Alternate First Readings

Karen's MOH · May 2010

I've left two messages for my priest but still haven't heard back, so I'm wondering people on here have any experience with alternate readings for the first reading.

Like many other brides on here, I don't like most of the Old Testament readings in Together for Life. I've come across two others that I like, but I'm wondering if the priest is likely to allow them (he has been very lenient so far and even will allow secular music--like, the Beatles, if we want). In particular, I'm looking at the Ecclesiastes, Two are Better than one, or Book or Ruth, Wherever you go, readings.

Anyone use these or get shut down by the priest? I'm still going to keep trying my priest, of course, but I'm getting antsy.

ring_pop · May 2010

I used the Ruth reading. My priest told me right from the beginning that he was OK with pretty much anything as long as it was in the bible.

I think the Ruth reading is actually listed at the back of the Together for Life book as a "suggested alternative" (just the reference, not the whole text).

[Deleted User] · May 2010

Well, we didn't even get one of those Together for Life books, so I couldn't tell you what is in there. You can pretty much choose any reading as long as it is in the Bible and one is from the Old Testament and one is from the New Testament.

As far as the music is concerned, we were not allowed any secular music. We were not even allowed the wedding march bc it is from a secular (Shakespeare) play. I would just ask to be sure. Some parishes are more lenient or liberal than others.

GulfCoaster · May 2010

I thought I recall that passage from the book of Ruth being one of the options listed in Together for Life (but maybe I'm wrong). And I know I've heard it at a Catholic wedding before. Anyway, you should be able to use any selection from the Old Testament for your first reading, so long as your priest approves it.

Karen's MOH · June 2010

OK good to know. I flipped through Together for Life again and didn't see it, but maybe some versions have more 'alternates' or something. I feel better now-- If MOST priests will allow something, I am SURE this one will. He's quite laid back.

Thanks everyone.

Theresa626 · June 2010

I went with the Ruth reading because I hated all the others too. My priest approved and it made me happy.

KatieJL121 · June 2010

I also went with the Ruth reading because I didn't like the others our church suggested, and I think the one from Ruth has a great meaning. Our priest was fine with it as long as it was from the Old Testament.

dc*prep · June 2010

Our first reading is Ecclesiastes 4:7-12.

preciosa4 · June 2010

We'll be using Ruth too... We can use anything so long as it's appropriate.

samurai21 · June 2010

We have a pretty laid back priest and the together for life book. He told us that pretty much anything from the bible could be used, and we could pick our own if we didn't like any in the book. His only thing was that he preferred if the readings weren't normally used for things like funerals, for obvious reasons.

mica178 · June 2010

Talk with your priest.

Mine told us that we could pick anything we wanted and that the readings listed in the wedding book were suggestions not requirements.

I love Ruth 1:16-17 too and will probably use it as my first reading.

bellashauntee · June 2010

I've chosen to use a reading for the song of songs, it's so beautiful and reads like Shakespeare.
A reading from the Song of Songs 2:8-10.14.16; 8:6-7
Love is strong as Death. I hear my Beloved.
See how he comes
leaping on the mountains,
bounding over the hills.
My Beloved is like a gazelle,
like a young stag.
See where he stands
behind our wall.
He looks in at the window,
he peers through the lattice.
My Beloved lifts up his voice,
he says to me,
'Come then, my love,
my lovely one, come.
My dove, hiding in the clefts of the rock.
In the coverts of the cliff,
show me your face,
let me hear your voice;
for your voice is sweet
and your face is beautiful.'
My beloved is mine and I am his.
Set me like a seal on your heart,
like a seal on your arm.
For love is strong as Death,
jealousy relentless as Sheol. The flash of it is a flash of fire,
a flame of the Lord himself.
Love no flood can quench,
no torrents drown.

agapecarrie · June 2010

Here is a song that uses the song of songs poetry

http://www.spiritandsong.com/compositions/51669

mbcdefg · June 2010

We asked to use Ecc 4:9-12 (the "two are better than one" reading) and our priest allowed it, even though it wasn't in the book.

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