Wednesday Liturgy: Follow-up: Weddings in Lent
ROME, APRIL 13, 2010 (Zenit.org).- Answered by Legionary of Christ Father Edward McNamara, professor of liturgy at the Regina Apostolorum university.
Related to our reply about weddings in Lent (see March 23) was a question from a Michigan deacon: "Can a deacon witness the vows of two Catholics during the Rite for Celebrating Marriage during Mass? I was told that the rite would be valid but not licit. I have not found this addressed within the rite itself. Also, what about the nuptial blessing?"
Although this question has not been publicly addressed by the Holy See, I am aware of a 2007 official private reply on precisely this matter issued by the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Sacraments.
In its reply, the congregation suggests the following canonical principles. First of all, the Code of Canon Law entrusts the pastor with the preeminent responsibility for the spiritual life of the parish and, by virtue of his office, the faculty to assist at marriages in his parish (canons 528.2, 530.4, 1108.1). Deacons, on the other hand, assist at marriages (provided that both parties are Latin rite) only by virtue of a delegation granted by the bishop or pastor.
Passing from the canonical argument to the liturgical, the Vatican congregation states that a change of presider in the course of the same celebration is not admissible. Hence, neither a deacon (whether permanent or transitional) nor a priest other than the principal celebrant can preside over a wedding liturgy.
The letter says that it is not correct to deprive the couple of a Nuptial Mass solely for the purpose of allowing a particular deacon to preside over the wedding.
The document then explains why apparent exceptions do not detract from the rule of no change in presiding celebrant. These apparent exceptions -- such as a non-concelebrating bishop who presides over some moments of the Mass, or the newly ordained bishop who becomes the principal celebrant -- arise from the nature of the bishop's ministry.
The letter thus concludes that the priest who celebrates the Mass must be the one to preach, receive the vows and impart the nuptial blessing. At the discretion of the pastor, the deacon may preach the homily.
Admittedly, this letter is official but, as a private missive, has no force of law. It does, however, reflect the congregation's thinking and is based on sound canonical and liturgical reasoning.
It does not address all possible issues and human circumstances, for example, when adult children of permanent deacons desire to be married by their father. In such exceptional cases, perhaps it would be possible to have the deacon preside the rite of a wedding outside of Mass followed immediately by a Mass of thanksgiving with the pastor.
Related to our reply about weddings in Lent (see March 23) was a question from a Michigan deacon: "Can a deacon witness the vows of two Catholics during the Rite for Celebrating Marriage during Mass? I was told that the rite would be valid but not licit. I have not found this addressed within the rite itself. Also, what about the nuptial blessing?"
Although this question has not been publicly addressed by the Holy See, I am aware of a 2007 official private reply on precisely this matter issued by the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Sacraments.
In its reply, the congregation suggests the following canonical principles. First of all, the Code of Canon Law entrusts the pastor with the preeminent responsibility for the spiritual life of the parish and, by virtue of his office, the faculty to assist at marriages in his parish (canons 528.2, 530.4, 1108.1). Deacons, on the other hand, assist at marriages (provided that both parties are Latin rite) only by virtue of a delegation granted by the bishop or pastor.
Passing from the canonical argument to the liturgical, the Vatican congregation states that a change of presider in the course of the same celebration is not admissible. Hence, neither a deacon (whether permanent or transitional) nor a priest other than the principal celebrant can preside over a wedding liturgy.
The letter says that it is not correct to deprive the couple of a Nuptial Mass solely for the purpose of allowing a particular deacon to preside over the wedding.
The document then explains why apparent exceptions do not detract from the rule of no change in presiding celebrant. These apparent exceptions -- such as a non-concelebrating bishop who presides over some moments of the Mass, or the newly ordained bishop who becomes the principal celebrant -- arise from the nature of the bishop's ministry.
The letter thus concludes that the priest who celebrates the Mass must be the one to preach, receive the vows and impart the nuptial blessing. At the discretion of the pastor, the deacon may preach the homily.
Admittedly, this letter is official but, as a private missive, has no force of law. It does, however, reflect the congregation's thinking and is based on sound canonical and liturgical reasoning.
It does not address all possible issues and human circumstances, for example, when adult children of permanent deacons desire to be married by their father. In such exceptional cases, perhaps it would be possible to have the deacon preside the rite of a wedding outside of Mass followed immediately by a Mass of thanksgiving with the pastor.
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12:31 PM
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