Marriages in Advent, Lent

It has been the Catholic tradition in the past not to celebrate marriages in Advent and Lent. According to the Roman Ritual – The Rite of Marriage revised by decree of the Second Vatican Ecumenical Council and published by authority of Pope Paul VI, marriages can be celebrated during Advent and Lent.

“When a marriage is celebrated during Advent or Lent or other days of penance, the parish priest should advise the couple to take into consideration the special nature of these times.” (Introduction: Rite of Marriage no.11)

The General Instructions of the Roman Missal lists days when the celebration of marriage is not permitted.

372. Ritual Masses are connected to the celebration of certain Sacraments or Sacramentals. They are prohibited on Sundays of Advent, Lent, and Easter, on solemnities, on the days within the Octave of Easter, on the Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed (All Souls’ Day), on Ash Wednesday, and during Holy Week, taking due account of the norms given in the ritual books or in the Masses themselves. (General Instructions of the Roman Missal)

Outdoor Marriages (Hotels)

I observe a trend today whereby couples request to celebrate their marriage outdoors or in a hotel. How do we respond to this?

Canon law states that the normal setting for a Catholic wedding is the parish church; however, it also makes clear that the local bishop can allow a wedding “to be celebrated in another suitable place” (1118).

Pope Francis I in ‘Amores Laetitia: Joy of Love, speaking on the complex types of marriages, states: ‘You meet people where they are; you accompany them.’ Pope Francis calls for pastoral accompaniment and sensitivity.

The request for outdoor marriages or in hotels requires pastoral sensitivity. A blunt NO can be the cause of the couple leaving the Church. On the other hand, marriage preparation and celebration are good opportunities for evangelization. The couple should be firmly encouraged to participate in the marriage preparation. We piloted a very good Marriage Preparation Program last year. We will advertise the dates for the marriage preparations for 2019. Preparing a good marriage homily to the diverse people that normally attend weddings is another good opportunity for evangelization.

Where is the sanctity of marriage? It’s in the couple’s life-long spousal relationship. The sanctity of marriage is symbolized in the ‘giving of the couple’s consent’ during the marriage ritual. This should be the focus of pastoral accompaniment of marriages.