Wedding Music

Introduction

Dear Friends in Christ,

Congratulations on your engagement! This is such an exciting time for you, your spouse-to-be, and your families. We are excited to host your wedding at the historic Guardian Angel Cathedral.

To assist you in planning your wedding, our ministry has provided you with this liturgy workbook. Please use this workbook to reflect on the relationship that you and your spouse-to-be share with Jesus Christ.

To better assist you, especially if you find that one of you is not familiar with the Order of the Mass, or may need a little refreshing, brief explanations of what is happening during this time during the liturgy have been provided.

Please be assured of our continued prayers for you as you prepare for the Sacrament of Matrimony.

Yours in Christ,

William Freeman, Director of Music & Organist

Church Teaching on Music in the Wedding Liturgy

217 – “Therefore, while the celebration of marriage concerns the spouses and their families, it is not only a private matter. Since their consent is given in the presence of the Church, the celebration of marriage is governed by the appropriate liturgical norms. The Church desires that a person’s wedding day be filled with joy and grace. When preparing the Liturgy, pastors should address any concerns with the couple with due pastoral sensitivity and sound judgment” (United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, 2007).

218 – “Since oftentimes the only music familiar to the couple is not necessarily suitable to the sacrament, the pastoral musician will make an effort to demonstrate a wide range of music appropriate for the Liturgy” (United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, 2007).

220 – “Additionally, music should reflect the truth that all the sacraments celebrate the Paschal Mystery of Christ.189 Secular music, even though it may emphasize the love of the spouses for one another, is not appropriate for the Sacred Liturgy. Songs that are chosen for the Liturgy should be appropriate for the celebration and express the faith of the Church” (United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, 2007). 

221 – “If vocal soloists are to be employed in the celebration of the sacrament, they should be instructed on the nature of the Liturgy and trained in the unique aspects of singing in a liturgical context. Either the soloist should be trained to carry out the ministry of psalmist and cantor, or else another singer should be secured for this liturgically important role. In all cases, soloists should be aware that their talents are offered at the service of the Liturgy… Soloists should not usurp parts of the Mass designated for congregational participation” (United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, 2007). 

224 – “Since the celebration of marriage is a communal celebration, participation aids should be provided to the congregation so that they might follow the ritual with understanding” (United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, 2007).

SOURCE: United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. (2007, November 14). Sing to the Lord: Music in Divine Worship.

Guardian Angel’s Music Policies

  • The Director of Music will contact you via telephone and/or e-mail to set up an appointment to pick the music. This normally occurs one month prior to your wedding date.
  • Typically speaking, music that is appropriate for a Catholic Mass is appropriate for the Celebration of Holy Matrimony. To ease the burden of planning, we have provided this workbook. To encourage and facilitate the congregation’s ability to pray, only musical selections contained within this workbook are permitted.
  • Only musicians approved by the Director of Music Ministry are permitted to sing/play weddings at our church.
    • Use of musicians that are friends and/or family is generally not recommended but may be considered on a case-by-case basis by the Director of Music and Rector.
    • Generally speaking, due to the reasons stated above, these requests are generally not honored.
    • At this time, Guardian Angel Cathedral does not provide a choir for weddings. All music will be sung by a trained solo vocalist.
  • The use of outside musicians is strictly forbidden. This is to ensure fidelity to the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. In our experience, most outside musicians are remarkable performers; however, they do not have the knowledge or experience necessary for the Catholic Mass.

Music Selections

Prelude Music

The prelude music is instrumental music that is light in nature. The purpose of prelude music is to maintain a solemn atmosphere inside of the church where the Body and Blood of Christ are truly present to us within the tabernacle. Our musicians offer their selection of light pieces including classical and contemporary “background” music.

Musical Setting of the Mass

The musical setting of the Mass refers to the Gloria, Gospel Acclamation, Sanctus, Memorial Acclamation, Amen, and Lamb of God that we sing. These are all required to be sung, or at the very least recited, in order for the Mass to be considered “valid” in the eyes of the Church.

It is the policy of Guardian Angel Cathedral to use the same musical setting of the Mass that we are currently using at all of our weekend liturgies. This changes from time to time with liturgical seasons.

Procession Songs

This is when the Bridal Party and Bride make their respective entrances. Typically, one song is selected for the Bridal Party (seating and a different song is selected for the Bride; however, for smaller weddings, only one song is recommended).

  1. Canon in D (J. Pachelbel)
  2. Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring (JS Bach)
  3. Prelude in C Major (JS Bach)
  4. Allegro Maestoso from Watermusick (GF Handel)
  5. Musician’s Choice

Responsorial Psalm

Choose ONE Psalm from the List Below

  1. “The earth is full of the goodness of the Lord.” (Psalm 33:12, 18, 20-22)
  2. “I Will bless the Lord at all times/Taste and see the goodness of the Lord.” (Psalm 34:2-3, 4-5, 6-7, 8-9)
  3. “The Lord is king and merciful.” (Psalm 103:1-2, 8, 13, 17-18a)
  4. “Blessed the man who greatly delights in the Lord’s commands.” (Psalm 112:1bc-2, 3-4, 5-7a, 7b-8, 9)
  5. “Blessed are those who fear the Lord.” (Psalm 128:1-2, 3, 4-5)
  6. “The Lord is compassionate toward all his works.” (Psalm 145:8-9, 10, 15, 17-18)
  7. “Let all praise the name of the Lord.” (Psalm 148:1-2, 3-4, 9-10, 11-13a, 13c-14a)

Gospel Acclamation Verse

Choose ONE Verse from the List Below

  1. “Everyone who loves is begotten of God and knows God.” (1 John 4:7b)
  2. “God is love. If God loved us, we also must love one another.” (1 John 4:8b, 11)
  3. “If we love one another, God remains in us and his love is brought to perfection in us.” (1 John 4:12)
  4. “Whoever remains in love, remains in God and God in him.” (1 John 4:16)

Preparation (Presentation) Hymn

After the three Scripture readings from the Bible, a brief homily, and the exchange of vows, the Presentation Hymn is sung while the gifts of bread and wine are brought to the altar, which is set by the priest and altar servers. Depending on the number of individuals attending the liturgy, this generally allows for two to three verses of a hymn.

  1. Ave Maria (Franz Schubert) – Handout
  2. Hail Mary: Gentle Woman (Carey Landry) #889
  3. I Have Loved You (Michael Joncas) #588
  4. All I Ask of You (Weston Priory) – Breaking Bread Handout
  5. Ubi Caritas (Rosania Laurence) – Breaking Bread Handout
  6. Prayer of St. Francis (Sebastian Temple) #828
  7. When Love is Found (O WALY WALY) #966
  8. Love Is the Sunlight (MORNING HAS BROKEN) #967
  9. Love Has Brought Us Here Together (HYFRODOL) #969
  10. God, in the Planning (SLANE) #970
  11. A Nuptial Blessing (Michael Joncas) #971
  12. Musician’s Choice of an Appropriate Instrumental Piece

Communion Hymn

This is sung while practicing Catholics receive the Eucharist. Depending on how many individuals at the liturgy are receiving, this hymn can last anywhere from one to five minutes.

  1. Eat This Bread (Jaques Berthier) #941
  2. Gift of Finest Wheat (BICENTENNIAL) #940 
  3. I Am the Bread of Life (Suzanne Toolan) #945
  4. One Bread, One Body (James Foley) #932
  5. Draw Near (Steven R. Janco) #935
  6. Behold the Lamb (Martin Willet) #939
  7. Taste and See (J. Moore) #930
  8. Come to the Banquet (James Chepponis) #931
  9. O Sacrament Most Holy (Traditional) – Breaking Bread Handout
  10. Hail Mary: Gentle Woman (C. Landry) #889
  11. Here I Am, Lord (D. Schutte) #777
  12. Where Two or Three Are Gathered (Liam Lawton) #907
  13. Jesus, Hope of the World (Deanna Light) #909
  14. I Come with Joy (LAND OF REST) #919
  15. Pan de Vida (Bob Hurd) #920
  16. Life Giving Bread, Saving Cup (James Chepponis) #926
  17. Panis Angelicus (C. Franck) – Instrumental Only
  18. Prelude in C Major (JS Bach) – Instrumental Only

Marian Devotional

Following the Liturgy of the Eucharist, many couples choose to give flowers to the Blessed Virgin Mary. This very special moment typically only lasts about a minute and a half to two minutes.

  1. Ave Maria (Franz Schubert) – Handout
  2. Hail Mary: Gentle Woman (Carey Landry) #889
  3. Immaculate Mary (LOURDES HYMN) #886
  4. Hail, Holy Queen Enthroned Above (SALVE REGINA COELITUM) #879
  5. O Sanctissima (O DU FROLICHE) #895

Recessional

This instrumental piece is performed at the conclusion of the liturgy on the organ.

  1. Allegro Maestoso from Watermusic (George Frederich Handel)
  2. Ode to Joy (Ludwig van Beethoven)
  3. Wedding March (Felix Mendelssohn)
  4. Rondeau (Mouret)
  5. Trumpet Tune (Purcell)