One of you is Catholic, the Other is Not -- a Twist on the All-Important Eucharist
by Fr. Lance Orndorff
So, one of you is Methodist and the other is Catholic. Or, you are both just spiritual people but one of those in your family is a practicing Catholic or Protestant. For Catholics at least, if there is not a Eucharist, or Communion, during the ceremony, then it falls short of what they expect and feel is necessary. There is a wonderful solution to this issue, and it can have a great deal of meaning and appeal to all who attend, Christian or not.
When I am speaking to a couple where one of the two was raised Catholic or one or both of their parents are Catholic, I suggest that the couple give the Eucharist (same thing as Communion) to one another. This seems a little odd at first, but when you see it take place in the ceremony, it is beautiful and very rich in meaning. What including this in the ceremony means to the Catholics in the crowd is difficult to overstate - it is huge. And protestants, who traditionally take the Eucharist only once a month instead of at every mass like Catholics, appreciate the act just the same.
But you are worried that its too "over the top" religious? Not at all. It's all in how your ceremony sets up the moment. I make it a point to say that Christ wanted them to remember when each time they had a meal that we are all one, that God lives on in all of us. I don't go down the flesh and blood trail with this. Instead, I couch it in the meaning of the couples "first meal together" as it was Christ's last meal. Symbolic and beautiful. Just don't underestimate the meaning that this will have for many who attend your wedding. Although you might not care at all about the Eucharist, others do. It's simple to do. It is very beautiful and will add to the richness of your ceremony, and believe me, once you do it, you'll be glad you did. And to make it even more meaningful, you can purchase a chalice to be used at other weddings, family weddings, and make it a tradition.
- Fr. Lance Orndorff is with Virginia, Maryland, DC Wedding Officiant in Alexandria, VA, and has been a WedPlan Member since May 2005.
