This information is most helpful to couples and to their invited guests.
For Catholics:
Catholics fully participate in the celebration of the Eucharist when they receive Holy Communion in fulfillment of Christ’s command to eat His Body and drink his Blood. In order to be disposed properly to receive Communion, communicants should not be conscious of grave sin, have fasted for an hour, and seek to live in charity and love with their neighbors. Persons conscious of grave sin must first be reconciled with God and the Church through the Sacrament of Penance. A periodic reception of the sacrament of penance is encouraged for all.
For Other Christians:
We welcome to this celebration of the Eucharist those Christians who are not fully united with us. It is a consequence of the sad divisions in Christianity that we can not extend to them a general invitation to receive Communion. Catholics believe that the Eucharist is an action of the celebrating community signifying a oneness in faith, life, and worship of the community. Reception of the Eucharist by Christians not fully united with us would imply a oneness which does not yet exist, and for which we must all pray.
For Those Not Receiving Communion:
Those not receiving sacramental Communion are encouraged to express in their hearts a prayerful desire for unity with the Lord Jesus and with one another.
For Non-Christians:
We also welcome to this celebration those who do not share our faith in Jesus. While we cannot extend to them an invitation to receive Communion, we do invite them to be united with us in prayer.
Liturgical music in the Catholic tradition expresses and enhances the meaning of the Worship experience and promotes the prayer of the gathered assembly.
(Cf. Enclosed, Guide for Engaged Couples: concerning the use of Liturgical Music during the Celebration of the Sacrament of Christian Marriage)
Music selections must therefore include at least 2 congregational hymns or refrains, in addition to other appropriate musical selections.
Our Parish Director of Music/Organist is Mr. Donald Dame. He can assist engaged couples to plan the liturgical music program for their Marriage Liturgy, including selection of Hymns, Music, Instrumentalists, Soloist and/or Cantor. He should be contacted as soon as possible for planning purposes.
Use of Guest Musicians/Organists should be arranged with Mr. Donald Dame. Our Parish Personnel and compensation policy requires that each engaged couple offer the usual liturgical music stipend ($175.00), established by the Diocese, to Mr. Donald Dame, whether or not other organists are also invited to play at your Wedding Liturgy. The Cantor fee is $150.00.
Still photographers and videographers are welcome at St. Joseph. They should introduce themselves to the Celebrant prior to the Ceremony.
During the Liturgy, they should exercise professional discretion and respect for the sacred nature of the liturgical action; they should avoid extended distraction of the worshipping assembly.
No photographers or video person should be stationed at anytime in the marble Sanctuary area. No additional lighting is permitted in the Church.
Uncooperative persons will not be permitted to return for future weddings.
Unless a regularly scheduled Parish Mass follows the Wedding, photographers are welcome to return for additional photos after the Ceremony with the Wedding Party.
Suitable floral arrangements and/or plants are appropriate to adorn St. Joseph Church for a Wedding Liturgy. It’s historical beauty and Christian Stewardship of one’s resources precludes excessive use of flowers & plants.
Care must be taken to avoid attachment of bouquets to the ends of center aisle pews by means of tape or any other material that may damage or scratch the historic pews. (Elastic bands are permitted.)
Common courtesy dictates that couples plan to leave the floral arrangements in the Church after the wedding in order to continue their purpose as signs of praise and glory to God. (The Church is not a hotel, rented hall or courtroom for the couple’s use only.)
St. Joseph has limited resources to clean the Church beyond the regular maintenance schedule. Wedding parties may not remove or relocate Church tables or furnishings, nor use confetti, birdseed, rose petals or rice on Church property. Guest will be asked to leave the pews neat and clean of all debris, for the next Liturgy. Hymnals should be neatly stacked at the end of each pew. No programs, used tissue or other personal effects should be left in the pews.
Couples are welcome to arrange with their florists to rent or purchase a suitable Cloth or Facsimile Aisle Runner for their Wedding use, if desired. No aisle runner, however, is necessary. Use of plastic aisle runners is not advisable for liability and insurance limitations, and for the safety of wedding guests, especially as they approach and return from Communion, with high heels that rip the plastic.
The standard Wedding fee for parishioners registered and using the weekly stewardship envelopes is $200.00, payable by check to St. Joseph Church which is to be delivered to the Parish Office Manager at least 1 month prior to the wedding date.
If the couple requires any canonical dispensations or annulment of a prior Marriage, certain additional Diocesan fees to partially fund these costs will be requested.
If the couple or at least 1 of the engaged is not a registered member of the Parish for at least 1 year prior to the arranging for the wedding, the wedding fee is $500.00.
For all couples, additional donation is to be made by check & payable to St. Joseph Church Endowment Fund, as a contribution toward the preservation and maintenance of this oldest standing Catholic Church in the City of Providence. In the past 2 years engaged couples have offered gifts ranging from $125. to $1,000.
A customary donation of $20.00 is suggested to be offered to the Altar Server by the Best Man. It is also customary for the couple to express their appreciation to the Celebrant of their Wedding.
If a couple wishes the Celebrant to offer grace and join their family at the Wedding Reception/Banquet, kindly extend the invitation as far in advance as possible for schedule planning. Due to other parish liturgical commitments, priests are often unable to attend the banquet following the Liturgy. In that case, the Grace and Blessing before the meal should be offered by an adult Catholic who practices his/her Faith and is in good standing with the Church.
A copy of the Marriage Sacramental Certificate will be prepared and given to the couple by the Celebrant at the end of the Liturgy or at the reception following the Liturgy.
A newly-married couple should formally and promptly complete Parish registration in the Catholic Parish of their new residence, and plan to worship and share their time, talents and treasure with their new community.