wedding I have been to has had 2 people doing the readings (the response is included with these so you don't have someone else doing the responsorial psalm) and 4 people reading prayers of the faithful so you would have 6 readers altogether. You need 2 people to bring up the gifts (these people are usually the mothers pf the bride and groom, although they can be other people if you and your future husband / wife wish. The priest will be able to grow through all this with you. Make sure any readers have a copy of their readings or prayers a few days beforehand and that there are copies available in the church on the day in case anyone forgets their reading. Try and pick people who are confident when reading and that the passages aren't too long. Most importantly get the readers to sit on aisle seats and to walk up together (if they can sit near the altar all the better) and to bow slightly in front of the altar as this shows a mark of respect. Ideally if they can attend your wedding rehearsal it's better for all involved.

puss

hayser wrote: »

Any wedding I have been to has had 2 people doing the readings (the response is included with these so you don't have someone else doing the responsorial psalm) and 4 people reading prayers of the faithful so you would have 6 readers altogether. You need 2 people to bring up the gifts (these people are usually the mothers pf the bride and groom, although they can be other people if you and your future husband / wife wish. The priest will be able to grow through all this with you. Make sure any readers have a copy of their readings or prayers a few days beforehand and that there are copies available in the church on the day in case anyone forgets their reading. Try and pick people who are confident when reading and that the passages aren't too long. Most importantly get the readers to sit on aisle seats and to walk up together (if they can sit near the altar all the better) and to bow slightly in front of the altar as this shows a mark of respect. Ideally if they can attend your wedding rehearsal it's better for all involved.

+1 would agree with all this but I would add if you are having a reflection after communion you will need another reader for that. I think 4 people are enough for the prayers of the faithful with each one doing 2 prayers. I am sure the priest will fill you in on anything else you need to know before the wedding .

BC

We had 2 people doing readings (1st and 2nd) and 2 people doing prayers of the faithful. Have seen weddings where 5 or 6 people did prayers of the faithful (1 prayer each) but personally i think it looks silly with too many people going up on to the alter. Its a personal choice though, theres no rule.

Its usually the mothers who bring up the gifts.