When one thinks of a traditional wedding march, the tune that probably comes to mind is Felix Mendelssohn’s “Wedding March” from his incidental music to Shakespeare’s play “A Midsummer Night’s Dream.” It has become a staple in modern-day weddings and is often played during the bride’s grand entrance. However, what many people don’t know is that the Catholic Church, at one point, banned the piece from being played during religious services. In this blog post, we’ll delve into the reasons why the Catholic Church did so, the controversies that surround it, and the impact it has had on modern-day Catholic weddings.
The History of the Wedding March
Mendelssohn’s “Wedding March” was not originally composed for wedding ceremonies. It was part of an incidental score that he wrote in 1843 for a performance of Shakespeare’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” in Berlin. The play itself is set in a mythical forest, and Mendelssohn’s music captures the whimsical and playful nature of the story. The “Wedding March” comes at the end of the play, during the wedding of the main characters, Theseus and Hippolyta.
The piece gained popularity after it was played at the wedding of Queen Victoria’s daughter, Victoria, to Frederick III of Prussia in 1858. The use of the piece at a high-profile royal wedding made it a hit worldwide, and soon it became a common choice for wedding processions.
The Catholic Church’s Ban
The Catholic Church did not always have a ban on the “Wedding March.” In fact, the piece was played during many Catholic weddings in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. However, in 1904, the Vatican issued a decree that banned the use of the piece in any form of worship. The reason for the ban was not because the music itself was deemed inappropriate, but rather because of its origins.
The plot of Shakespeare’s play focuses on a pagan god and goddess and is filled with fairies, magic, and fantasy. Due to the piece’s pagan, fantastic inspirations, some leaders and musicians — particularly in Roman Catholic churches — have found the piece to be inappropriate for a Christian religious ceremony.
The Controversy Surrounding the Ban
The Vatican’s decree caused a lot of controversy among Catholics at the time. Some argued that the piece was not explicitly pagan and that it was acceptable to use in a religious ceremony if played in a more conservative and reverent style. Others claimed that the church should not be meddling in matters of artistic expression and that the ban was an undue restriction on artistic freedom.
In response to the ban, some musicians and composers created new pieces specifically for Catholic weddings. One such piece was Charles Gounod’s “Ave Maria,” which became a popular alternative for couples who wanted a more traditional and religious piece for their wedding procession.
The Impact on Modern Catholic Weddings
The ban on Mendelssohn’s “Wedding March” has since been lifted, and it is now once again allowed to be played during Catholic weddings. However, the controversy surrounding the piece and the ban on it have had a lasting impact on the way that Catholics approach music in their religious ceremonies.
Today, many Catholic couples choose to avoid secular pieces altogether and opt for more traditional religious hymns and songs. This is in part due to the Vatican’s decree and the controversy surrounding the use of secular music in religious ceremonies. However, it is also reflective of a broader shift in Catholicism in recent years towards a more traditional and conservative approach to worship.
Conclusion
Mendelssohn’s “Wedding March” has become an iconic piece of music that is synonymous with modern-day weddings. Its popularity has endured despite the controversies and bans surrounding its use in religious ceremonies. Although the Catholic Church did once ban the piece, it has since been allowed back into Catholic weddings, albeit with a more cautious approach to secular music in religious services.
Ultimately, the story of the “Wedding March” and its Catholic Church ban sheds light on the intersection of religious and artistic traditions, as well as the ongoing tensions between modernity and tradition within Catholicism.
FAQ
Why is the wedding march not allowed?
The ‘Wedding March’ is a very popular piece of classical music often used to accompany a bride’s walk down the aisle during weddings. However, despite its popularity, the ‘Wedding March’ is not allowed in some churches and religious institutions.
The ‘Wedding March’ was composed by Felix Mendelssohn in 1842 as part of his music works for A Midsummer Night’s Dream, a play by William Shakespeare. The play features a Pagan god and goddess and is centred around a group of fairies performing magic spells. As a result, some religious leaders, particularly in the Roman Catholic churches, found the piece to be inappropriate for Christian ceremonies because of the Pagan references.
Some churches and religious institutions have decided to ban the use of the ‘Wedding March’ from their wedding ceremonies due to these religious concerns. Instead, couples may be required to choose from a limited selection of approved pieces or to have a religious hymn or song specially composed for their wedding.
However, it’s worth noting that not all religious institutions hold this view, and many churches still allow the use of the ‘Wedding March’ during wedding ceremonies.
The ‘Wedding March’ is not allowed in some religious institutions due to its association with a Pagan play, but it is still a widely popular piece of music used in many wedding ceremonies worldwide.
Why is Here Comes the Bride banned?
“Here Comes the Bride” is a popular classical piece of music that has been traditionally played during the wedding procession, typically during the bride’s entrance. However, there are some churches, particularly in the United Kingdom and some parts of the United States, that discourage or even ban the use of this musical selection in their wedding ceremonies.
The reason for this ban is primarily due to the secular nature of the music. “Here Comes the Bride” was originally written as part of the operatic score for Richard Wagner’s “Lohengrin,” and the song’s lyrics and melody were not intended to be used for religious services.
Furthermore, some churches believe that the playing of secular music during wedding ceremonies detracts from the solemnity and religious meaning of the occasion. Since the wedding ceremony is considered a holy sacrament in many religious traditions, it is crucial to honor and preserve the sanctity of the event.
Additionally, some churches discourage the use of “Here Comes the Bride” due to its association with the German composer Richard Wagner. Wagner was known for his intense anti-Semitic beliefs, which included writing racist screeds and promoting violence against Jewish people. Some Jewish wedding guests may be offended or uncomfortable hearing music associated with an infamous anti-Semite.
The ban on “Here Comes the Bride” is attributed to its secular origins and association with a notoriously racist composer. However, it’s worth noting that not all churches adhere to this ban, and some couples still choose to use the song during their wedding procession. the decision to play this or any other piece of music during a wedding ceremony should be left up to the couple and their officiant.
Is Bridal Chorus allowed in the Catholic Church?
The use of the Bridal Chorus in Catholic Church weddings has been a topic of debate for quite some time. Also known as “Here Comes the Bride,” the Bridal Chorus is a procession song that is traditionally played during the bride’s walk down the aisle. While the song has been a popular choice in weddings for centuries, the position of the Catholic Church on its use is somewhat unclear.
In 1971, the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Sacraments released a statement that forbade the use of the Bridal Chorus in the Marriage Rite. The reason for this decision was that the Rite itself states that the bride and groom should walk down the aisle with the priest and ministers and that an entrance song should accompany them. While this ruling may have seemed to settle the matter, there is still some disagreement about whether or not the Bridal Chorus is totally forbidden in Catholic weddings.
Some couples still choose to use the Bridal Chorus in their Catholic wedding ceremonies, and some dioceses and individual churches may allow it. However, it is important to keep in mind that the Catholic Church is steeped in tradition, and many couples may want to consider alternative entrance songs that are more in line with the Church’s teachings.
Furthermore, the Bridal Chorus is not a religious piece of music, and its origins can be traced back to composer Richard Wagner’s opera Lohengrin. This may cause some Catholic couples and clergy to question the appropriateness of using a secular piece of music in a Catholic wedding ceremony.
In addition to the theological and cultural considerations, there are also legal implications to consider. In some countries, the use of copyrighted music in a public performance may require a license. This would mean that couples would need to obtain a license from the copyright holder to use the Bridal Chorus in their wedding ceremony.
Whether or not the Bridal Chorus is allowed in a Catholic wedding depends on various factors, including the couple’s preferences, the guidance of their church, and legal considerations. Regardless of what music is chosen for a wedding ceremony, the most important thing is that the wedding is a sacred celebration of the couple’s commitment to each other and to the Catholic faith.