Home   |   About us  |   Contact us  |  Site Map 
      
 
Home    More at HamariShaadi   |   Advertise with us   |   Astrology   |   Shop    |    Membership Plans   |   Quick Search
Please Login � 

Search Profile By ID
 
Marriage Rituals
Hindu Marriage Muslim Marriage Sikh Marriage Catholic Marriage Jain Marriage Parsi Marriage Bihari Marriage Kashmiri Marriage Bengali Marriage Gujarati Marriage  
Articles Index 
Reasons To Marry Whom To Marry 6 A's Mantra Happy Married Life Virtual GrandMa Gals D'nt Say Prepare To Marry First Meeting Marriage Rituals  

Rituals Of Catholic Marriage

 

In Catholic marriage there are a series of pre-wedding, wedding and post-wedding rituals that are joyfully carried out. Catholics choose a Mass with the wedding to give an extra blessing to their marriage.




The Engagement Party
Engagement party is usually hosted by parents of bride. The bride and the groom exchange engagement rings blessed by the parish priest. The ceremony over, there is a small celebration in the form of a formal dinner or cocktail party. It only indicates the beginning of a period during which the boy and girl get to know each other.

Attending a preparatory course
It is compulsory for the prospective bride and groom to attend a Marriage Preparatory Course. It can be a one-day and a three-day course depends upon their choice. They must also fill in a form declaring details of their lives and take an oath on the Holy Bible that they didn't hide any information and that they are aware of the duties within a Christian marriage. Besides, they must also produce their baptism certificates. For three consecutive Sundays in the church, the priest declares the decision of the boy and girl to marry. In case one of the parties has hidden or misrepresented some information, anyone can let it be made public during this period. The couple may marry only after the end of the three-week period.

Bridal shower
The Bridal Shower ceremony is to be performed by the bride's family. This is given as a token of appreciation for all the bridesmaids.. It is a festive occasion and games are played at this all-girls party. Often, the friends contribute and shower gifts upon the bride. During this ceremony, the bride gives gifts to the bridesmaids and serves a pink cake with a thimble hidden inside. Legend goes that the girl, who gets the piece of cake with the thimble, will be the next to marry.

Bachelor's party
Bachelor's party is hosted by the bridegroom friends on the eve of his wedding. The groom is expected to enjoy his last night as a bachelor. A toast is raised before drinking as a custom

Welcoming the bride
On the day of the wedding, the bridegroom reaches the church first and sends a car to pick up the girl .He waits for her outside the Church. When the bride arrives, the Best Man greets her with a kiss on either cheek and her wedding bouquet

In The Church
The couple walks down the aisle slowly but gracefully where priest welcome them and offers them his good wishes The wedding mass begins with hymns and selected readings from the Bible. The priest delivers the Homily, an interesting lecture with an emphasis on the sanctity of marriage.
The nuptial rites take place in front of at least two witnesses. During this rite, the priest asks a few questions pertaining to their consent for the marriage, which both of them have to answer honestly.
Under the priest guidance ,the couple join their right hands and declare their intention to take each other as man and wife before God and His Church. The priest blesses them and tells them that "What God has joined, man must not divide".
The priest blesses the joined hands with the Holy Water and also the rings so that the couple that wears them will have deep faith in each otherThe bride and groom exchange rings with a promise of unconditional love and fidelity.
The couple and their close relatives come up to the lectern (podium) and read previously selected passages from the Bible. The priest prays for the couple. The bride and groom offer a thanksgiving prayer to God and ask for His blessings. The priest concludes the ceremony with a final blessing followed by prayer. The priest and the couple sign the Church register that serves as a valid legal document of marriage. A copy of this document is sent to the Registrar of Marriages.

The Reception
A reception is held to celebrate the wedding. Friends, relatives and colleagues are invited to a grand feast.The newly-weds cut the wedding cake and feed each a bite of the first slice. The bride and groom get the evening going with their 'first dance'. And they are later joined by bride's and grooms's parents and by ther other guests Soon the guests join the dancing and spend the rest of the evening in keeping time with the music. The couple mingles with the guests, dance some more and say their grace before beginning dinner. After dinner is over, the couple leaves the reception. At this juncture the bride must throw her posy of flowers behind her. The girl who catches it will be the first to marry, according to popular belief.







Back To Top


 
 
 

Untitled Document
Home  |  About us  |   Contact us  |  Tools  |   Membership  |   Franchise  |  Terms & Conditions  |  Privacy Policy  |  Disclaimer  |  Site Map
HDFC Bank Ltd   Mastercard   Mastercard Secure   Visa Verified   Visa Card 
All Rights Reserved.

Copyright © 2007 : HamariShaadi.com™