Readers

jenferian

We don't meet with the priest until March for our May wedding to discuss the ceremony; so I can tag readers now, can anyone tell me how many readers you generally have?

Can a bridesmaid be a reader, too, or is that not practiced?

Also, my father was a Catholic who became an Anglican when he divorced; regardless, I always loved it when he was a reader during services (when he was a practicing Catholic). Can he still be a reader, despite not longer being a practicing Catholic?

Thanks!

agapecarrie

Some parishes have requirements about those ministering at liturgies being practicing Catholics in good standing. It might be an additional scandalous position to have a person who is publicly outside of the church in a ministering role. This one is definitely for the parish to answer.

I've seen bridesmaids read before, but again, could be a priest/parish rule.

You need an old testement reader, new testement reader, and one for the intercessions.

One person can do all 3 or 2 of 3. 

bibliophile2010

FWIW, all of our readers were also in the WP.

professorscience

It definitely varies from parish to parish.  My dad (who no longer identifies as Catholic) did our NT reading and it was fine, but other ladies here have said their readers all had to be Catholic.

It does help if the people reading understand why they are doing it and believe in it.  You wouldn't necessarily want someone who isn't Catholic reading from Tobit, for example.

jenferian

Thank you, Ladies! I will check with my pastor. My fiance's aunt is going to be my confirmation sponsor (I'm a cradle Catholic, but neglected confirmation as a teen) and I'm thinking she'd be an EXCELLENT choice, along with two of my confirmed Catholic married friends.

Dad will have enough part in giving me away :-)

getaclue44

We used three readers, but it could have been four--first reading, responsorial psalm, 2nd reading, and prayers of the faithful.  We double dipped and had my dad to the response and the 2nd reading.

My priest wasn't overly particular about who did the readings, but I was.  We chose people who were Catholics in good standing becuase to me it would seem wrong to have non-Catholics doing it....that was just my personal preference.  

agapecarrie

Generally the psalm is supposed to be sung. 

getaclue44

The psalm can be sung, but since we opted for no soloist we just had it read. Msgr. told us it was our choice.