Readers Selection Question

buckeyesweetz

All,

I'm thinking that this may be something that may be obvious, but before calling my church and asking I thought I'd check on here first so that I don't sound completely stupid when I call and ask :-)

My wedding is at the end of May, and we have one more meeting with our priest and at that time we need to know who is doing readings, EMs, etc for sure. I have one friend that I'd really like to do one of the readings because church is a big part of her life, and I know that she would consider it an honor to be asked. The problem is that she is Lutheran. Do you all think it would be possible for her to do a reading during our mass or would this be a "job" that would strictly be reserved for only a catholic? I know some things vary from parish to parish, but I just thought I'd check to see what others may have experienced just in case I may be calling my church to ask about a big no-no or something.

Thanks!

CoCo'sMommy

I havent gotten that far yet, but im pretty sure anyone can do a reading. The friend I am going to ask is also luthern. let me know what you find out though..im curious.

ootmother2

I don't think there is a restriction on readers, or at least we didn't run into one.

Your priest would have final say though.

Calypso1977

some may want catholics, some might want at least christians, some might not care either way.

mica178

Our priest didn't put any restrictions on readers.  However, it was important to me that H and I chose only people who believed in what they read.  

SaraAndrew2010

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/cultural-wedding-boards_catholic-weddings_readers-selection-question?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Cultural%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:615Discussion:8386b13c-631f-42a2-9731-35a42cb7725fPost:aabcd00b-81fe-4f20-ade3-60cda8e37b99">Re: Readers Selection Question</a>:
[QUOTE]Our priest didn't put any restrictions on readers.  However, it was important to me that H and I chose only people who believed in what they read.  
Posted by mica178[/QUOTE]

This.

[Deleted User]

The readers do not have to be Catholic. However, they should believe in Jesus Christ since they will be reading from the Bible.

waitingformay

We asked our priest when thinking of readers. One of our readers is not Catholic but Christian. He said it was fine.

SaraAndrew2010

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/cultural-wedding-boards_catholic-weddings_readers-selection-question?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Cultural%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:615Discussion:8386b13c-631f-42a2-9731-35a42cb7725fPost:07ff7381-f851-423c-819f-89231861ec93">Re: Readers Selection Question</a>:
[QUOTE]The readers do not have to be Catholic. However, they should believe in Jesus Christ since they will be reading from the Bible.
Posted by MissySue20[/QUOTE]

The first reading is usually from the Old Testament/Hebrew Scriptures.  I've heard of couples having a Jewish friend do the first reading, but that would definitely be something to clear with the priest.

[Deleted User]

I would say that it will probably never even come up as a question with your preist, but I again am going to have to agree with Missy. I can't imagine having someone read something so important but they don't believe it.

wifeandmommy0609

I have this same question. the only Catholics is Fl's family so i was hoping we could have some one from my family read.

We meet with the church this thursday..

mcdol3

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/cultural-wedding-boards_catholic-weddings_readers-selection-question?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Cultural Wedding BoardsForum:615Discussion:8386b13c-631f-42a2-9731-35a42cb7725fPost:b437dc09-94c8-4291-bbf4-494a5ff9c994">Re: Readers Selection Question</a>:
[QUOTE]I have this same question. the only Catholics is Fl's family so i was hoping we could have some one from my family read. We meet with the church this thursday..
Posted by wifeandmommy0609[/QUOTE]

this is us as well.
I asked our priest and he said as long as they are comfortable reading in front of people it's ok that they aren't Catholic. Ask your church :)

[Deleted User]

Yeah, our priest told us that the readers did not need to be Catholic, but they needed to believe in what they were reading and believe in God. Both of our readers happened to be Catholic, so we didn't even have to worry about it.

buckeyesweetz

Thanks everyone! I do have others that are Catholic that I could ask, but I was hoping to include my friend somewhere if possible. She does bible study with her church so she definitely believes it. I will check with my church to be sure:-)

Karen's MOH

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/cultural-wedding-boards_catholic-weddings_readers-selection-question?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Cultural Wedding BoardsForum:615Discussion:8386b13c-631f-42a2-9731-35a42cb7725fPost:70879e52-c54b-4446-b7ef-c6b695040013">Re: Readers Selection Question</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: Readers Selection Question : The first reading is usually from the Old Testament/Hebrew Scriptures.  I've heard of couples having a Jewish friend do the first reading, but that would definitely be something to clear with the priest.
Posted by SaraAndrew2010[/QUOTE]

This is what I did. It actually never came up with our priest, nor did I even think to bring it up. I don't think you need to be particularly religious to believe in most wedding readings- ours really focused more on love and commitment than any specific Catholic teachings.

clearheavens

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/cultural-wedding-boards_catholic-weddings_readers-selection-question?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Cultural%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:615Discussion:8386b13c-631f-42a2-9731-35a42cb7725fPost:d63299dd-44c7-4b0b-8f2c-84ab87b899f7">Re: Readers Selection Question</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: Readers Selection Question : This is what I did. It actually never came up with our priest, nor did I even think to bring it up. <strong>I don't think you need to be particularly religious to believe in most wedding readings</strong>- ours really focused more on love and commitment than any specific Catholic teachings.
Posted by Karen's MOH[/QUOTE]

<div>I think what constitutes "belief in the readings" is that the person believes the authors of the Scriptures to be divinely inspired by God.  Each author has their own literary style (poem, ruse, etc.) and their purpose (praising, story-telling, etc.).  But it is God's Word in human words and every writing fulfils God's intention (see CCC #106, <a href="http://www.vatican.va/archive/ccc_css/archive/catechism/p1s1c2a3.htm" target="_blank">click here</a>).  This person would not pick and choose which passages he/she likes or which ones hold true.</div><div>
</div><div>To the OP, I'm sure the friend who's Lutheran will be ok.</div>

chrissyann02

Our information packet suggested that our readers be Catholic, Jewish, or of a Christian faith. FI & I choose members of our families to be readers... some are Catholic, Christian, or do not belong to any organized relgion (but do believe in God). It was a way for us to involve our family since we have such a small wedding party. When I provided my wedding coordinator with the names of the readers this past Saturday, she didn't ask what religion they belonged to. I figured I wouldn't bring it up unless they did, and that seemed to work out for us. I guess it just depends on how strict your church is.

lisab613

our priest (my uncle) said that for a wedding outside of Mass, readers should be Christian but didn't need to be Catholic. For a full Mass, he said the readers had to be Catholic. I don't know if that's a variable rule or what, but that's just what I was told. I was thinking of asking a Jewish person to do the first reading, which is why I asked him in the first place.

loislane906

I was a reader in FSIL's wedding which was a Catholic Mass and I am Lutheran. No problems!