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The
following comments on interfaith wedding ceremonies are intended for brides and grooms
whose wedding planning involves religious or philosophical backgrounds of different origin. If your
wedding will be interfaith you both will need to
 make important considerations as to the
extent, if at all, your faiths are included in your ceremony. The following
description of Greg and Theresa's wedding is but one example of how this can be done in a
tasteful and meaningful way...Greg is Jewish and Theresa Catholic. Their wedding ceremony, has served as a model for many interfaith weddings whose brides and grooms chose to honor their different faiths during their ceremonies. Greg and Theresa's families were clearly enthusiastic and supportive of their marriage. Within this context the couple represented their religious backgrounds in the following ways.. I began the ceremony with a commentary on marriage speaking to the bride and groom and their guests. This commentary included the following: "By this marriage you both shall grow. For each of you brings to the other the gift of your faith. The Jewish and Catholic religions have always stressed the meaning of family, the dignity of life and the importance of their traditions:…. "You stand within the chuppah. From the Jewish faith, it signifies Divine presence and the groom accepting the bride into his home and family. "In the Catholic tradition we will light the Unity Candle; symbolizing the separate light of each individual coming together under God to shine as one light. "And in the tradition of the Church I ask each of you now to turn to your new family members to wish each other a sign of peace. Please take a moment to greet your neighbor with an open hand, and bless each other with the words.. …"Peace Be With You." And I gave an opening blessing from both faiths, continuing with... "Baruch Habbah bishaim Adunai Me adeer ahl hackole Me baruck ahl hackole Me godolle ahl hackole who yivaraich hechaton vi ha kalla. "Taken from Hebrew, these words mean: "May you who are here be blessed in the name of the Lord. May He who is supreme in power, blessing and glory-- bless this bridegroom and this bride. "And from the Catholic Mass: "May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with all of you." During the ceremony, Theresa's father, Thomas, asked everyone to join hands while he led them in praying the 'Our Father.' Producing a very moving moment indeed as both Catholics and Jews joined hands in reciting that universal prayer. I closed the ceremony with final comments and poetry as Greg broke the glass in the Jewish tradition. Mazel Tov! (Good Luck!!) These were just some of the elements of that ceremony- not the entire ceremony, which included much more. These elements represented just one way a bride and groom included their religious backgrounds in their wedding ceremony. It could have been done in any number of tasteful ways by including some, all, or none of the events I have described above. It is also equally true that an interfaith couple may not wish to include any reference to their religions during the wedding ceremony. Brides and grooms know if this is appropriate to their wedding plans. It is my intention to help them with their options. Interfaith weddings, when composed like Greg and Theresa's, are beautiful affairs indeed. |
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