Roman Rite Nuptial Mass at the High Altar

Overview

As normal for Roman Rite Solemn Mass at the High Altar, except:

• Celebrant, Concelebrants, and Deacon all sit at the Sedilia.
• All Servers have seats in the Presbytery, and never sit in the Choir Stalls.
• #Rite of Marriage
• Extra tasks for the Book Bearer.
• #Procession and #Recession are different.

Roles

• Crucifer, Book Bearer, Bell Ringer, Wedding Crucifix Bearer
• Thurifer, Holy Water Bearer
• Acolyte 1, Lucifer 1
• Acolyte 2, Lucifer 2

Preparation

As normal for Roman Rite Solemn Mass at the High Altar, except:

• Passageway:
  • Crossing Altar with its Crossing Altar#Candles and Crossing Altar#Crucifix, and microphone.
  • Aspersorium on polychrome stand
  • Wedding Crucifix, if used.
• Friars' Chapel:
  • Celebrant's and Deacons' chairs from the Sanctuary.
• Sanctuary:
  • Large kneeler in Sanctuary between Choir Stalls facing High Altar, front of kneeler flush with East edge of Choir Stalls.
  • Two low stools behind kneeler.
  • Standing microphone set off to the side.
• Presbytery:
  • Four low seats for Altar Servers West of the Sedilia. The Deacon's chairs may need to be used.
  • Hand Bells under Bell Ringer's seat.
• High Altar:
  • High Altar#Angel Candles lit.
• Rosary Altar:
  • Four altar candles lit.
  • Gate open, cushion set aside.

Order of Mass

As Roman Rite Solemn Mass at the High Altar, with changes outlined in the following subsections. The Servers sit in seats in the Sanctuary, instead of the Choir Stalls.

Procession

Procession#Long Cloister Walk Procession to High Altar, except:

• The groomsmen will process between the Servers and the Ministers. The groom is a Minister and processes last.
• Bridesmaids and bride join the Procession at the main aisle.
• The Servers must process around the kneeler to get the the foot of the Presbytery, where they reverence and break formation as normal.
• The Thurifer should not wait for an entrance antiphon, he should reverence and break formation immediately.

Officium through Homily

• Book Bearer holds the Ritual for the Celebrant at the Sedilia immediately after the first incensation for the opening prayers.
• The Penitential Act is omitted.
• The Gloria is sung.
• Gospel Procession:
  • Celebrant Imposes Incense at the Sedilia. Gospel procession uses the usual route, but must go around the couple. Candle bearers split the couple, Thurifer goes to their right.

Rite of Marriage

If no Wedding Crucifix is used, the Wedding Crucifix Bearer's actions are omitted.

Immediately after the Homily, as the Celebrant is returning to the Presbytery:

• Wedding Crucifix Bearer and Holy Water Bearer move to the Friars' Chapel.
• Holy Water Bearer and Wedding Crucifix Bearer ready the Wedding Crucifix and Aspersorium.

Celebrant will enter the Presbytery and go to his chair and sit for a moment. He then meets the couple in their spot in the Sanctuary, holding the Ritual for himself.

Questions & Consent

If no Wedding Crucifix is used, this is omitted.

Cue: Since it is your intention:

• Wedding Crucifix Bearer brings the Wedding Crucifix to the couple, hands it to them, and returns to Passageway. No reverence.

Blessing & Exchange of Rings

If no Wedding Crucifix is used, only the Holy Water Bearer acts.

Cue: Let us bless the Lord Thanks be to God:

• Wedding Crucifix Bearer and Holy Water Bearer approach in a pair. Holy Water Bearer with Aspersorium. No reverence.
• Wedding Crucifix Bearer receives the Wedding Crucifix, and returns to Passageway immediately making no reverence. Holy Water Bearer stands by.
• The Celebrant blesses the rings and sprinkles them. When he returns the Aspergillium, Holy Water Bearer returns to Passageway immediately, making no reverence.

All Servers standby in the Friars' Chapel until the #Offertory begins.

Universal Prayer

The Credo is omitted.

Offertory

• There will be an extra Personal Chalice from which the Bride and Groom will receive the Precious Blood.
• The Thurifer should incense the Bride and Groom after the Celebrant (and Concelebrants) and before the People. He may need to instruct them to rise.

Preface

Servers stand at their seats in the Presbytery, facing the High Altar.

Sanctus through Great Amen

As normal for Roman Rite Solemn Mass at the High Altar, except Bell Ringer kneels at his seat in the Presbytery with the Hand Bells, instead of the Choir Stalls.

Communion

Our Father

After the Our Father, the Nuptial Blessing takes the place of the "Deliver us" prayer.

Cue: Celebrant descends the High Altar:

• Book Bearer meets the Celebrant at the couple's place and holds the Ritual for the him as he gives the Nuptial Blessing.
  • Book Bearer should follow along so he can turn the pages for the celebrant.
• When finished, he returns the Ritual and goes back to his seat.

Agnus Dei

As usual.

Couple's Communion

The Bride and Groom receive first, from the extra Chalice. Standby. Servers don't receive right away so that they're not in the background of the photos.

Servers' Communion

• Cue: Bride and Groom have received and Celebrant is distributing Communion to the Wedding Party.
• Receive on the top step of the Presbytery in a line.

Peoples' Communion

Standby kneeling at seats.

Couple give flowers to Mary

The couple will leave a bouquet at the Rosary Altar. Standby. The #Ablutions likely won't start until the couple returns, but pay attention to the Celebrant, and be ready when he needs you.

Ablutions

As normal. Acolytes must remember to take both Chalices.

Postcommunion Prayer

Book Bearer bears the Missal at the Sedilia.

Final Blessing and Dismissal

Celebrant will give the final blessing on the Presbytery steps in front of the Bride and Groom:

• Book Bearer bears Ritual.
• Other Servers standby.

Recession

• All Servers head to Friars' Chapel to pick up their items.
• Form up in Sanctuary at the foot of the Presbytery, Ministers will form up in the Presbytery.
• Reverence with the Ministers
• Crucifer turns the formation and exits through the Passageway.

If there is a Deacon

If there is a Deacon:

• Deacon holds the Ritual for the Nuptial Blessing after the #Our Father (instead of the Book Bearer).
• Book Bearer still holds the Ritual for the #Final Blessing and Dismissal.

Adjustments for fewer servers

If there are only three Servers:

• For #Procession / #Recession, see: Procession#Three servers.
• Acolytes act as Holy Water Bearer and Wedding Crucifix Bearer.
• Servers act as Torch bearers and Thurifer at the Sanctus.
  • Place Hand Bells near Cantor (James)'s spot and ask him to be the Bell Ringer.
  • If there are no non-Server capable of ringing the Hand Bells, only use Thurifer and Bell Ringer.

If there are only two Servers:

• For #Procession / #Recession, see: Procession#Two servers.
• For #Procession, couple may opt for Procession#Short Cloister Walk Procession to High Altar.
• At Gospel Procession, only have a Thurifer, no Candle bearers.
• At Sanctus, only have a Thurifer and Bell Ringer, no Torch bearers.

If there is only one Server:

• For #Procession / #Recession, see: Procession#One server.
• For #Procession, couple will likely opt for Procession#Short Cloister Walk Procession to High Altar.
• No incense or Processional Candles are used; all Thurifer / Lucifer actions are omitted.
• Server acts as both Holy Water Bearer and Wedding Crucifix Bearer, holding items in both hands when necessary.
• Server is Bell Ringer for the Eucharistic Prayer, no incense or Torches.