No Marriage will be celebrated unless proper licenses are provided prior to meeting with the priest.
 
Contents: 
Wedding Liturgy Guidelines
         Wedding Liturgy
         Non-Catholic Ministers
         Wedding Vows
 
Marriages with those of Other Faith Expressions
         Catholic with Baptized Christian
         Catholic with Un-Baptized person
         Table of Wedding Ceremonies
 
Procedures for Planning a Wedding
         Procedures for Planning a Wedding
         Fees
         Wedding Ceremony Guidelines
         Diocese Guidelines
 
Wedding Liturgy Guidelines

A. Wedding Liturgy
In consultation with the priest who will preside at your wedding, you will determine if the marriage is to be celebrated at Mass or in a Liturgy of the Word.  The determining criteria will center on the religious background of the bride and groom, and other matters which should be determined between you and your presiding priest or deacon.  You will receive the book Together for Life by Joseph Champlin, which, along with various prayers and blessings, contain scripture readings most appropriate for use at weddings.  In consultation with the priest who will preside at the wedding the engaged couple will select two or three passages from scripture.
 
Non-scriptural passages are never used in place of the scriptures.
 
B. Non-Catholic Ministers
Weddings at Divine Mercy of Our Lord Parish are celebrated according to the worship books of the Roman Catholic Church:  The Roman Missal, the Lectionary and the Rite of Marriage.  Ministers of other denominations may assist during the ceremony.  This requires consultation with your presiding priest or deacon.
 
C. Wedding Vows
Wedding vows are provided in the wedding liturgy.  You may select one of the options for vows as listed in the book Together for Life when you consult with your priest.  The usage of vows from other  sources  or vows written by the bride or groom are not permitted in the Catholic Wedding Liturgy.  If you wish, you may speak to the priest or deacon regarding where in your liturgy a personal expression of yu commitment could be offered.

MARRIAGES WITH THOSE OF OTHER FAITH EXPRESSIONS
Catholic/Baptized Christian:  Marriages involving a Catholic with another baptized Christian are considered valid and sacramental, as long as they are under the auspices of the Catholic church.
 

· For liceity, permission for mixed religion is required.  If there is any doubt about validity of the non-Catholic person’s baptism, an ad cautelam dispensation from the impediment of disparity of worship also should be granted.
· If the Catholic party is domiciled in the Diocese of dallas and the marriage is to occur in the Diocese, priests and deacons have the faculties to grant both permission for mixed religion and the ad cautelam dispensation from disparity of worship.
 
· If the Catholic party is not domiciled in the Diocese of Dallas or the wedding is to take place outside the Diocese, the papers must be sent to the tribunal and the permission and the ad cautelam dispensation granted by the Tribunal.
· The usual promises regarding the practice of the faith and intention to share that with children are to be obtained from the Catholic party in any event.
· The wedding is celebrated without Mass.  Under certain circumstances the wedding may be celebrated with Mass.  Permission must be obtained from the Tribunal as delegated by the Bishop.
· The wedding may be celebrated with a dispensation from canonical form, normally in the church of the non-Catholic party officiated by his/her minister.  This can be granted by the pastor so long as the marriage is occurring in the Diocese of Dallas and the Catholic is domiciled in this Diocese.  Otherwise the papers are to be sent to the Tribunal.
· A location other than a church (hotel, garden, etc.) is not permitted as is generally true in other Texas dioceses.
· Once the wedding is celebrated with the necessary permissions/dispensations, it is presumed to be a valid, sacramental marriage.

 
Catholic/Unbaptized person:  Marriages involving a Catholic with someone who is not baptized are considered valid and good and natural (not sacramental), as long as they are under the auspices of the Catholic Church.

· For validity, a dispensation from the impediment of disparity of worship is required.
· If the Catholic party is not domiciled in the Diocese of Dallas or the wedding is to take place outside the Diocese, the papers must be sent to the tribunal for the dispensation to be granted by the Tribunal.
· The usual promises regarding the practice of the faith and intention to share that with children are to be obtained from the Catholic party in any event.
· The wedding may be celebrated with a  dispensation from canonical form, normally in the church of the non-Catholic party officiated by his/her minister.  In all circumstances, the wedding is to be celebrated without Mass (c.119), if the unbaptized person is observant in another faith and a non-church setting is more suitable for pastoral reasons, the location requires the approval of the Tribunal as delegated by the Bishop.

 
 
NEW COMMENTARY ON THE CODE OF CANON LAW
The Liturgical Form of Marriage
Canon 1119—Outside the case of necessity, the rites prescribed in the liturgical books approved by the Church or received by legitimate customs are to be observed in the celebration of a marriage.
Although the essential form of marriage is the exchange of consent by the spouses, the Church has long surrounded this element with liturgical rites that elucidate the place of marriage in the mystery of  salvation.  This liturgical form is to be observed in the celebration of all marriages, except in cases of grave necessity.  The liturgical norms and rubrics to be used in the celebration of marriage are found in the official liturgical book, The Rite of Marriage.  The current ritual offers a rich variety of options for readings, prayers, and blessings to allow the liturgical celebration to be adapted to the circumstances of individual couples.

Marriages between two Catholics are normally celebrated in the context of a nuptial Mass.  However, for a just cause, these marriages may be celebrated according to the “Rite for Celebrating Marriage outside Mass” which includes a liturgy of the word and the nuptial blessing as well as the required exchange of consent.
  The 1917 code prohibited the celebration of marriages between Catholics and non-Catholics in a Catholic church.  The local ordinary could dispense from this prohibition to avoid serious difficulties, but a sacred rite was rarely permitted for the celebration of these marriages.  Paul VI abrogated the prohibition in 1970.  The current ritual reflects this postconciliar change in discipline.  Marriages between Catholics and baptized non-Catholics are normally celebrated according to the “Rite for Celebrating Marriage outside Mass.”  However, the local ordinary can permit these marriages to be celebrated within the context of the Eucharist.  Marriages between Catholics and un-baptized persons are always to be celeb rated outside the Mass and according to the special rite provided for these situations, which allows the option of using only one scriptural reading from the Old testament. 
  When marriage takes place during the celebration of the Eucharist, the readings and prayers for the wedding Mass are normally employed.  However, if the marriage takes place on a Sunday or solemnity, the readings and prayers of the day are to be used, except on Sundays during the Christmas season and ordinary time when the wedding Mass may be used at celebrations that are not regular parish Masses.  When the Mass texts of the day must be used, one of the readings from the wedding Mass can be substituted, except during the Triduum and on Christmas, Epiphany, ascension, Pentecost, Corpus Christi, and other holy days  of obligation. All of the rites for the celebration of marriage contain a nuptial blessing.  The current discipline has eliminated previous restrictions on when and to whom this blessing may be imparted.  Thus, the nuptial blessing can be granted to those entering second marriages or entering mixed marriages, when marriage is celebrated outside a Mass, and during any liturgical season”
 
Once the wedding is celebrated with the necessary permissions/dispensations, it is presumed to be a valid, but not sacramental, bond.  For the sacrament of marriage to occur, both parties must be baptized Christians.  If the non-baptized becomes baptized in the future, the marriage becomes sacramental with no further ceremony or action.  A request for permission for the celebration, in a suitable location other than an established place of worship, of marriag between a baptized Catholic and a non-baptized person observant in another faith is to be sub mitted to the Tribunal for consideration.  If the Catholic party is domiciled in the Diocese of Dallas and if the marriage will occur in the Diocese of Dallas, the Catholic party’s pastor has the power to grant the dispensation from canonical form but not the power to give approval for a marriage in a non-church setting.  If the marriage is to occur outside the Diocese of Dallas the prenuptial papers are to be submitted to the Tribunal for the necessary dispensations/permissions and for appropriate transmission.  The usual marriage preparation and paperwork are to occur as for any other marriage.

 
Procedure for Planning a Wedding at Divine Mercy of Our Lord Catholic Parish
 
1. It is preferred but not required that the Bride or Groom be a registered and contributing member of the parish.
 
2. Those contemplating marriage in this church need to contact the office at least six months before the proposed date of the wedding, all documents must be presented prior to booking a date in the Church calendar.
 
3.   Documents needed:

a) Baptismal Certificate of the bride and groom issued within 6 months from the churches of each baptized party.
b) First Communion Certificate of the bride and groom.
b) Confirmation Certificate of the bride and groom issued within 6 months from the churches of each confirmation celebration.
c) Certificate of Attendance in Marriage Preparation Classes (through parish Sponsor Couple or Engaged Encounter or Diocesan Office).
d) Affidavit of Freedom for both bride and groom from reliable witnesses (usually a parent).
e) Civil Marriage License from the Dallas County Records Building, 509 Main Street, Suite 120 or East Dallas Government Center, 3443 St. Francis Ave. (obtain no sooner than 10 days but no later than 72 hours before the wedding date). Call 214-653-7559 for more information. If already married civilly, please provide a copy of your original license.
 
f) Full written mailing addresses for churches of Baptism for both bride and groom
g) Permissions, dispensations, and nihil obstat from the Diocese of Dallas for a mixed marriage.

 
4. When the marriage preparation classes have been completed and all the certificates and paperwork turned in to the Church Office, the couple must meet the priest at least 1 month before the proposed date of the wedding to plan the ceremony and rehearsal date.
 
5.   For anyone having problems with a previous marriage, no wedding plans may be discussed until the marriage case is resolved by the Diocesan Tribunal.
 
6. After the paperwork is complete, offer your $200.00 refundable deposit. This deposit will be refunded if all rules are followed and the celebration starts at the designated time.
 
7. Pay the fee of $500.00, payable in full 2 weeks before the celebration. (Non-members pay $750.00 for the celebration).  A $50.00 fee will be charged for mixed marriages to cover fees charged by the Tribunal of the Diocese of Dallas.  An additional donation of $5.00 will be charged for each Altar Server.
 
8. Please read and choose the readings and prayers to be used during the ceremony before your appointment with the celebrant.
 
9. Parties must abide by all of the Parish Marriage Guidelines. These guidelines are available in a packet from the parish office on the day of the Initial Interview.
 
10. When seeking for Lectors, Ushers, and Eucharistic Ministers for your celebration, we require you to ask our parish ministers. (A list of phone numbers and name of leaders will be available for you). Ministers from other parishes need to have the approval of the Pastor.
 
11.  All Wedding arrangements with the church, facilities and minister are Tentative until all the documentation are complete and all fees have been paid.

Wedding ceremony Outlines Program for Full Mass
(With Communion)

Prelude Music
Entrance Rite

Call to Prayer
Processional
Opening Song
Greeting and Welcome
Opening Prayer

Liturgy of the Word

First Reading
Responsorial Psalm
Second reading
Gospel Acclamation
Gospel Reading
Homily

Rite of Marriage

Introduction and Intentions
Exchange of Vows
Blessing and exchange of Rings
Prayer of the Faithful

Liturgy of the Eucharist

Presentation of the Gifts
Prayer Over the Gifts
Holy
Memorial Acclamation
Amen
Our Father
Sign of Peace
Lamb of God
Communion
[Wedding Candle or Meditation song] Optional
Prayer After Communion

Concluding Rite

Nuptial Blessing
Final Blessing
Presentation of the Couple
Recessional

 
Program for Marriages Outside Mass
(Without Communion)

Prelude Music
Entrance Rite

Call to Prayer
Processional
Opening Song
Greeting and Welcome
Opening Prayer

Liturgy of the Word

First Reading
Responsorial Psalm
Second reading
Gospel Acclamation
Gospel Reading
Homily

Rite of Marriage

Introduction and Intentions
Exchange of Vows
Blessing and exchange of Rings
Prayer of the Faithful
Our Father
Sign of Peace
[Wedding Candle or Meditation Song]

Concluding Rite

Nuptial Blessing
Final Blessing
Presentation of the Couple
Recessional 
 

Wedding Ceremony Guidelines

1. Participants are to promptly attend the rehearsal.
2. Weddings are celebrated at 2:00 PM on Saturdays unless prior signed permission from the Pastor has been obtained.
3. Wedding practices are done on Friday at 4:00  M.  When there is no other liturgy in the church practices may be done at 7:30 PM
4. As many participants as possible are to be practicing Catholics and have celebrated the Rite of Reconciliation (confession) within one week prior to the celebration. Confessions here in our parish are held every Saturday, from 3:30 – 4:30 PM.
5. You will need three (3) ministers for Lectors and two (2) for Eucharistic Ministers. 
6. You will pay for three (3) fresh flower arrangements for the altar, which are to remain in church. Flowers on the altar will be natural only. (For a fee of $180.00, the Ladies of the Altar Society will order the arrangements for you, using their Church discount.) 
7. Ribbons and artificial flowers are allowed as pew decorations only if special plastic hooks are used, not tape. You must remove these decorations immediately after the ceremony.  
8. No video or picture-taking from the altar space. No extra lights for video will be allowed. If additional pictures are taken after the ceremony, you must finish and be ready to leave within 15 minutes after the ceremony ends
9. No arch or aisle runner is allowed.
10. No flower petals, paper hearts, rice, birdseed, confetti, etc. May be thrown or distributed. No horse and carriage.
11. During Lent, absolutely no altar flower arrangements or decorations or picture/video taking or limousine will be allowed in reverence to the liturgical season.
12. You may make arrangements with the parish Music Minister to provide music for the celebration for an additional fee of $100.00. Other musicians are allowed, with the approval of the Pastor in advance.
13. If you plan to use the optional Unity Candle in your ceremony, please provide your own candles and a cloth or clear plastic to place under them to protect the floor from dripping wax. If you wish, you may rent the Unity Candle Holder from the parish for an additional fee of $25.00 with prior arrangements.
14. The Wedding party is to be reminded that our sanctuary is a sacred space proper dress is to be observed by wedding party members.  Dresses with plunging necklines are not permitted.  When strapless dresses are worn the shoulders must be covered.
 
Proper Conduct
The church is the House of God, a sacred place; therefore, anyone in the church, especially the wedding party, should maintain a respectful reverence at all times. 
 
Bubbles may be used outside the church but not inside.  Rice, Beans, and birdseed are not permitted.
 
Proper Attire
Modest and respectful dress by the Bride and her party is expected at all times.  Any member of the wedding party inappropriately dressed will not participate in the celebration (this includes uncovered shoulders and backs, low cut, short dresses, or high slits.)  The shoulders of the bride must be covered, if the dress does not cover the shoulders she must wear a shawl.  Compliance with this requirement is mandatory the service will not be celebrated if this requirement is violated.

Diocesan Guidelines

1.  Both parties must have completed their 18^th birthday.
 
2.  The couple must have known each other for at least 6 months.
 
3.  A marriage because of pregnancy may not be witnessed by the Church until after the birth of the baby.
 
4.  The wedding ceremony usually takes place in the church of the Catholic bride or the church of the Catholic groom. A Catholic may not marry in a non-Catholic church without the permission of the bishop and only with a dispensation from the canonical form of marriage. Garden weddings, home, or hotel weddings are not permitted in the Diocese of Dallas.
 
5.  Both parties must be free to marry. Both parties, whether Catholic or non-Catholic, must never have been married before in either a civil or common law, nor by religious ceremony. Any prior marriage must have a decree of nullity rendered by the Matrimonial Tribunal of the Diocese of Dallas or another Catholic diocese.
 
6. In a mixed marriage (between a Catholic and a non-Catholic), the Catholic party is required to sign a statement promising to practice his/her religion and to do all in his/her power to have all the children born of the union baptized and reared as Catholics. The non-Catholic party is not required to sign the promise. However, he/she must be cognizant and agreeable.

In order to fund the additional expenses that will be incurred by the Tribunal there will be a $50.00 payment required for each prenuptial procedure coming from  Divine Mercy of Our Lord wherein a dispensation or permission is required. from the Diocese of Dallas. 

· All are required to forward to the Tribunal, at least 30 days prior to the scheduled wedding, prenuptial papers for any marriage, occurring inside the Diocese of Dallas, if it requires permissions or dispensations, or if either party has been mamed to anyone else, so that the Tribunal can provide the necessary permissions, dispensations, and nihil obstat.
 
· All are required to forward to the Tribunal, at least 60 days prior to the scheduled wedding, prenuptial papers for any marriage occurring outside the Diocese of Dallas but within the USA.
 
· All are required to forward to the Tribunal, at least 90 days prior to the scheduled wedding, prenuptial papers for any marriage occurring outside the Diocese of Dallas and outside the USA.
 
· Regarding the above referenced time frames, consideration always must be given to the time frame required by the Diocese/parish in which the marriage is to be celebrated outside the Diocese of Dallas.

7.  A couple must wait at least 12 months after a civil ceremony before their marriage can be validated in the Catholic Church.