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ITALY-MARRIAGE Nov-4-2004 (430 words) With photo. xxxi
Italian brides, grooms to 'accept' not 'take' each other in marriage
By Cindy Wooden
Catholic News Service
ROME (CNS) -- Italian brides and grooms marrying in Catholic churches will no longer "take" each other as husband or wife, but will "accept" each other.
"This small change of wording emphasizes the fact that the other is a gift, not something that one takes of one's own accord," said Father Sergio Nicolli, director of the Italian bishops' office for the family.
With the first Sunday of Advent, Nov. 28, the Italian Catholic bishops' new rites and rituals for the sacrament of matrimony go into effect; the texts currently in use were approved in 1969.
"Some of the changes," Father Nicolli said, "were the result of a deeper theological understanding, while others were motivated by cultural changes," including the fact that while the vast majority of Italians are baptized Catholics very few attend Mass regularly.
Most Italians were under the assumption, he said, that marriage in a Catholic church always took place within the celebration of a nuptial Mass.
"While we hope the marriage preparation period will ensure that the wedding is an occasion for renewing the practice of the faith," the new marriage guidelines make it clear that the couple's reception of Communion, even at their wedding, "is reserved to situations in which the couple is properly disposed."
Catholic brides or grooms who are not regular churchgoers or those marrying a non-Catholic are encouraged to use the option of a marriage rite with the celebration of the Liturgy of the Word, not a full Mass, "so that a spouse not able to receive Communion is not put in a situation of difficulty," he told Catholic News Service.
Father Nicolli's office and the bishops' conference liturgy office will introduce the new texts and guidelines to priests and marriage preparation coordinators during a Nov. 4-6 conference.
Two of the new options offered within the celebration of a wedding Mass, he said, "are beautiful."
Father Nicolli said he thinks the first suggestion is unique to Italy: The Catholic bride and groom may begin their procession to the altar from the baptismal font holding lighted candles.
"This emphasizes the strict connection between marriage and one's baptismal vocation," he said. "Marriage is a response to God's call."
The second option -- the recitation of a litany of saints before the vows are exchanged -- already is used in many countries, he said.
"Like at a priest's ordination, the couple can call on the assistance of the whole church, including the saints in heaven, to help them live their vocation faithfully," Father Nicolli said.
END
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