Music in Catholic Church?

Does anyone know if you are restricted to play certain music in the church. Last night the girls and I were talking.....I said I always pictured the processional, for the whole bridal party....to be walking into Vivo Per Lei, by Bocelli. One of the girls said the church won't allow it because its not approved by the Catholic Church and not religious.

I googled and could not find out.

Does anyone know the restrictions in a Catholic church?

Or better yet did anyone have different music at the church? TIA

Hey Nina,
I am getting married in a catholic church, and it all depends on your parish and what that particular pastor and parish allows.

For example, my church says if the song does not refer to God's love, it cannot be used.

A friend of mine used 'The Prayer' by Celine Dion and Bocelli; I am going to try to use 'You Raise Me Up' by Josh Groban but do not know how they will feel about it.

Basically, my theory is, tell them the music you are using and have a little argument ready as to why the song reflects God's love and why it is appropriate but only use this argument (or even ASK) if they take a look at your songs and say no....

Nina

Oh thanks, Nina

I actually love The Prayer....I could use that one if they didn't let me use Bocelli....

I wonder if I could fenagle what they thought Vivo Per Lei means?......Probably not....that would be my ticket straight to the confession booth

Good luck!

I would just say its your song and wait for them to protest (and then have a backup - perhaps 'The Prayer')

It really all depends on your parish.
I don't know how open your parish is to secular music, but I know mine has youth masses where they play secular (but songs that somehow relate to love or God)...

whereas some parishes won't even touch non-church music.....

Yeah it depends on the church-

you may be allowed to have non religous music after the mass is said.

We haven't even chosen a church yet, in NY

O so even better!

choose the most open parish in NY

FM me if you are looking for parishes in Nassau, I have been to quite a few!

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Posted by NinaChris07

O so even better!

choose the most open parish in NY

FM me if you are looking for parishes in Nassau, I have been to quite a few!

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Word. I'm about to go to work...which means I'll be there in a couple minutes....and I'll FM you with questions....

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Posted by Nina

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Posted by NinaChris07

O so even better!

choose the most open parish in NY

FM me if you are looking for parishes in Nassau, I have been to quite a few!

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Word. I'm about to go to work...which means I'll be there in a couple minutes....and I'll FM you with questions....

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I will be here!!

I am on my computer outlining for my New York Practice final....

Obstacles...Obstacles.......Oh well....I'm going to find a way around this....I really want to use that for the processional

Check out this website, its from the diocese of rockville centre. It gives you a lot of info including what music you are or aren't allowed to play. marriage preparation

Nina,

Like others on here have said, it often depends on the particular parish. I've been to many Catholic weddings and have sung at even more (I am a cantor) so really most anything goes as long as it mentions God and love. Most 'pop' love songs are usually out and most organists ask you to stay traditional with the processional and recessional....but there are a lot of options besides the 'Wedding March' for example. Basically, they ask you to keep the music religious to a degree... God/Mary/Jesus must be mentioned in any song with lyrics.

FM if you want more info. or music selections... I have a lot of ideas....there are some choices out there that are traditional AND beautiful!

Karen

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Posted by donegal419

Nina,

Like others on here have said, it often depends on the particular parish. I've been to many Catholic weddings and have sung at even more (I am a cantor) so really most anything goes as long as it mentions God and love. Most 'pop' love songs are usually out and most organists ask you to stay traditional with the processional and recessional....but there are a lot of options besides the 'Wedding March' for example. Basically, they ask you to keep the music religious to a degree... God/Mary/Jesus must be mentioned in any song with lyrics.

FM if you want more info. or music selections... I have a lot of ideas....there are some choices out there that are traditional AND beautiful!

Karen

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Please post some of the those selections to help all Cathoic brides... TY

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Posted by MrsMichel07

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Please post some of the those selections to help all Cathoic brides... TY

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Okay, where do I start..... hee-hee.

Processional and Recessional:
There is so much beautiful organ music out there that it's hard to list it all. Here are some popular favorites that any good organist will know. I would recommend buying a CD and listening to it and finding out what you like. (A lot of record stores have compilation CDs with wedding music on it. Some that I like:
Jesu,Joy of Man's Desiring (Bach)*
Sheep May Safely Graze (Bach)*
Arrival of the Queen of Sheba (Handel)*
Water Music (Handel)*
Spring (Vivaldi)*
Rondeau (Mouret)*
Trumpet Voluntary (Clarke)
Trumpet Tune (Purcell)
Canon in D (Pachelbel)

*These would be a little more original in my opinion... not as commonly used.

Also, you can ask the organist to play through some pieces he knows and pick out ones that you like... you might be surprised you may LOVE something you never even heard before!

Hymns... the possiblities are endless... Honestly, you could just peruse the hymnal and pick out ones that are special to you or ones that you like. Some classics are:
Ave Maria (Schubert)
Ave Maria (Bach-Gounod)
Panis Angelicus (Franck)
Laudemus Te (Mozart)
The Irish Wedding Song (for my fellow Irish brides!)
The Lord's Prayer (Mallotte)
Wher'ever You Walk (Handel)
The above are best sung with a soloist ONLY, they wouldn't be the ones you would choose for the congregation to join in on... these would fit best during/after the unity candle, during the offertory or during the receipt of Communion.

Popular hymns (could find in any Catholic hymnal):
Faith of Our Fathers
Joyful, Joyful We Adore Thee
The Church's One Foundation
All things Bright and Beautiful
Amazing Grace
The Gift to be Simple (Shaker tune)
Alleluia, Sing to Jesus

Any of the Mary hymns would be perfect for presenting the flowers to Mary's altar:
Immaculate Mary
Ave Maria (any version)
Bring Flowers to the Rarest
Salve Regina (any version)
Hail Holy Queen Enthroned Above

The above are all really traditional... more recent hymns that you probably grew up with like 'One Bread, One Body' 'On Eagles Wings' 'I Have Loved You' 'Deep Within' etc. are all other possibilities for you and will be in your church hymnal that perhaps you can get a copy of.

I have a lot of church music knowledge (this happens when you've been singing for 20 years mainly in church choirs and cantoring) so if any one has any questions or likes or needs suggestions for that particular situation, please feel free to FM me anytime!

HTH!
-Karen

Oh wow...Thanks soo much Karen!
This is great!

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Posted by Angel2006

Hi each church will or should provide you with a bulletin of songs/music that are allowed. You should ask the priest or minister that is marrying you for the book so you can see the accepted selections.

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Yeah thats what my church is doing.