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The Sacrament of Matrimony 

 “From the beginning of creation, God made them male and female. For this reason, a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.” Mark 10:6-9   

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Congratulations on your upcoming marriage! It is the prayer that your marriage will bring you many blessings throughout your lives. Our staff is pleased to share in the preparations for your matrimony and your married life together. 

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What is your first step? 

The couple should contact the parish office at least 9 to 12 months prior to your desired wedding date to set up a meeting with either the priest or the deacon.   

This step is necessary even if you plan to wed outside of the diocese, and all agreements with the church should transpire before any social arrangements for the wedding are finalized. 

Prior to your first meeting with either the priest or deacon, you will need to fill out the Groom and Bride Information Sheet. Once it is completed, please email this back to the parish at: hrosary@ptd.net 

After you submit this form, it will be reviewed, and your request date will be confirmed.  

Either the priest or the deacon will contact you to set up a convenient time for all parties to meet. During that first meeting the marriage preparation process, proper Church and civil documents and the canonical application will be reviewed and signed. Other meetings will follow prior to your wedding day with discussions to include the importance of the Sacrament of Matrimony in today’s world, Church teaching on marriage, and other matters which may impact your marriage.  The final meeting will include details of the wedding day itself. 

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Which Liturgical Celebration (Form) is right for your marriage?  

Depending on your circumstance, while consulting with the priest or deacon, your wedding will be performed under one of the following rites, Nuptial Mass, which is officiated by a priest, or a Nuptial Ceremony which can also be performed by the priest but is usually officiated by the deacon. The determining criteria will center on the religious background of the bride and groom, as to which form of liturgy best accommodates your situation.  

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Three Forms of Celebrating Matrimony are:  

1. The Nuptial Mass also referred to as a Marriage Within a Mass. This form of liturgy is highly encouraged when both the bride and the groom are Catholic.     

2. The Nuptial Ceremony also referred to as a Marriage Without a Mass. This form of liturgy is normally used when a Catholic marries a person who is baptized but is not Catholic.  This liturgy may be more comfortable to non-Catholic families and guests. Even though communion may be distributed during this service, current church regulations prohibit non-Catholics from receiving communion at Mass. 

3. The Rite for Celebrating Marriage Between a Catholic and an Unbaptized Person. This form is used when a Catholic marries someone who is not baptized, either a catechumen or a non-Christian 

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READINGS AND LITURGICAL PRAYERS  

Weddings held at either Holy Rosary or Holy Name of Jesus Parishes, are celebrated according to the Ritual Books of the Roman Catholic Church: The Roman Missal, the Lectionary, and the Order of Celebrating Matrimony.  

Non-scriptural readings, poems or privately written vows are never permitted in place of the scriptures.  For the Sacrament of Marriage to be valid, the vows as prescribed in the Order of Celebrating Matrimony (Rite of Marriage) must be used. Personal vows, poems or speeches are more appropriately performed at your wedding reception. 

In consultation with the priest or deacon who will preside at your wedding, you will be asked to choose two passages from scripture that will be used during the ceremony. One reading from the Old Testament, and one from the New Testament. These reading can be found in the book entitled “Together for Life” by Joseph Champlin or they may be found here

In the case of weddings where ministers of other Christian denominations or other faiths are taking part, appropriate adaptations may be made after consultation with that minister and the engaged couple.

 

Preparing for Your Wedding 

All couples will be required to complete a Pre-Cana Course.  Sessions are held at various locations throughout the Diocese.  You can obtain further information by going to the Diocese of Scranton website, www.dioceseofscranton.org, Marriage Preparation page; or by calling the Office for Parish Life at (570) 207-2213.  

Baptismal Certificates are required by both persons if you indeed you were baptized. Certificates must be issued and dated within six months of the date you are to be married. Photocopies of originals cannot be accepted. Non-Catholic Christians need to supply a record of baptism as well.  The engaged couple is responsible to contact their church of baptism to request this certificate.  The current certificate is to be mailed to the attention of either the priest or the deacon officiating you’re wedding: 

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Holy Rosary Parish 

240 S. Poplar St. 

Hazleton, PA 18201 

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This address may be used if your wedding is held at Holy Name of Jesus Parish as well.  

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You will need to apply for a marriage license from the county courthouse within the state.  Licenses are valid for 60 days prior to the wedding day. You do not have to get the license in the county in which you reside. 

 

Wedding Days & Times 

  Weddings are usually held on Saturdays, another day may be selected, if approved by our parish priest however, weddings are usually permitted on Sundays. Dates during the seasons of Advent and Lent are subject to review. Since Lent is a more subdued season other times of the year may be more appropriate for the festive nature of a wedding. Marriages are prohibited during Holy Week.  

The latest time for Saturday wedding is 1:00 PM but other days of the week are a little more flexible. 

Rehearsals are usually held the day before at a time mutually convenient to the officiate and the engaged couple. 

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Non-Members of Either Holy Rosary or Holy Name of Jesus Parishes 

We understand there may be several reasons that non-members of our parish want to get married at either Holy Rosary or Holy Name of Jesus Parishes. Exceptions are to be reviewed by our parish priest. 

Those not registered with our parish will be considered on a case-by-case basis, provided they fulfill the following stipulations: 

• All marriage preparation will be completed with a priest or deacon from the parish in which you are currently registered. 

• Your priest will need to send a letter granting our priest permission to perform the sacrament of marriage for you. The letter must also acknowledge that your priest or deacon agrees to complete the documentation and preparation that is required prior to a Catholic marriage. 

• The permission/acknowledgement letter must be received by HR/HNJ, prior to our reserving your wedding date. 

• The completed marriage file from your home parish must be received in our office a minimum of one month before the wedding date. 

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Music 

Music holds an important place in your wedding liturgy. The priest or the deacon will put you in contact with our Director of Music, who will assist you in choosing music that is liturgically approved for your wedding.  

Please keep in mind that the Sacrament of Marriage is a liturgical celebration. Therefore, one of the basic principles that should underlie your selection of music is whether the music is indeed liturgical music. Popular songs and secular music, no matter how meaningful they may be to you, are not permitted within the liturgy.  Additionally, pre-recorded music (CDs, etc.) are usually not permitted as well. Non liturgical music may be appropriately performed at your wedding reception. 

Our parish Organist and Cantor serve as the principal musicians for all weddings. This ensures a desirable continuity with our specific acoustical demands of the liturgical space and helps guarantee that the service will go smoothly since the organist and cantor are accustomed to working with our priest or deacon.   

Instrumentalists (trumpet, violin, flute, harp, etc.) may be used upon approval of the main celebrate and our Director of Music. Due to musical and liturgical requirements, only experienced instrumentalists may play for weddings at either Holy Rosary or Holy Name of Jesus Parishes.  

The honorarium is set by the musicians and is separate from any church fees that is paid directly to them prior to the wedding.    

 

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Photography 

Professional photographers and videographers are permitted during the ceremony. It is the responsibility of the engaged couple to hire the photographers and videographers of whom they desired.  The cost to do so is separate from any church fees and paid directly by you to your photographers and videographers. 

On the day of the wedding, photographers and videographers are required to follow our parish guidelines during the service. This will be reviewed with them prior to the start of the wedding by either the main celebrant and/or our parish wedding coordinators   

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Flowers and Decorations 

Floral arrangements are allowed with in the Sanctuary within reason. Pew decorations are limited to modest bows, fresh or dried flowers, that can hang over the pews. Permanent or alternative fixes are not allowed.  

NOTE: For the safety of all, runners are not permitted nor are flower petals to be dropped by flower girls in the church. To maintain the dignity of the ceremony, signs carried by the wedding party must be appropriate. Animals, confetti, birdseed, balloons, and rice are not permitted on church property. Bubbles may be used outdoors only. 

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Wedding coordination services 

One of our parish wedding coordinators, will be present to assist the priest/deacon and ensure everything is flowing smoothly the day of the wedding. Your assigned coordinator will also attend the rehearsal. 

Our coordinators are prepared to assist with most aspects of your ceremony at the church, (except for questions pertaining to the liturgy itself). Outside professional wedding planners or coordinators are not necessary at the church. 

Our wedding coordinators will be on site to: 

• assist with the placement of the floral arrangements  

• assist with program distribution, if needed 

• ensure the comfort of the bridal party 

• direct the bridal party when to process down the aisle 

• fluff the veil and gown and arrange the train 

• assist the groomsmen with seating prior to the wedding  

• seat late arriving guests 

• direct the wedding party after the service 

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Fees 

The suggested offering to cover the cost of the church facilities (including the air conditioning and heating, as needed), servers, our wedding coordinator, marriage preparation and to either the priest or the deacon as the presider of the wedding, will be discussed prior to the wedding day.   

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