The Intermountain Catholic. (Salt Lake City [Utah] ;) 1899-1920, 1903-01-24
The Marriage Ceremony.

| A LETTER received at this office
! ~ during the week suggests a sub
ject which will be both useful and
| appropriate at this season of the year.
One of our esteemed readers in neigh
boring town writes asking for infor-
nation regarding the Marriage Cere-
money, which, we judge, is a rather
practical question for her just now;
but, this being Shrovetide, information
| in this line will be no less practical for
our readers at large and is well deserv-
! ing of place among our editorial COM
ments.
We give the letter here in full, max
ing few slight changes for the sake
OF order:
Editor Intermountain Catholic:
Twill you kindly inform one Of your
readers regarding the following ques-
tons:
81. Where will she be able to secure
| information on an ordinarily quiet
marriage ceremony with Mass?
''2. Do the parties interested usually
have a slight practice with the priests
assistance or not?
80. Does not the average Catholic
| bride carry a prayer book instead of
bouquet (she is going to wear white
with vei!3
"a The brides sister is not Cath
Ollie. May she act as bridesmaid for
her sister?
"5 What is the usual fee that the
groom is supposed to give the officiat-
ing priest when there is a Mass?
So What is the fee for the wedding
march when such is furnished?
by answering these various ques-
tons you will confer great favor on
Yours - -"
Before proceeding to answer the
questions of our correspondent we beg
to state that the information herewith
given will hold good only when the
parties to the marriage contract are
both Catholics; for otherwise the cere-
money cannot be performed in the
church at all. Furthermore, we do not
by any means intend to confne our
selves to yes and no answers to these
question:, but will impart some useful
extraneous information as well.
1. In reply to the first question-as
to the source from which to secure in
formation-we would say: Right herel
We are always ready and willing to
fulfill the duties of an information bu-
reau in this as well as in all things else.
We keep open doors and hands out
stretched to every seeker of informa-
ton on Catholic subjects-it is our
duty and we glory in fulfilling it. Come
all.
2. To the second question (see above)
we would reply: Rehearsals for the
marriage ceremony are not at all nee
essary-the thing is too simple to need
any. Besides, we would not at all
vouch for the disposition of every
priest being accommodating enough to
grant the favor. The thing would ap-
pear so ridiculous to him that he would
probably fire" the parties indecorous-
ly and without much ceremony, even if
he had time in abundance at his dis
posal.
To save the blushing parties" any
embarrassment on such trying occa-
sion, as well as the accommodating
priest the danger of committing him
self, we gratuitously impart the follow
ing instructions regarding the order
and decorum which should surround
the marriage ceremony in the church:
On the appointed day and at the stated
hour, no sooner, no later, the parties
should appear at the church door, and
should be ready. at the first peal of the
r~ear7r1 -.
begin the procession to the altar. This