Weddings at St. Elizabeth Seton

For Catholics, sacraments are signs founded in Christ that give us life. Mat-rimony is a sacrament whose signs are love, covenant, and life together. In none of the seven sacraments in the Catholic Church is the sign more physi-cally imposing than in matrimony, since love, contract and life together have the human body as the place where the sacrament is celebrated.

Man and woman, bride and groom, husband and wife are the celebrants of this sacrament in a rite that only begins the day marriage vows are pro-nounced. The celebration of the sacrament lasts until death, and even then, surely, is only interrupted to endure forever in life after life, if there has been love between husband and wife.

This idealistic profile of marriage has to be presented to you and accepted as the condition of the value of your marriage vows, irrespective of what-ever “everyone else is doing.” It will take some effort to cope with the brainwashing done in contemporary society in the name of liberation and fulfi llment of the individual person. To prepare for marriage, you must come to terms with certain fundamental Catholic teachings. The human body is the place where salvation does or does not happen; it is, therefore, to be enjoyed, but also respected, in every act, sexual or other. Continuity of the family is an essential feature of the marriage commitment, not an option. Preparation of an elaborate marriage reception is no more the most important part of the celebration than is risk-free abundance of material possessions the most signifi cant guarantee of a happy life together.

The requirements for preparation of a Catholic marriage ceremony are straightforward means to assure legalities and to temper the haste of the impetuous. May God reward you for your cooperation with the clergy of St. Elizabeth Seton Parish as we prepare with you this sacred and most happy moment of your life.

The music at your wedding has the power to encourage or stifle the participation of the Assembly. The norm in the Roman Catholic Liturgy is participatory music; that is, the majority of music during the Liturgy should be sung by the entire Assembly. A little planning and some thoughtful choices can make your wedding a more meaningful and joyous occasion for everyone present. Music should be carefully chosen and should be suitable to the religious nature of the celebration. The text or lyric of a song is as important as the quality of the music. Just because a song is "sacred" doesn't mean it is liturgically appropriate at a particular point in the Mass or ceremony.

You can download document containing suggested appropriate music for this sacred occasion. If you are having a Mass, you may want to consider music for the congregation to sing.

Suggested Music |  Diocese of Bridgeport Marriage Planning Guide