Church just called us....

We had asked the priest if we could do the Hand Ceremony in our Ceremony and he just called back and said 'no.' He said there were symbols and whatever that they (The Catholic Church) didn't approve of. Here's a copy of what a reader would read as FH and I joined hands..... Do any of you girls see anything sybolically against the church????

The Hand Ceremony
These are the hands of your best friend, young and strong and full of love for you, that are holding yours on your wedding day, as you promise to love each other today, tomorrow, and forever.

These are the hands that will work alongside yours, as together you build your future.

These are the hands that will passionately love you and cherish you through the years, and with the slightest touch, will comfort you like no other.

These are the hands that will hold you when fear or grief fills your mind.

These are the hands that will countless times wipe the tears from your eyes; tears of sorrow, and tears of joy.

These are the hands that will tenderly hold your children.

These are the hands that will help you to hold your family as one.

These are the hands that will give you strength when you need it.

And lastly, these are the hands that even when wrinkled and aged, will still be reaching for yours, still giving you the same unspoken tenderness with just a touch.

Re: Church just called us....

No but unfortunately those are the rules...no sand ceremonies either...

Re: Church just called us....

I know just how you feel, our church told us the same thing. We're doing it after the best man speech at our reception.

Re: Church just called us....

sorry, that stinks . We did the hand ceremony, it was really beautiful. The catholic church probably doesn't like it because they didn't come up with it.

Re: Church just called us....

Everything that is said in this is already represented within the Nuptial mass or ceremony - your vows, the readings, the Nuptial blessing, etc.

Do this during your reception if it is important to you, but it really has no place in a mass.

Re: Church just called us....

A friend of mine is getting married in the Catholic church and her priest won't even let them do a unity candle. I believe he told them that he considers it to be a 'pagan ritual' or something.

I'm an Episcopalian, and we can't deviate from the Book of Common Prayer at all. Our priest can't even say, 'You may now kiss the bride' because it's not in there...When we exchange The Peace, we kiss...that's it. It made me a little sad to know that I won't hear those words.

Re: Church just called us....

I'm sorry!!!

I have never heard of that before, it is beautiful. I will definitely have someone read that at the reception!

Re: Church just called us....

This is part of the reason why we chose to have our ceremony done by a Reverand..because the Catholic church (which is what I am) is so full of it!! give them the right $$ and they will let you do whatever you want!!!!! UNREAL! Never seen such hypocracy in my life!!! Sorry..this is just my opinion.

Re: Church just called us....

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Posted by Mitabtrfly

This is part of the reason why we chose to have our ceremony done by a Reverand..because the Catholic church (which is what I am) is so full of it!! give them the right $$ and they will let you do whatever you want!!!!! UNREAL! Never seen such hypocracy in my life!!! Sorry..this is just my opinion.

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Why because they won't change a 2,000 year old tradition to add some little poem that has absolutely nothing to do with the Sacrament? How is this hypocritical? So, I guess the Episcopalian's are hypocrites too? This isn't the place for bashing a world religion - just because you say IMO doesn't make it OK

Re: Church just called us....

No one was religion bashing..I clearly stated this was MY opinion...which if I recall correctly..I am entitled to. This is a democracy! thank you!

Re: Church just called us....

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Posted by Boston&NY2006

A friend of mine is getting married in the Catholic church and her priest won't even let them do a unity candle. I believe he told them that he considers it to be a 'pagan ritual' or something.

I'm an Episcopalian, and we can't deviate from the Book of Common Prayer at all. Our priest can't even say, 'You may now kiss the bride' because it's not in there...When we exchange The Peace, we kiss...that's it. It made me a little sad to know that I won't hear those words.

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Does the church realize that most of its traditions are based on 'pagan ritual' that it modified to suit it?

Warning: Please DO NOT start a whole theological discussion based on my comment....I DO NOT want to be responsible for that! It is just a comment!! I mean no harm and if you feel differently I respect that 100%....like I said it is just a comment!


ETA: I think that stinks that you can't do the hand ceremony, or (for Boston&NY) the unity candle. I think the hand ceremony is so beautiful! And we're doing a unity candle (that is if I can ever find one that I like!!!). I'm afraid to even ask the priest about a hand ceremony!

Re: Church just called us....

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Posted by FrogGirl0917

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Posted by Boston&NY2006

A friend of mine is getting married in the Catholic church and her priest won't even let them do a unity candle. I believe he told them that he considers it to be a 'pagan ritual' or something.

I'm an Episcopalian, and we can't deviate from the Book of Common Prayer at all. Our priest can't even say, 'You may now kiss the bride' because it's not in there...When we exchange The Peace, we kiss...that's it. It made me a little sad to know that I won't hear those words.

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Does the church realize that most of its traditions are based on 'pagan ritual' that it modified to suit it?

Warning: Please DO NOT start a whole theological discussion based on my comment....I DO NOT want to be responsible for that! It is just a comment!! I mean no harm and if you feel differently I respect that 100%....like I said it is just a comment!

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thank you!!! I tell you...some people need to get a life!

Re: Church just called us....

I am getting married in a Catholic church and doing the hand ceremony and the unity candle- both of which my priest said were done fairly often and had much sentiment

Re: Church just called us....

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Posted by carlsbride

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Posted by Mitabtrfly

This is part of the reason why we chose to have our ceremony done by a Reverand..because the Catholic church (which is what I am) is so full of it!! give them the right $$ and they will let you do whatever you want!!!!! UNREAL! Never seen such hypocracy in my life!!! Sorry..this is just my opinion.

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Why because they won't change a 2,000 year old tradition to add some little poem that has absolutely nothing to do with the Sacrament? How is this hypocritical? So, I guess the Episcopalian's are hypocrites too? This isn't the place for bashing a world religion - just because you say IMO doesn't make it OK

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OH LORD! give me a BREAK! I won't even go thre...because you will NOT Like what I have to say!!

Re: Church just called us....

Thank you girls so much for your support and comments. I think you're all so sweet!! I hope I didn't start any friction but I (like most of you) didn't think it was fair for them to tell us no. (I mean we are giving them quite a large 'donation' which they filled in the blank for us telling us how much we have to 'donate'.) Which still baffles me. But thank you all so much for posting!!

Re: Church just called us....

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Posted by blueyes678

Thank you girls so much for your support and comments. I think you're all so sweet!! I hope I didn't start any friction but I (like most of you) didn't think it was fair for them to tell us no. (I mean we are giving them quite a large 'donation' which they filled in the blank for us telling us how much we have to 'donate'.) Which still baffles me. But thank you all so much for posting!!

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Your day will be beautiful regardless of what 'they' agreed or disagreed with.

Re: Church just called us....

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Posted by carlsbride

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Posted by Mitabtrfly

This is part of the reason why we chose to have our ceremony done by a Reverand..because the Catholic church (which is what I am) is so full of it!! give them the right $$ and they will let you do whatever you want!!!!! UNREAL! Never seen such hypocracy in my life!!! Sorry..this is just my opinion.

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Why because they won't change a 2,000 year old tradition to add some little poem that has absolutely nothing to do with the Sacrament? How is this hypocritical? So, I guess the Episcopalian's are hypocrites too? This isn't the place for bashing a world religion - just because you say IMO doesn't make it OK

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I can respect your opinion and appreciate the fact that everyone views different situations differently but 2000 years ago Jesus didn't charge people $1000 to baptize them either?? But that's just my opinion. Thank you however for your insight....

Re: Church just called us....

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Posted by Mitabtrfly

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Posted by blueyes678

Thank you girls so much for your support and comments. I think you're all so sweet!! I hope I didn't start any friction but I (like most of you) didn't think it was fair for them to tell us no. (I mean we are giving them quite a large 'donation' which they filled in the blank for us telling us how much we have to 'donate'.) Which still baffles me. But thank you all so much for posting!!

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Your day will be beautiful regardless of what 'they' agreed or disagreed with.

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Thanks!!!

Re: Church just called us....

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Posted by blueyes678

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Posted by Mitabtrfly

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Posted by blueyes678

Thank you girls so much for your support and comments. I think you're all so sweet!! I hope I didn't start any friction but I (like most of you) didn't think it was fair for them to tell us no. (I mean we are giving them quite a large 'donation' which they filled in the blank for us telling us how much we have to 'donate'.) Which still baffles me. But thank you all so much for posting!!

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Your day will be beautiful regardless of what 'they' agreed or disagreed with.

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Thanks!!!

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It absolutely will be beautiful!

Re: Church just called us....

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Posted by blueyes678

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Posted by carlsbride

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Posted by Mitabtrfly

This is part of the reason why we chose to have our ceremony done by a Reverand..because the Catholic church (which is what I am) is so full of it!! give them the right $$ and they will let you do whatever you want!!!!! UNREAL! Never seen such hypocracy in my life!!! Sorry..this is just my opinion.

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Why because they won't change a 2,000 year old tradition to add some little poem that has absolutely nothing to do with the Sacrament? How is this hypocritical? So, I guess the Episcopalian's are hypocrites too? This isn't the place for bashing a world religion - just because you say IMO doesn't make it OK

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I can respect your opinion and appreciate the fact that everyone views different situations differently but 2000 years ago Jesus didn't charge people $1000 to baptize them either?? But that's just my opinion. Thank you however for your insight....

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I agree to this too.
I love ur idea Blueeyes