Music for the
Celebration of
Marriage
Saint Matthew Parish
1150 Monks Passage
Oakville ON L6M 1M2
INTRODUCTION
Among the many festivities that surround the celebration of marriage, the liturgical celebration
stands out as the most important for members of the Christian community. It is in this gathering
that the bride and groom publicly celebrate the love of God in Jesus Christ and, in the exchange of
their marriage vows, commit themselves to be ambassadors of this love to one another and the
world for the rest of their lives.
Like every liturgical celebration in which the Church celebrates its life in Christ and offers worship
to God, the celebration of Christian marriage involves the prayer of all who are assembled in faith,
the proclamation of God’s word, and the song of God’s people. Music is integral to every
celebration of marriage.
When considering the music for the celebration of marriage, the bride and groom, in consultation
with the parish musicians, ought to consider the following:
1. Does the music invite all who have gathered to participate fully in the celebration?
2. Is the music appropriate for a public act of worship?
3. Is the music appropriate for the particular ritual moment in the celebration for which it is being
chosen?
4. Is the music selected inspired by the scripture readings that will be proclaimed during the
celebration?
5. In the selection of music, is priority given to the parts of the celebration in which the entire
assembly ought to be engaged in singing?
6. What musical resources are available in the parish community? What hymn books are used? In
general, the use of music which is found in the parish hymnal is always fitting for the
celebration of Christian marriage.
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PART ONE
MUSIC IN THE RITE OF MARRIAGE
The following outlines indicate the moments in the marriage rite when music is most appropriate.
The elements in boldfaced print are the most important for song or music during the marriage
liturgy. Priority should be given to the selection of these items and to the participation of the entire
assembly in the hymns or acclamations. Music may be provided during other moments in the
liturgy, as indicated, however, music is not necessary at these moments.
Rite of Marriage during Mass
Rite of Marriage outside of Mass
INTRODUCTORY RITES
Processional Music
Instrumental music or a hymn sung by the
assembly
INTRODUCTORY RITES
Processional Music
Instrumental music or a hymn sung by the
assembly
LITURGY OF THE WORD
Responsorial Psalm
Gospel Acclamation
LITURGY OF THE WORD
Responsorial Psalm
Gospel Acclamation
Song following the Homily
RITE OF MARRIAGE
Intercessions
RITE OF MARRIAGE
Intercessions
LITURGY OF THE EUCHARIST
Holy, Holy
Memorial Acclamation
Great Amen
Lord’s Prayer
Lamb of God
Communion Processional Hymn
CONCLUDING RITE
Instrumental Recessional Music
CONCLUDING RITE
Instrumental Recessional Music
PART TWO
SONGS FOR THE ASSEMBLY
Catholic Book of Worship III
Responsorial Psalms
The following list identifies settings of psalms with their designated refrains which the Lectionary
provides for the rite of marriage; and are found in the Catholic Book of Worship III (CBW III).
Some of the psalm settings were not composed for the Rite of Christian Marriage, therefore, the
musicians may have to select verses from these settings in accord with the verses identified for use
with the Lectionary texts for marriage. Psalmody may also be considered for use during the
communion procession. Psalm 34 is particularly fitting fur use as a communion processional hymn.
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Psalm 33
CBW III – 47
May your love be upon us, O Lord, as we place all our hope in you.
CBW III – 77
The earth is full of love, full of the goodness of the Lord.
CBW III – 100
Lord, let your love be upon us as we place all our trust in you.
CBW III – 109
Happy are the people that the Lord has chosen as his own.
CBW III – 168
Happy the people the Lord has chosen to be his own.
Psalm 34
CBW III – 55
Taste and see that the Lord is good.
CBW III – 167
Taste and see, taste and see that the Lord is good; the Lord is good.
CBW III – 170
O taste and see the goodness of the Lord.
CBW III – 173
Taste and see the goodness of the Lord, taste and see the goodness of the
Lord.
Psalm 103
CBW III – 52
The Lord is kind and merciful.
CBW III – 130
The Lord is compassion and love.
CBW III – 181
The Lord is compassion and love, slow to anger and rich in mercy.
CBW III – 217
The Lord’s kindness is everlasting to those who fear him.
Psalm 128
CBW III – 33
Happy are those who fear the Lord, and walk in his ways.
CBW III – 191
May the Lord bless us all the days of our lives.
CBW III – 208
O blessed are those who fear the Lord and walk in his ways.
CBW III – 628
Blest are those who love you, happy those who follow you, blest are those
who seek you, O Lord.
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Psalm 145
CBW III – 102
I will praise your name for ever, my king and my God.
CBW III – 161
Your hand, O Lord, feeds us; you answer all our needs.
CBW III – 163
You open wide your hand, O Lord, and grant our desires.
CBW III – 184
The Lord is close to all who call him.
CBW III – 204
I will bless your name for ever, O God my king.
Gospel Acclamations
Music for Gospel Acclamation refrains during Ordinary Time, Advent, Christmas and Easter may be
found in the Catholic Book of Worship III (nos. 247-258, 549A). Music for Gospel Acclamation
refrains during Lent may be found in the Catholic Book of Worship III (nos. 259-265). This short
acclamation with an appropriate verse serves to announce the Gospel passage being proclaimed by
the presiding minister. The current acclamation being used in the parish is typically the acclamation
used at wedding liturgies, however, an alternate may be used upon request.
Eucharistic Prayer Acclamations
The use of familiar settings of the Sanctus, Memorial Acclamation and Great Amen will be the most
successful in encouraging the participation of those present for the marriage liturgy. The music
ministers will choose the appropriate setting to use based on the parish’s repertoire.
Communion Processional Hymn
When the celebration of marriage takes place during the Eucharist, it is important that the entire
assembly join in the singing of an appropriate hymn during the communion procession. The
communion processional hymn expresses the unity and joy of all who approach the Lord’s table.
The hymns listed below have easily sung refrains to facilitate singing by the entire assembly during
the communion procession.
Catholic Book of Worship III
Blest are They
Bread of Life
Christians Let Us Love One Another
Drink in the Richness of God
Eat this Bread
Gather Us Together
Gentle Shepherd
Gift of Finest Wheat
God is Love
I am the Living Bread
No Greater Love
Now in this Banquet
Our Daily Bread
David Haas
Bernadette Farrell
PICARDY
Howard Hughes
Jacques Bertier (Taize)
Owen Alstott
Tobias Colgan
FINEST WHEAT
David Haas
David Haas
Michael Joncas
Marty Haugen
Robert E. Kreutz
522
597
595
612
602
601
598
603
473
605
599
608
600
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Seed, Scattered and Sown
Take and Eat
Taste and See
Ubi Caritas
Where there is Love
Dan Feiten
Michael Joncas
James E. Moore, Jr.
Jacques Bertier (Taize)
David Haas
604
611
610
67
631
Bernadette Farrell
Michele Guimont
Bob Hurd
Thomas J. Porter
6.1
6.11
6.12
6.4
Celebrate in Song
Bread for the World
For Countless Blessings
Gather Your People
Let Us Be Bread
PART THREE
OTHER MUSIC FOR THE LITURGY
Catholic Book of Worship III
Music for the Preparation Rite
When the celebration of marriage takes place during the Eucharist, it is fitting to provide music
during the preparation of the table and presentation of the gifts. This music may be instrumental,
choral, or a piece of music composed for cantor and assembly in antiphonal style. It need not
necessarily be a hymn sung by the assembly. Some suggestions are listed below:
As We Gather at Your Table
Eye has not Seen
Joyful, Joyful, We Adore You
Lord of all Hopefulness
Lord, Make us Servants of Your Peace
O God, Beyond all Praising
Something Which is Known
We Praise You, O Lord
When Love is Found
You are the Voice
NETTLETON
Marty Haugen
HYMN TO JOY
SLANE
O WALY, WALY
THAXTED
Gregory Norbet
Darryl Ducote, Gary Daigle
O WALY, WALY
David Haas
583
482
511
497
630
561
393
633
629
576
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PART FOUR
SOLO MUSIC
Hymns
Although the only hymnals used in the Saint Matthew Parish community are the Catholic Book of
Worship III and Celebrate in Song, the following hymns may be used by the cantor as prelude
music or during the preparation rite. For wedding celebrations outside of the Eucharist, these
hymns may be used following the homily.
Gather Hymnal
I Have Loved You
We Have Been Told
Michael Joncas
David Haas
504
699
Miscellaneous
Ave Maria
Ave Verum
How Beautiful
I Can Only Imagine
On Eagle’s Wings
Panis Angelicus
The Power of Your Love
Walk Hand in Hand
Wedding Song (There is Love)
Franz Schubert
W.A. Mozart
Twila Paris
Michael Smith
Michael Joncas
Cesar Franck
Geoff Bullock
Johnny Cowell
Stookey
PART FIVE
ORGAN AND INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC
The following selections include music which may be used as preludes, postludes, music for the
preparation rite and during processions.
Abbot’s Leigh
Air (from Suite 3)
Air (from Water Music)
Allegro Moderato
Arioso in A (Air on the G String)
Canon in D
Festive Trumpet Tune
Hornpipe (from Water Music)
Hymn to Joy
Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring
Minuet (from Berenice)
O Had I Jubal’s Lyre
Prince of Denmark’s March
Psalm 19
C.V. Taylor
J.S. Bach
G.F. Handel
G.F. Handel
J.S. Bach
Johann Pachelbel
David German
G.F. Handel
Ludwig van Beethoven
J.S. Bach
G.F. Handel
G.F. Handel
Jeremiah Clarke
Benedetto Marcello
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Rigaudon
Rondeau
Thaxted
Trumpet Tune
Andre Campra
Joseph Mouret
Gustav Holst
Henry Purcell
PART SIX
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Q:
A:
Who are the musicians that will provide music for our wedding? Can we invite our own
musicians?
The Director of Music for Saint Matthew Parish is the designated musician for your wedding
celebration. One of the parish cantors may also be present to lead the congregational
singing and sing appropriate solo pieces. On the occasion when the Director of Music is not
available for your wedding, he will make the appropriate arrangements for a replacement
musician. From time to time, couples ask to have a friend or relative sing/play a piece of
music at their wedding. Musicians from outside the parish are not unwelcome, however,
consideration must be given to the person’s liturgical experience and knowledge of the
Catholic marriage liturgy. After consultation with the Director of Music, a close friend or
relative may be permitted to sing one song during the liturgy, with the parish cantor
leading the congregational singing. It is not appropriate to hire musicians from outside the
parish to play or sing at the wedding liturgy. At all times, and without exception, guest
musicians will be expected to follow the general norms for liturgical music, the guidelines
set for weddings at Saint Matthew Parish, and any direction given by the Director of Music.
Q:
A:
What is the policy if we don’t want any singing at our wedding?
All Roman Catholic rituals have an element of singing in them, and a wedding is no
different. While the prelude music prior to the ceremony can be purely instrumental,
elements of the wedding liturgy, namely the Responsorial Psalm, Gospel Acclamation,
Eucharistic Acclamations (for weddings within Mass) and the Communion Processional
Hymn, are always sung.
Q:
A:
When do we meet with the parish musicians to plan the music for our wedding?
Music planning meetings typically takes place approximately one month prior to the wedding
date.
Q:
May we select the Bridal Chorus or the Wedding March for our procession in and out of the
church?
Due to their secular nature, these songs are not appropriate selections and therefore are
not permitted for use in our parish.
A:
Q:
A:
May we have more than one song for the procession?
The procession of the wedding party is one act from beginning to end. As such, only one
song is permitted.
Q:
A:
What is the “Song following the Homily?”
When a wedding ceremony takes place outside of Mass, a song is sung following the homily.
This was introduced as a means of pausing for a moment of reflection after the Scripture
readings and homily before beginning the Rite of Marriage.
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Q:
A:
Q:
A:
There has not been any mention of music during the Signing of the Register so far. Why is
that?
In its most technical sense, the Signing of the Marriage Registration is a purely legal act,
and is not part of the liturgy. At Saint Matthew Parish, the signing of the documents takes
place in the Narthex following the procession out of the church. There is no music
associated with this act.
I want to have “Ave Maria” sung during the Communion Procession, but it’s not listed as an
option. Why?
Communion Processional hymns must be focused towards Christ in the Eucharist. When
translated, you will find that the Ave Maria is the prayer, Hail Mary, full of Grace… and is
therefore not appropriate during this time. For weddings within Mass, it may be sung during
the Preparation of the Gifts. For weddings outside of Mass, it may be sung following the
homily.
Q:
A:
I would like to have a song sung/played that is not listed. Is this allowed?
As long as the song is liturgically appropriate, absolutely. Out of consideration for the
musicians, please provide as much advance notice as possible so they can learn the music,
if necessary. Please keep in mind that songs that are not of a sacred nature are never
appropriate in any church liturgy.
Q:
A:
Who do I contact for more information or to arrange a planning meeting?
The parish Director of Music is Dwayne Cahill. His email address is
dcahill@saintmatthew.ca. He will return your message at his first opportunity.
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