[Magdalen] Weddings during Advent?

[Christopher Hart]

Hence the old ditty:
Don't marry in Advent, don't marry in Lent,
Without first obtaining the bishop's consent.

On Thu, Nov 5, 2015 at 10:39 PM, Scott Knitter <scottknitter at gmail.com>
wrote:

> On Thu, Nov 5, 2015 at 8:48 PM, Grace Cangialosi <gracecan at gmail.com>
> wrote:
> > Is there any restriction about performing weddings during Advent? I've
> never had it come up, but someone asked that question today. I don't know
> where to look, because I don't even know where the proscription about
> weddings during Lent is found; I just know that's what I was told.
>
> I agree with Jim H that there's no exclusion of marriage in Advent. I
> don't see anything in the BCP or Constitution and Canons.
>
> Here's something I found from RC circles...of course, they don't apply
> to us, but I could imagine some folks taking this approach even if not
> required:
> "A wedding may be celebrated at any season of the year, although
> during the penitential seasons of Advent and Lent couples are asked by
> the Church to consider the special nature of these times and keep it
> simple. On Sundays of Advent, Lent and Easter, the liturgy of the
> Sunday with the wedding rites inserted is used."
>
> And in the venerable traditional Ritual Notes (which presumes a Church
> of England of the Catholic variety) puts it this way:
> "Marriage should not be solemnized during the 'closed seasons,' i.e.
> from Advent Sunday to Christmas day, and from Ash Wednesday to Easter
> day, all inclusive. This does not mean that weddings are altogether
> forbidden in those seasons, for marriage (when in the opinion of the
> bishop there is sufficient justification) may at all times be lawfully
> and canonically contracted; and recent rulings now permit the nuptial
> blessing to be given at all times, even in Advent and Lent, except on
> the last three days of Holy week and on All Souls' day. If marriage is
> contracted in such circumstances the customary social festivities
> should be omitted and all display avoided."
>
> So I think one can conclude there are really no actual restrictions.
> Or one can conclude that there should be some scaling back of
> festivities in keeping with a preparatory or penitential season. Or
> not...just interesting to consider.
>
> --
> Scott R. Knitter
> Edgewater, Chicago, Illinois USA
>



-- 

Christopher Hart

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