That Little Gold Ring You Wear On Your Hand

Mrs. Nod and I attended a lovely Nuptial Mass of a family friend this weekend.

The liturgy was joyful, the bride was beautiful, and the young lovers were radiant with their love for one another. I confess to feeling a touch of emotion as I watched them profess their vows.

One of the things that I had forgotten after 17 years of marriage was the rings. It seems silly to say since I look at mine daily and have never taken it off.

Ok, I didn't forget about the wedding rings per se, what I was reminded about them is that they are blessed objects.  As Catholics we know that the thing that makes you married in the sight of God is the consent -- the words, not the rings. The couple is the agent of the sacrament; the Church is the witness.

I, (Name), take you, (Name), to be my wife. I promise to be true to you in good times and in bad, in sickness and in health. I will love you and honor you all the days of my life.

The wedding can take place without the rings.  The priest at our wedding told us that if the best man lost the rings that he would just continue without them. The rings are the most visible outward sign of marriage. (I might argue that the six Nodlings tend to give that away.)

But we did have the rings and the priest did bless them.

Lord, bless these rings which we bless in your name.
Grant that those who wear them
may always have a deep faith in each other.
May they do your will
and always live together
in peace, good will, and love.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.

The question arises: does this make the rings sacramentals? If sacramentals, does that give them special efficacy? Regardless if they are sacramentals or merely blessed objects we should regard them with the reverence and care they are due.

No one is kissing my ring like a holy relic, but all the same I am waving my sacramental around all day without realizing it.

That reminds me, after six Nodlings, Mrs. Nod can't fit her wedding ring on her finger comfortably and needs it enlarged slightly. Forget the diamond, I want that sacramental back on her hand!

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Join RAnn for Sunday Snippets--A Catholic Carnival,  for the Question of the Week :  Share a family sacramental memory.

Let Them Eat Cake

In this case, a white rose cake on a silver plate on the stage of the Morris Performing Arts Center. The cake matched my cousin's wedding gown which was also covered in white roses.  The reception was held literally "on stage" at the Morris (originally called the Palace Theater), since my cousin is a performer and professional dancer (when she is not using her architectural degree from Notre Dame).

[Morris Center] The Palace Theatre was built in 1921 as a vaudeville house and part of the Orpheum theatre chain. In its early days, vaudeville shows ran continuously with a new act every ten minutes. Patrons could obtain admission for just 22 cents and enjoy the day’s new acts as they made their way on and off the stage.

At its inception, the interiors of the theater were glorious. Old roses, blues and creams predominated and not one singular architectural style could define the whole of the structure. The architect, J.S. Aroner from Chicago envisioned the theater as a little palace; a place in which theatergoers could feel as if they were royalty. A trip through the theater was intended to make a patron feel as if she had just made a trip through Europe. With many different architectural styles including Baroque, Spanish Renaissance, Greco-Roman and even a little Art Deco, patrons entered intricately detailed and carefully planned interiors when they entered “The Palace.” 

The cocktail hour was held in the Grand Lobby. My brothers and I got to play doormen in our tuxes and white gloves. You went to the box office to get your "ticket" and then mingled with the other "patrons" at the bar. At the appropriate time, the chimes were rung, my brother and I opened the main doors to the theater, and the "audience" was seated.

Grand Lobby (Photo: MorrisCenter.org)

The inside of the theater is just as grand. After the curtain went up and the bridal party was announced, the bride and groom enjoyed their first dance under the spotlight on stage. After that the guests were invited up on stage for "dinner and dancing".  It was quite the production.

Arch and Stage (Photo: MorrisCenter.org)

It's amazing what people will do if you just don a tuxedo and some white gloves - they just follow your every direction. I may have to take these to work -- or better yet, wear them at home for the Nodlings.

Notre Dame Road Trip

Just got back from my cousin's wedding at Notre Dame. The Cathedral is awesomely beautiful. Here are a couple of quick pictures from inside. This doesn't begin to capture the beauty of this church dedicated to Our Lady.

The first one is a long shot from the back of the church looking towards the altar. The church extends for a fair bit behind the altar. In fact that was where we heard Mass from for the Feast of the Assumption today (televised, no less).

Notre Dame Cathedral

The second picture is the Notre Dame choir loft from which my brother and I sang for my cousin's wedding. My, but the sound carries from there - great view too. Nobody can see if you're counting on your fingers from there. I guess I can cross this off my bucket list.

Notre Dame Choir Loft

Finally, I was entranced by the holy oils ensconced in their own place of honor at the entrance of the church near the baptismal font (which is 80+ degrees!). From the left you can see the Oil of Catechumens, Holy Chrism, and Oil of the Sick.

Notre Dame Holy Oils

I'll elaborate after I've gotten some rest. Ciao!

Here We Go Again

So we got through my sister's wedding, we sang our song, people were laughing and crying (whether it was our singing we're not sure). But hey, Mom and Sis were happy so who cares?

Yes, I've seen the recording and no, I'm not posting it anywhere. Despite assurances to the contrary, some things are better remembered than revisited. Hey, I'm glad you liked it, just let me fade back into the chorus where I belong.

Alas, not so. Now my cousin is getting married next week and I'll be singing a duet with my brother. Heck, all I have to do is get through The Gift of Love by Hal Hopson and it'll be fine. (It's just that I don't count well, especially when I'm nervous.) It's not like I'm singing the Ave Maria like some people.  I had a taste of public singing back in my high school musical days and that's enough. I can perform if I have to, but other people like my brother got the whole ham bone - they actually revel in it.

I meant to say no, but my cousin is too sweet, an only child, and well, we're family. I should have done it by email, but nooooo, I had to talk to her in person. Too late!

Now I have to learn a new piece by Saturday. A-one and a-two and a - drat! start again ...

Hitched

Congratulations to my Sister and her husband on their recent wedding! You guys make a great couple, and you looked beautiful, Sis.

Dona Nobis Pacem: Give Us A Break

I must really love my sister.

Not only are we going out of town for her "destination" wedding (she lives locally), incurring the expense of transporting 7 people, blah, blah, blah, but also now I'm singing at the wedding?! I haven't sung in front of people for more than ten years now, except in church.

Fortunately, I'm not alone. My father and one of my brothers are also roped into this shin-dig. All I have to do is sing this simple little round of Dona Nobis Pacem. It's - what - two minutes of my life? How can something so simple take up such a large part of my time and energy? It's nervous energy to be sure.


We're practicing, going to a vocal coach for a few crash course lessons, and working on "blending". Right now, I'll settle for hitting all the notes right. We're doing it a capella, so it's just us and a sheet of music. We're making progress - we went from awful to halfway decent. There's still a week or so to improve a bit more.

I warned her that it might not sound all that good. She says she just wants us to sing as a gift of thoughtfulness rather than ability. OK, Sis, hope you really, really appreciate this, 'cause that's what you're getting. I must be awesome in the thoughtfulness department.

Sigh. Family.