The Marriage Rite is a Sacrament of the Church, a solemn exchange of vows between a bride and a groom, and an act of worship on the part of all those present to offer thanks and praise for God’s blessings on the couple’s life together as husband and wife. All of the music before, during, and after the wedding liturgy reflects the Christian meaning of the Rite. Therefore, all music must be taken from the treasury of sacred repertoire.
Welcome to the Wedding Music Page!
Congratulations on your engagement! May this be a season of grace and heavenly blessing. This is a momentous and exciting time as a Catholic wedding is so much more than a social event – it is a sacrament in which a man and a woman become husband and wife in the presence of God; beginning their life-long journey towards sanctity by helping each other get to heaven. The musicians of the Cathedral look forward to providing you with the sacred music that will be a part of your special day. We have assembled the following list (see below) of approved music for you to review. If you’re not familiar with any of the pieces listed, you can often find versions online (YouTube, etc) to hear what they sound like. If you have a preference for a particular piece not listed in the selections you may request and we will see if we can approve it. Sacred or classical music that is not listed here can often be learned and incorporated into your service.
Please contact Benjamin O’Brien, Director of Sacred Music, at (906) 227-9122 or to start your planning, which must take place no less than 6 MONTHS prior to the date of your wedding. We ask you to wait to make any music plans or arrangements until this initial meeting has taken place. Once you have selected the readings for your wedding celebration, you are invited to listen to and choose from the many sacred music options found below for the Rite of Marriage.
Our commitment is to provide you with faith filled music to enhance your shared sacrament on this special day. Should you have any questions or concerns during your planning stages, please feel free to contact me and I will be happy to assist in any way that I can. Again, we welcome you to the Cathedral, and look forward to your special day.
In Christ,
Benjamin R. O’Brien
Diocesan Director of Sacred Music
St. Peter Cathedral, Marquette MI
Organist & Choirmaster
311 W Baraga Ave Marquette, MI 49855
(906) 227-9122
Mothers & Bridesmaids Processional:
Canon in D Johann Pachelbel
“Jesu Joy of Man’s Desiring” Cantata No. 147 J.S. Bach
Largo “Ombra mai fu” Xerxes G.F. Händel
“Aria” Organ Concerto #12, HWV 330 G.F. Händel
“Minuet” Berenice G.F. Händel
“Meditation” Thais Jules Massenet
“Air on G” Suite in D for Orchestra No. 3 BWV 1068 J.S. Bach
“Air” Water Music G.F. Händel
“Sheep May Safely Graze” Cantata No. 208 J.S. Bach
***Any of the pieces from the section “Marian Consecration” could also be used here
Bride & Father Processional:
Rigaudon Andre Campra
Trumpet Voluntary “Prince of Denmark’s March” Jeremiah Clarke
Trumpet Tune in D Henry Purcell
“Arioso” Adagio, Cantata BWV 156 J.S. Bach
“Nimrod” Enigma Variations No. IX (Adagio) Sir Edward Elgar
Crown Imperial (Coronation March 1937) William Walton
Processional in G John Stanley
Rondeau in D Jean-Joseph Mouret
***Any of the pieces from the section “Marian Consecration” could also be used here
Responsorial Psalm:
“The earth is full of the goodness of the Lord” Psalm 33
“I will praise your name forever, my king and my God” Psalm 145
“Here am I, Lord; I come to do your will” Psalm 40
“Let all the earth cry out to God with joy” Psalm 66
Presentation of the Gifts (Offertory):
The King Of Love My Shepherd Is Traditional Hymn, ST. COLUMBA
Ubi Caritas “Where charity and love are, there God is.” Bob Hurd
Ubi Caritas “Where charity and love are, there God is.” Traditional Gregorian Chant, Mode I
Be Thou My Vision Traditional Hymn, SLANE
For the Beauty of the Earth Traditional Hymn, DIX
Here I Am Lord Daniel Schutte
If Ye Love Me Thomas Tallis
Laudate Dominum W.A. Mozart
Communion:
Ave Verum Corpus W.A. Mozart
Ave Verum Corpus Sir Edward Elgar
Panis Angelicus César Franck
Soul of My Savior Traditional Hymn, ANIMA CHRISTI
Jesus, My Lord, My God, My All Traditional Hymn, SWEET SACRAMENT
Panis Angelicus Traditional Hymn, SACRIS SOLEMNIS
O Sacrament Most Holy Traditional Hymn, FULDA
Marian Consecration: (after Communion)
Ave Maria Franz Schubert
Ave Maria J.S. Bach/ Gounod
Ave Maria Michal Lorenc
Salve Regina Traditional Gregorian Chant, Mode V
Ave Maria Traditional Gregorian Chant, Mode I
Recessional:
Prelude & Fugue C Major BWV 553 J.S. Bach
“Prélude” from Te Deum M.A. Charpentier
Allegro Maestoso (Hornpipe) Water Music Suite #2 G.F. Händel
La Réjouissance (Royal Fireworks, HWV 351) G.F. Händel
Wedding March Felix Mendelssohn
Hallelujah Chorus G.F. Händel
Ode to Joy “Joyful Joyful We Adore Thee” L.V. Beethoven
Alleluia! Sing to Jesus Traditional Hymn, HYFRYDOL
Praise, My Soul, the King of Heaven Traditional Hymn, LAUDA ANIMA
Holy God, We Praise Thy Name Traditional Hymn, GROSSER GOTT
O God Beyond All Praising Traditional Hymn, THAXTED
All Creatures of Our God & King Traditional Hymn, LASST UNS ERFREUEN
Beautiful Savior Traditional Hymn, ST. ELIZABETH
O Sanctissima Traditional Marian Hymn, O DU FROHLICHE
Dear Engaged Couple,
Congratulations on your engagement and your desire to marry in the Catholic Church! I am glad that you want to celebrate your wedding here at St. Peter Cathedral, and we want to assist you in preparing for the Sacrament of Matrimony. You may be doing most of your marriage preparation in your local parish where you live, and in that case we will assist you mostly with the liturgy preparations. But if you live in or near Marquette, we’ll be helping you prepare for your marriage through resources we have here, mentor couples, and our clergy and parish staff.
The Catholic version of marriage reveals it to be a Sacrament, an encounter with the Lord that He has established in order to convey His grace to you. God instituted marriage as the one flesh union of a man and a woman, as a vocation or calling to help each other grow in love and holiness. St. John Paul II taught that we find ourselves through learning to make a sincere gift of ourselves. May the Lord draw you closer to Himself and to each other throughout these coming days.
Our marriage preparation process will help you prepare for not only the wedding, but for the life-long journey of marriage together in the Lord. Our Sacred Music Director, Benjamin O’Brien, will assist you in planning the music choices for your wedding, and I or my Associate Pastor or a Deacon will assist you in the other choices for Scripture and prayers for the liturgy.
As you prepare, please join us for Sunday Mass, come to the healing Sacrament of Confession, take time to pray and rest in the Lord’s presence in our beautiful Adoration Chapel and the Cathedral. Know that you will be in my prayers as you prepare and I look forward to accompanying you in your journey together!
In the Hearts of Jesus and Mary,
Msgr. Michael J. Steber, pastor