Archdiocesan Liturgy Office Issues New Wedding Music Guidelines

The guidelines clarify the nature and types of music that are appropriate for weddings, and "the importance of choosing music that is truly holy"

On February 22, the Archdiocesan Office of Liturgy released Guidelines for Music at Weddings, prepared by both the Office of Liturgy and the Liturgical Music Commission. The guidelines clarify the nature and types of music that are appropriate for weddings, and "the importance of choosing music that is truly holy."  The Good Newsroom asked Office of Liturgy Director Father Matthew S. Ernest, S.T.D., for some insight into the guidelines and their implementation. The Good Newsroom: What led to the promulgation of changes to Guidelines for Music at Weddings?Father Ernest: Over the last 10 years or so, the archdiocesan Liturgical Music Commission, which functions under the auspices of the Office of Liturgy, has developed guidelines for the selection of music in many different liturgical celebrations: first Communions, Confirmations, and funerals, just to name a few. The promulgation of guidelines for music at weddings is a logical progression of this work. The music guidelines are also a natural accompaniment to the archdiocesan Liturgical Guidelines for the Celebration of Marriage, which were published some seven years ago. The Good Newsroom: What will music directors (or wedding attendees) notice most, if anything? Father Ernest: Most pastors and musicians already strive to provide music at weddings that is both liturgically appropriate and pastorally sensitive to the wishes of the couple. The newly published Guidelines for Music at Weddings serve to affirm the importance of choosing music that is truly holy. As you might imagine, it can sometimes pose a challenge when a couple wants to include in their wedding liturgy a well-known piece of secular music that, while meaningful to them, does not fully reflect the Church’s criteria for sacred music. The hope is that these guidelines will help pastors and parish music directors to introduce and explain the Church’s beautiful and well-founded teaching on the qualities and requirements of sacred music. With this knowledge, couples will then be better equipped to plan a wedding liturgy that will inspire all present to join in praising God for the gift of marriage. The guidelines are available here (PDF).

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