Hey everyone,
I could swear that I'd read something like this on this board before, but I've searched and can't find it.
I am building my wedding website and would like to put a note out for non-Catholics as we're having the full Catholic Mass. I was thinking of putting something like, "While they will not be able to participate in communion, we would appreciate all non-Catholics participating as fully in our wedding ceremony as possible." The majority of our families are Catholic, but we have a few family members and some friends that are not.
I know that most non-Catholics will realize that they can't take communion. However, I would really like everyone to "do the Catholic dance" - sit, stand, kneel, stand, sit, etc;

join in the Rite of Marriage responses, etc. In particular, I have some Lutheran cousins that just sat there looking pissed at my aunt's wedding that they had to even be in a Catholic church a couple of weekends ago.
Am I being too hard on people? I don't know - I just want everyone to join in our special ceremony with us, and I don't know how to approach the issue.
Re: Note for Non-Catholic Attending Our Wedding
110 Invited
RSVP Deadline: 10.06.10
I'd try not to spell out "non-Catholics" because it's not necessary and it may make them feel singled-out. Plus, there are some that may be "Catholic" that would also benefit from the information you provide.
As for the sitting/kneeling/standing...from all the weddings I've been to, most people will just follow the crowd. I highly doubt there will be a lot of people sitting when everyone else is standing or vice versa.
you really cannot force people to participate in your ceremony/mass, particularly if they may feel uncomfortable worshipping/praying in a church that is not of their denomination. so you can welcome folks to join and provide the appropriate literature, etc. but you cant get upset if someone doesnt kneel or say prayers as it might go against their individual beliefs.
[QUOTE]I think the best way of helping people feel comfortable participating in the ceremony is to have a very detailed program, where they can follow along with all the prayers and responses, and insert little reminders in italics (The people stand. The people kneel, etc.)
Posted by Tuneful_Bride[/QUOTE]
Ditto. I don't think you need to single out non-Catholics... Just put together a very detailed program, with every response, the music, and notes about when to stand or kneel. I did this, and I was amazed at how many people sang. (I probably shouldn't have been surprised, though -- I had a bunch of evangelical Protestants in attendance who love active participation at church. <img src="http://cdn.cl9.vanillaforums.com/downloaded/ver1.0/content/scripts/tinymce/plugins/emotions/images/smiley-smile.gif" border="0" alt="Smile" title="Smile" />)
I will definitely ask our priest to direct everyone as when to sit, stand, kneel, etc. I will also try to make those programs as detailed as possible. Dang, those things might be a mile long, but too bad! Bella, your suggestion about the blessing was smart too! That's what I used to do before my first Communion!
Thanks again everyone. You've been so helpful!