I wasn’t worthy of this wedding.
A Catholic wedding is a very formal event. The music is beautiful, the speaking is elegant, the setting is reverent.
They do things I’d never seen done. It lasts about an hour, and they have a lot to cover. You can’t see the singers or the organist, but you assume someone is back there. Portions of the service usually spoken are sung, like “Let us praaaaaay”. They also sing things in different languages. Plus, they follow a routine to which you as an audience member are required to respond in a very specific way.
When the priest says “The Lord be with you”, your part is to say, “And with your spirit.” I didn’t have a script (program), and I couldn’t understand what everybody else was saying. So after about the fifth “The Lord be with you”, I winked at the guy, just to show I was on board.
I realized early I was doing things wrongs. Before anybody sits in the pew, they bow toward the front. I’d already been seated, so I thought, maybe I better go back in the aisle and bow. I didn’t want to create a problem, but my buddy sitting by me said I would probably get a pass on the bowing. That was good news.
There was much standing. Then sitting. Then standing. And more sitting. At one point the priest said, “You may sit or kneel.” Okay! I loved having a choice. It may not be anything for a young guy, but after all the standing and sitting at the Catholic wedding, most of us got our cardio for the day.
The communion was a big deal. It was a giant communion. A king size communion. It was ten minutes in the preparation alone. A nice, well dressed family of four brings it majestically down the aisle and gives the elements to the altar boys, who are always at the priest’s beck and call. Anytime they move, whether giving him a cup, taking his bread, or moving his candles around, he taps them on the head. I guess that’s his way of saying “Attaboy”.
Then comes the ceremonial washing of the cup. The breaking of the bread. The drinking of the wine. The breaking of more bread. And the drinking of more wine. And the ceremonial washing of more cups. And that’s just the priest. Finally, he shares some with the bride and groom. I had begun to wonder if it was all about him. But no, apparently as the head guy, he gets to lead off.
The next part really got my attention. The bride and groom came forward to pay some form of homage to Mother Mary. The only thing I ever knew about Mary was she was a virgin, she gave birth to Jesus, and somewhere she was speaking words of wisdom, let it be. I wasn’t sure praying to her was a good idea. I just knew I didn’t want to do it. But as it turns out as an audience member this was not a requirement. The bride and groom however, were obligated. I suppose if you want to marry a girl enough, you’ll do just about anything.
All in all it was a beautiful wedding. There were lots of smiles as the wedding party exited via the center aisle. They all looked so happy I applauded, and some congregants joined me. Again, I don’t know if I committed any sort of catholic misdemeanor. If so, I guess I was forgiven. Again, another close call.
After the ceremony, there was much joyous banter, and a feeling of good will. As some of us visited in the back of the sanctuary, I couldn’t help but feel a warmth of joy for the happy couple, and the beauty of what we’d just witnessed. I know I’ll never forget it. So I asked my friend if I could have his program.
I wanted to get an autograph from the priest.