Full Mass and Catholic Weddings

Came across this while reading for today, and it was really helpful and interesting to read on why it is important to have a full mass ceremony for our wedding. It just makes me that much more excited for the ceremony!

II. The Celebration of Marriage
1621
In the Latin Rite the celebration of marriage between two Catholic faithful normally takes place during Holy Mass, because of the connection of all the sacraments with the Paschal mystery of Christ.120 In the Eucharist the memorial of the New Covenant is realized, the New Covenant in which Christ has united himself for ever to the Church, his beloved bride for whom he gave himself up.121 It is therefore fitting that the spouses should seal their consent to give themselves to each other through the offering of their own lives by uniting it to the offering of Christ for his Church made present in the Eucharistic sacrifice, and by receiving the Eucharist so that, communicating in the same Body and the same Blood of Christ, they may form but "one body" in Christ.122
1622
"Inasmuch as it is a sacramental action of sanctification, the liturgical celebration of marriage . . . must be, per se, valid, worthy, and fruitful."123 It is therefore appropriate for the bride and groom to prepare themselves for the celebration of their marriage by receiving the sacrament of penance.
1623
According to the Latin tradition, the spouses as ministers of Christ's grace mutually confer upon each other the sacrament of Matrimony by expressing their consent before the Church. In the traditions of the Eastern Churches, the priests (bishops or presbyters) are witnesses to the mutual consent given by the spouses,124 but for the validity of the sacrament their blessing is also necessary.125
1624
The various liturgies abound in prayers of blessing and epiclesis asking God's grace and blessing on the new couple, especially the bride. In the epiclesis of this sacrament the spouses receive the Holy Spirit as the communion of love of Christ and the Church.126 The Holy Spirit is the seal of their covenant, the ever-available source of their love and the strength to renew their fidelity.

source: usccb.org

Lessons...

I have seen this quote so many times. I know Grandpa and Margaret have told me this mores time than I can remember. As the wedding nears, this quote means more to me now than ever.

In just a few months, I will be getting married to the best thing that ever happened to me. I am marrying my best friend. I am so lucky. Nick is so amazing, people do not even realize. He is smart, intelligent, caring, and funny. He loves me for me. Even in my crankiest moments he can still stop and hug me. He pushes me to follow my dreams. He is my biggest fan. He is so humble. He inspires me to achieve great things. He would do anything for me. I would do anything for him.

We are entering a major journey together and will push one another to grow as the years pass. We will follow our dreams, and go on this adventure together. I am truly blessed. I am so excited to be able to have this beautiful wedding with him that we will remember forever. We both know how much we love one another, but now we can show our friends and family truly how amazing our relationship is. I do not know what I did right the day he came into my life, but I am sure happy it did.

Life is not always perfect, but getting through it together makes the trip worthwhile.

John McCain for President!

Update about life later on today.

This angers me.

The City of Berkeley makes me sick. Not too sure if it has been on the news a lot down south, but it has up here.

Here is the inital story

Here is a link to an article from CNN about this issue

I don't usually get this upset about issues facing our country, but for some reason this has really angered me. I am proud to be an American and I support our country no matter what. I think what this city has done is disgusting.

The things that this local government has come out and said would NEVER be allowed to be said anywhere else. They would be killed for what they have declared.

This is turning into Vietnam all over again.

Don’t they realize that the soldiers are over in the Middle East hearing these stories, do you think that makes them feel good? NO. It makes them feel like what they are doing is wrong. They are protecting us, and helping others who are not as lucky as we are.

It is so hypocritical to say you support the troops, but you don’t support the war. Most people don’t understand that difference.

The sad thing is that if something were to happen in this area the military would still be there to support and protect them.

"Americans are a free people, who know that freedom is the right of every person and the future of every nation. The liberty we prize is not America's gift to the world; it is God's gift to humanity."--George W. Bush

Wedding Accesories

So mom and I have been trying to figure out what to get for wedding accessories, and thought you would like to see what we have so far.

Ring Bearer Pillow
Finding all the little things is going to be the hardest part I just don't know.

Monday Ramblings.

So after this weekend, all the big things are done for the wedding! Even if we do not do anything else we will have a beautiful wedding. such a great thing. :)

Mom and I have been working lots of getting all the little things and now we just have to order them.

Here are the centerpieces we got. Except for the center is a candle option not the floral option. We are going to put red votive candles in them, and put red rose petals all over the table, and everything else will be white (chair covers and tablecloth) and the napkins will be red. I TOTALLY love them.

Since all the major things are done, I can start working on my outfits for the honeymoon. I have 11 days to plan for, but I am sure I will wear some outfits a couple times. The good thing is that we do not have to change hotels, and I do not have to buy plug converters since our hotel comes with it. So I am going to start getting little things here and there and build a cute little European wardrobe. Here is one outfit I love!
Clothes ideas

Nick and I have been dating 3 years tomorrow. So very exciting and very special to us. February is definitely the love month here! February 5th- Anniversary February 14th- Valentine's day February 17th- Day we got engaged. We are so happy, and are sure that the happiness will only grow as the years pass!

I found a video of the hotel we are staying in, and I think this is the type of room we are going to stay in. Pretty nice if you ask me!!!!!!



That's it for today. Long day at school, time to watch some TV and hit the hay.

Love, Kaitlin

Don't forget to wear red today!

Today is National Wear Red Day, promoted by the American Heart Association's Go Red For Women campaign. The purpose of the campaign is to raise awareness of heart disease and stroke in women. Although most women are more concerned about breast and other cancers, stroke is the third leading cause of death for American women and twice as many women die of stroke than breast cancer every year. Stroke and heart disease will kill twice as many women as cancer.

For more information: Go Red For Women

Also, if you go to Macy's today and are wearing red you get 15%off.