We have a date and I am still clueless

gjlader

Hello all!

My husband and I have one more meeting with our priest (next week) and he set our convalidation date for March 9th after the 5:30PM mass.

I have looked online and I am really unsure about what actually happens (what is required) during a convalidation ceremony.  Can anyone help me with a basic outline of what happens?

My husband's mother and brother will be there, and maybe a few of our closest Catholic friends.  Do we have to have music?  Are there required readings for which I need to find readers?

Thanks for any help you can provide! 

Riss91

It will be the same as the Rite of Marriage. I believe you can have it within mass or outside of mass. You can have readings and music, but you aren't required.

itzMS

Congratulations!

As far as I know, it is around 10 minutes long and the priest will use the Rite of Marriage.

You may or may not exchange rings, the priest may bless them instead. I've seen both done.

There aren't typically readings or processionals, etc.

professorscience

If you haven't gotten one, ask for a copy of "Together for Life."  It has the order of the mass for you to get an idea of what's going to happen.

Otherwise, you can see an order of the ceremony at catholicweddinghelp.com.

And congratulations!  I will add you to the 2013 list!

agapecarrie

It sounds like the priest is intending this to be the simple rite of marriage, without a liturgy of the word, especially because its happening after a mass.  In this case, there won't be a procession, music, or anything like that. You'll gather near the altar with your witnesses, he'll ask your intentions, have you do the vows and rings. Maybe an Our Father might be tacked on.

If you wanted to do something more like have an actual wedding liturgy with music, talk to the priest about that. 

Ajuliana

My brother had the ceremony in June.  We did it on a Friday afternoon, the brides father escorted her down the aisle again, and they did their vows one more time, with my younger sisters sharing a few readings.  

It was tops fifteen people, and it was really beautiful.  Short and sweet, and very meaningful for our immediate family to see their marriage blessed in the Church.

Congratulations, and enjoy the ceremony.  Don't forget pictures!

Calypso1977

my sisters was very simple - just the two of them and their four children.  it took place after the december 8th mass the year it was done, which i thought was really nice.  from what she told me it wasnt more than 10 or 15 minutes.  she said the funniest part was when they came to the part abotu whether would be open and accepting of children - she said tehy both looked back at the four kids, and then at the priest and everyone kind of chuckled since obviously they were!

gjlader

Thank you for all the help! 

gjlader

One question:

I am wearing a cream colored dress (looks mor business than party).  I found some fabulous red patent pumps I love, but my sister-in-law said red was considered to be bad luck?

My accessories at my civil wedding were red.

lalaith50

No, red is not bad luck. There is no such thing as "bad luck" for a Catholic who believes that Jesus Christ conquered sin and evil.

Calypso1977

my mom always had a problem with red at weddings but i dont know if that was something in her mind equating it to the devil or if it was a frowned upon color at catholic weddings.

i personally wouldnt wear red but that's just me, and i dont know if its just me  because of my mom or me because of me.  lol