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Gathering Hymn?

SaraAndrew2010SaraAndrew2010 member
1000 Comments
in Catholic Weddings

Are you having a gathering hymn after the procession?

My church says it is optional to sing a gathering hymn after the procession.  I think it would be nice to get everyone singing at the beginning of the mass, but wasn't sure if it was common to do so.  I guess my main concern is will it seem like needlessly dragging out the ceremony (we are having a mass) and will people actually join in the singing (our families are Catholic but not all of them attend church regularly and many of our friends aren't Catholic)?

I'd love to hear which way people chose and why.

TIA!

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Re: Gathering Hymn?

  • MissAngelMissAngel member
    Knottie Warrior 1000 Comments
    edited December 2011
    The church I volunteer at... Doesn't require an opening hymn, but if the priest is the one doing the ceremony, he will randomly break out in song and start the opening hymn.  So some choose to do one, since he will sing it regardless of whether or not it is in the program.  Some brides will put the music in the program and the church did sing along (this particular one was a one-side only Catholic wedding).  It was nice and had an official start to the mass.  I'm considering doing one as well... even though I'm getting married at a different church.
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  • GulfCoasterGulfCoaster
    100 Comments
    edited December 2011
    We used a hymn as the processional., actually.  (O, the Deep Deep Love of Jesus)  The organist played it through once with only organ, and then did it a second time with vocals.  We put the music in the program, and some people did sing along.  It was really nice.
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  • Theresa626Theresa626 member
    1000 Comments
    edited December 2011
    I've never seen this done at weddings and honestly, when I go to mass and everyone there is a practicing Catholic, 75% of them aren't singing at all. They just stand there or they sing super soft. At a wedding, even less than that would probably sing.  Also, the marriage ceremony adds on to the length of the mass and the gathering hymn would make it longer. I would say if you have a song that you absolutely adore that you want your singer to sing then have one. If you just want to get people singing, it's a futile attempt and don't do it. They don't even sing at regular mass. 
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  • GulfCoasterGulfCoaster
    100 Comments
    edited December 2011
    In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/cultural-wedding-boards_catholic-weddings_gathering-hymn?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Cultural Wedding BoardsForum:615Discussion:49e42a58-bce6-4a97-a06f-da80dd2d580aPost:1a074f70-3f08-4e5f-ae34-028120de2fe2">Re: Gathering Hymn?</a>:
    [QUOTE]They don't even sing at regular mass. 
    Posted by Theresa626[/QUOTE]

    It depends on the parish, though.  My parish sings!  Well, 75% of the congregation does, anyway.  It's always sort of a little jarring to me when I visit other parishes and most of the congregation is not singing....
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  • berrytrberrytr
    500 Comments
    edited December 2011
    We're also using the gathering hymn as the processional.  This is standard at the parish I attend.  We're using a hymn from the Lead Me, Guide Me Hymnal entitled Holy, Holy, Holy.
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  • berrytrberrytr
    500 Comments
    edited December 2011
    BTW, I cose this hymn b/c it's one of my mom's favorites.  It's how I chose to honor her memory.
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