The Feast of the Ascension of the Lord used to be celebrated on Ascension Thursday, the Thursday before the Seventh Sunday of Easter.  Most of the dioceses of the United States have moved this feast to the Seventh Sunday of Easter to make the feast more accessible to working Catholics.  This is the final feast of the Lord before the sending of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost.  Jesus commissions his disciples (us) to be his witnesses throughout the world baptizing in his name.

Mother’s Day is of course not a liturgical feast.  Nevertheless, a church that holds Mary in high esteem and celebrates many feast days for her throughout the year certainly would like us to honor our mothers as well.  To this end, there is a special blessing for use on this day in the Book of Blessings.  This blessing will take place after communion and shortly before the dismissal at Mass.

Who does the marrying?  Frequently people say that they were married by Fr. Soandso, or that Fr. Soandso married them.  In fact, the priest (or deacon) serves as an official witness for the church and for the state.  It is the couple themselves who confer the sacrament on each other with their exchange of consent.  They are the actual ministers of the sacrament.

Many times the role of reader for a wedding is given to a friend or family member as a way to include them in the ceremony.  The prime consideration should be their ability to proclaim the Word of God to the gathered assembly.  Ideally, the reader should be someone with training and experience in proclaiming the readings at liturgy.  It is important that the readings be done in a meaningful way that communicates the word to the listeners.  Usually people who do not have the training or experience are nervous and rush through the readings.  The words are said, but they are not a proclamation of God’s Word.  If the reader is not a regular parish minister, they should practice with someone who is so that they can learn how to give the Word its prime importance.

Somehow we have connected “Here Comes the Bride” with the bride’s entrance at weddings.  The church has long said that this is not an appropriate song.  It comes from a source that can affect the meaning and spirituality of the occasion.  Usually, another instrumental processional is substituted.  What is really called for by the church is an entrance song in which everyone participates.  This is part of the way in which the guests at a wedding take an active part in the celebration.  Any liturgically appropriate song can be used.  It should reflect the focus and joy of the occasion.

The Sacrament of Marriage is an unusual one in that the action is not done by the priest or deacon presider.  The couple—bride and groom—are the actual celebrants of the rite.  The priest or deacon is a witness for the church and for the state.  It is not correct to state that Fr. X, Y, or Z married the couple.  They married one another.  He witnessed their marriage.  Of course, he does more than that at the actual ceremony, since he presides at the proceedings.

We know that Lent lasts from Ash Wednesday until the Triduum begins on Holy Thursday evening, just over six weeks.  Easter Time also is far more than a day.  In fact, the whole week following Easter is celebrated as though it were the day of resurrection.  All those days are celebrated as solemnities.  Then the season of Easter lasts until the evening of Pentecost.  So keep singing those joyful alleluias!