White Robed Monks of St. Benedict
Re: Weddings: Catholic and Others
Peace be with you!
We are an independent Catholic religious order in the Dutch (Old) Catholic tradition. We provide the Sacrament of Marriage to anyone so desiring. We charge no fees; donations are gratefully accepted. We serve Contemporary Catholics and Roman Catholics who are not able to be married in the Roman jurisdiction — because of a prior (non-annulled) marriage, a mixed creed union, or the couple's choice to be married in a setting other than a church building, such as in a garden, home, hotel, or at sea. In general, we serve all those whose needs their institutional church of origin is unable to meet.
For those wanting a Catholic wedding, the couple has the choice of a Nuptial Mass or Marriage Rite (without Mass). If a couple elects a Nuptial Mass, we have a practice of open Communion — everyone is welcome to partake in the Communion as each so chooses. Christ opened His arms to all.
Our priests and deacons are ordained in Roman or Independent Catholic jurisdictions. Our priests and deacons are officially affiliated with a Bishop. Hence, we can insure the sacramental integrity of their service to you, a spiritual reality that may concern you. (A priest or deacon is empowered by ordination to serve sacramentally. A priest or deacon is authorized to serve only when affiliated with a bishop, except in extreme emergency. When seeking a priest/deacon, simply ask the priest/deacon the name of that cleric's bishop. Only a bishop can authorize a priest/deacon to serve sacramentally. A federation or association of catholic priests/deacons, married or otherwise, may not grant such sacramental authorization and may not guarantee the integrity of its priests' or deacons' sacramental service to you.)
Given a Catholic Spirituality, we have had the opportunity to solemnize vows within the context of, among others: Buddhist, Buddhist-Catholic, Catholic or Protestant-Jewish, , Catholic-Muslim, Catholic-Hindu, Christian-Agnostic, Jewish, Jewish-Catholic, Hindu-Muslim, Muslim, Hindu and Taoist rites and recognizing Chinese customs as the case may be. We have used rites specific to the Filipino and Hispanic cultures (coins, rope, and veil). We also solemnize vows within the context of personally designed ceremonies. We are fluid, able to meet the specific needs and desires of a couple however each might want to solemnize their vows. (Our monastic sense of God, as such may be named or considered, is catholic: God is Love, God is one, we are children of The One. Hence, God as the Spiritual Source of All, loves each of us.)
We request that the couple and the officiating priest or deacon meet at least once. During this meeting, the couple and priest/deacon have the opportunity to get to know each other. They discuss the wedding ceremony and other pertinent details surrounding it. The priest/deacon presents the couple a packet of information about the White Robed Monks and a Marriage Packet with information about the marriage relationship. The Monks respect the integrity of the couple and their relationship. Hence, there are no required classes or other stipulations that the couple must satisfy to have a priest or deacon solemnize their vows. (If both parties are from different religious backgrounds, each might want to further appreciate the other's religious perspectives. If Christian, then the couple might want to review Christianity: One Reality, Catholic and Protestant Perspectives. If this is a remarriage and there are children from a prior relationship, then the couple might want to review On Kids: Divorced Parents and Remarriage.)
The White Robed Monks of St. Benedict, as an organization, is a member of JUNE WEDDING, Inc.®. For further assistance in planning your wedding celebration, we offer you The Internet's Premier Wedding Planning Site and The San Francisco Wedding Guide. You might also refer to our recommended Outstanding Vendors' Roster (San Francisco Bay Area) or Outstanding Vendors' Roster (Midwest/East).
If you wish further information about the White Robed Monks please refer to our Homepage. You might also check our Frequently Asked Questions (Marriage). Information is readily available about The Sacrament of Marriage under special circumstance or the like and Contemporary Catholics. For answers to specific questions, please contact Father Abbot.
To request a priest or deacon to officiate at your wedding, please submit via the Web a Marriage Petition as early as possible.
Peace and Joy to you and yours.
The White Robed Monks of St. Benedict
Return to Top of Page
Frequently Asked Questions (Marriage)
Marriage Petition
On Kids: Divorced Parents and Remarriage
On Money: Marriage and Economic Friction
Marriage Counseling/Parental Blackmail
Point of Departure: Contemporary Catholics
Christianity: One Reality, Two Perspectives (Catholic and Protestant)
Catholic Spirituality
Religion and Spirituality: Unity in Difference
The Order's Brochure
The Network's Brochure
Homepage
White Robed Monks of St. Benedict
Post Office Box 27536
San Francisco CA 94127-0536 USA
Phone: 415-292-3228
e-mail:webmaster@whiterobedmonks.org
Page URL: http://www.wrmosb.org/wed.html
Copyright © 1996-2005 White Robed Monks of St. Benedict
