Catholic FAQ
Question
What can I expect at the ceremony?
Answer
All guests will receive a printed program to follow along during the ceremony, which will take the form of a Roman Catholic Mass (about 1 hour). In the first half, we will hear scripture readings and a sermon from Father Paolo - followed by Cassie and Alex exchanging their vows! In the second half, we will worship the true presence of Christ in the Eucharist (the bread and wine that turns into His body and blood). At different points during the Mass, we will sit, stand, and kneel - just go with the flow!
Question
Can I receive communion at the wedding Mass?
Answer
The Catechism of the Catholic Church describes the Eucharist as the "source and summit of the Christian life" (CCC 1324). In the Catholic tradition, the Body and Blood of Jesus become truly present in the appearance of bread and wine. Because Holy Communion is an expression of unity with our faith, one must meet the following criteria in order to receive: 1.) Be a baptized Catholic who has made their First Communion 2.) Be in a "state of grace" - meaning you have the grace of God in your soul, free from serious sin. If you're not sure about this, we encourage you to consult the Cathechism of the Catholic Church or speak with a priest. We also encourage everyone to go to confession before the wedding!
Question
Where/How can I go to confession?
Answer
The church we're getting married at will offer confession the day before the wedding. There are two available confession times on Thursdays - 11:15 to 11:50 AM, and 5:00 to 5:50 PM. If neither of those times work for you, we recommend visiting MassTimes.org to find a convenient confession time near you. You can also simply ask a priest to hear your confession if you run into one - it's literally their job! :)