Community› Cultural Wedding Boards› Catholic Weddings
Catholic Weddings
New Discussion

is converting required for mass wedding?

jnnslssrjnnslssr member
First Comment
in Catholic Weddings
I was baptized Luthern..FI is catholic and wants a mass wedding. We both are under the impression I have to convert to have this. Does anyone know the church rules? I do not regularly attend church, but have attended his and enjoy it, however, converting seems timely and I'm not sure it's realy something I want to do. It's important to FI that we have a mass...Need some advice. Thanks
Report Reply to Post

Re: is converting required for mass wedding?

  • meltoinemeltoine member
    First Anniversary First Answer First Comment
    edited December 2011
    There is no hard and fast rule about both partners needing to be Catholic to have a mass. It's up to the individual priest to make the determination. Most won't do the full mass because your wedding is supposed to be a sign of your unity, but only one of you is participating in the Eucharist. Also, keep in mind that about half o the guests (you family) may be uncomfortable with the mass. 
    Lilypie Maternity tickers
    Lilypie Second Birthday tickers
    Report Reply
  • Theresa626Theresa626 member
    First Comment
    edited December 2011
    I've heard that they will not do a mass unless both members are Catholic.  However, you can have a service that is very similar to a mass.  There just wouldn't be the Eucharist (communion).  I also disagree that a lot of members of your family would be uncomfortable with a mass.  You know your family best but I would never assume when going to a wedding that the wedding service had to be a religion I already know or am familiar with.  I think people in general would not mind if you had a service for a religion they are unfamiliar with. 
    Vendor Reviews and For Sale
    Report Reply
  • ChiBride82ChiBride82
    First Comment
    edited December 2011
    When I meet with my preist I wanted to have a Nuptial Mass and was told that becuase my FI wasn't baptized in any faith that this was not an option. After doing my homework I just recently I have found out that if one member is Catholic they have a right to have Nuptial mass regardless of what the faith the other has, it is my right as a catholic to have a Nuptial Mass.  Most would suggest not having one but it depends on personally perference and how important it is to the Catholic member. 
    Report Reply
  • jnnslssrjnnslssr member
    First Comment
    edited December 2011
    Thank you all for your help. We decided today best is to contact the priest first, so most things I read on line say it's the best thing to do.
    Report Reply
  • agapecarrieagapecarrie member
    First Anniversary 5 Love Its Combo Breaker First Comment
    edited December 2011
    It depends on whether the future spouse is baptized or not.

    A Catholic marrying a baptized non-Catholic may have a mass if desired. A Catholic marrying a non-baptized person may NOT have a mass.
    Report Reply
  • Calypso1977Calypso1977 member
    First Anniversary 5 Love Its First Answer Combo Breaker
    edited December 2011
    only one person has to be Catholic in order to have Mass.

    Some will say you shouldn't have Mass because folks will feel "left out" if they cannot receive.  i personally have never understood this.   I have never felt left out at weddings of other faiths, and as a Catholic i am not allowed to receive communion at those services either (because of my faith).  its abotu having respect for the wishes of the couple getting married, and if the couple decides together to have a catholic wedding with Mass, tehn people need to grow up and accept it.  Communion lasts 10 minutes, and folks can go up for a blessing even if tehy cannot receive the host.

    If the Mass is important to your FI, in my opinion, you really should not deny  him the Mass. 
    Report Reply
  • cukimerrydollcukimerrydoll member
    First Comment
    edited December 2011
    In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/cultural-wedding-boards_catholic-weddings_converting-required-mass-wedding?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Cultural%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:615Discussion:4345c090-1759-464e-afed-24922dcf738aPost:e6f54ce6-e8f9-4f01-9b6b-24effe14c2fb">Re: is converting required for mass wedding?</a>:
    [QUOTE]It depends on whether the future spouse is baptized or not. A Catholic marrying a baptized non-Catholic may have a mass if desired. A Catholic marrying a non-baptized person may NOT have a mass.
    Posted by agapecarrie[/QUOTE]
    This.

    But if the priest isn't comfortable with it, they do get the final decision.  I'm Catholic, he's not.  And ours is cool with it.
    Report Reply
  • berrytrberrytr
    First Comment
    edited December 2011
    I am Catholic and my FI is baptist.  The only requirement we had was that he had to produce proof that he had been baptized.  That's it. 
    Report Reply
This discussion has been closed.
Choose Another Board
Search Boards